13th March 2024 Newsletter
PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
Dear Members
First and most importantly, I would like to draw your attention to the recent email from NZIF outlining the essential details for voting in the upcoming election for Council and the Registration Board. Your participation in this process is vital as it not only reflects a vibrant membership but also ensures your voices are heard. I urge each and every one of you to cast your votes as soon as possible, as the deadline approaches swiftly at the end of this month.
Moving forward, I am delighted to share some updates regarding our leadership team. With only one nomination each for the positions of President and Vice President, I will be continuing in my role until June 2026. Additionally, I am thrilled to announce that Adrian Loo will be stepping into the Vice President role from July of this year. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Adrian and eagerly anticipate the collaborative efforts we will undertake over the next two years.
On an international front, we have been diligently working with forestry associations from Canada, the UK, and Australia to establish an exchange program. Later this year, we will be calling for nominations for two young foresters to partake in a three-month exchange program in one of the aforementioned countries. Likewise, each participating country will send two of its members to one of the other countries. We aim to secure employment opportunities for successful candidates where the employer will provide compensation during their tenure. While candidates will be responsible for organising their visas and accommodation, we will offer assistance with airfares and pocket money.
If you find yourself interested in participating in this programme, please keep an eye out for nomination details, likely to be announced post-June. Similarly, if you wish to host a candidate for three months, please inform Veronica at NZIF. Ideally, we hope to facilitate an exchange where the employer of the successful New Zealand candidate reciprocates by hiring one of the successful candidates from the other participating associations.
In other news, you may be aware he Minister has announced a review into the costs of the ETS. We are closely monitoring this development, although the timeframe is tight (six weeks). We anticipate hearing about the appointed auditor/reviewer imminently. As mentioned in my previous column, we will persist with the Judicial Review process until we are confident the fees have undergone a thorough review and adjustment.
Lastly, I am thrilled to inform you the NZ Forest and Wood Sector Forum convened last week and formalised an accord, which you can peruse later in this newsletter. Establishing this forum marks a significant milestone, and I believe it will serve as a powerful platform for advocating and promoting all facets of forestry and forest products.
As always, I extend my gratitude for your support and dedication to our industry. Together, let us continue to propel our profession forward with passion and purpose.
Regards
James
Signing of the NZ Forest & Wood Sector Forum Accord
Final signing of the NZ Forest & Wood Sector Forum Accord took place last week. 
Left to right:
Brian Cox, Bioenergy Association
Jeff Ilott, TIF
James Treadwell, NZIF
Te Kapunga Dewes, Ngā Pou a Tāne
Elizabeth Heeg, NZFOA
Neil Cullen, NZFFA
Joe Akari, FISC
Prue Younger, FICA
Absent: Warwick Wilshier, LTSC – Mark Ross, WPMA
LOCAL SECTION EVENTS
Northland's End of Year Catch-up
Our Northland group gathered in Whangarei, providing a wonderful opportunity to connect with newcomers who had recently relocated to the area. Alongside the fresh faces, we were delighted to welcome foresters from various regions across New Zealand who had come up to lend their support at the CATE conference. It was a great chance to mingle and exchange experiences with both old and new acquaintances alike.
Nelson Workshop: Indigenous Planting - achieving greater success in native plantings
You are invited to an informal presentation to share advice on achieving greater success in native plantings including species selection, methods of establishment, and longer term maintenance requirements.
Alongside Te Uru Rākau advisors, hear from some of those who have been involved in larger scale restoration projects in the region about the opportunities but also the pitfalls to watch out, for in establishing native plantings that require minimal ongoing care and highest chances of success. Te Uru Rakau is also interested in hearing what the barriers and issues are for the sector in achieving goals for native, and how the Service can better support these goals whether its protecting existing indigenous vegetation, planting riparian margins, or retiring larger erosion prone slopes.
Topic: Indigenous planting workshop
Covering:
- Key considerations such as species selection, timing, plant grades
- Maintenance requirements including ungulate management
- Methods – reversion, assisted reversion, reconstruction – and the constraints and opportunities for each
- Building on existing remnants, corridors and riparian areas with real world experience detailing where the failures might happen and what to watch out for.
Speakers: Susan Moore-Lavo, Te Uru Rākau, Kumanu and Fiona Eade
When: Wednesday 20th March, 6:00 – 7:00pm
Where: Whakatu Room, Nelson MPI Office, 118 Vickerman Street, Port Nelson
This is an in-person event only.
Registrations close: Tuesday, 19th March 2024
Nelson Presentation: Using LiDAR metrics to estimate Tree Height, DBH & Carbon Content
With new technologies the likes of LiDAR becoming more frequently available, the forestry industry has the potential to increase our understanding of forest volumes for a broad spectrum of benefits.
You are invited to come along and attend a presentation from Euan Mason, who will be presenting on his experience with LiDAR metrics to estimate tree height, tree DBHs and carbon content.
Topic: Using LiDAR metrics to estimate Tree Height, DBH & Carbon Content.
Speaker: Euan Mason
When: Thursday 18th April, 16:00 – 17:30pm
Where: Kārearea room at the OneFortyOne Office, 58A Gladstone Road, Richmond
This is an in-person event only.
Registrations close: Wednesday, 17th April 2024
REGISTRATION BOARD UPDATE
From the Registrar 13th March 2024
APPLICATION FOR REGISTERED MEMBER
- Matt Pedersen of Whangarei
NOTICE OF 5 YEAR REGISTRATION REVIEW
The following Members are now due for their 5-Year review of registration which must be completed no later than 31 May 2024:
- Martin Watson of Christchurch
- Peter Handford of Paekakariki
- Patrick Milne of Christchurch
Any member of the NZIF has the right to object to an application. Any objection should be lodged with the registrar at registrar@nzif.org.nz within 20 working days of the first appearance of the notice in this newsletter, specifying the grounds for the objection.
The following Members are now Registered Members, agreed by Board on 15th February 2024.
Riki Green
Scott Henry
Tim Payne
Jasmine Keaney
Peter Gorman, Registrar
NZIF Registration Board
registrar@nzif.org.nz
+64 21 166 5938
