24th April 2024 Newsletter
PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
This week I am looking for member's feedback whether directly or via this newsletter. As we start planning for the next two years I am interested to know what aspects of NZIF you appreciate and what you think could be improved. What do you want to see more of? What are we not doing but you feel we should? What is the most valuable thing NZIF offers you? It would be good to get your feedback over the next month before the combined councils (this one and the next one) sit down to plan the next two years. Your feedback will shape the future direction of your association.
There is a lot we offer members, below is a mind map of the majority. Attached (and hidden so we can fit the map on a page) to each of these are additional projects and goals. When I look at it like this I start to understand why we require so much volunteer time. As you review it, consider whether there are areas that raise questions or aspects that you feel are missing. Please let me know what these are. 
As we ponder the goals for the next two years, I continue to try to get clarity from this Government on their goals in relation to NZ forests and forestry. I must admit it is like pulling hen’s teeth with little progress. However, I will not stop asking until clarity is achieved. Next week I will be meeting Ray Smith (DG MPI) to address key policy issues and seek insights into MPI's goals and projects.
In the spirit of collaboration, we're also reaching out for sponsors for this year's conference in Nelson, scheduled for September. If your company hasn't yet joined as a sponsor, we invite you to consider the opportunity. Your support not only enhances the conference experience but also allows us to keep registration fees affordable, facilitating broader participation and professional development opportunities for our members. The conference team is putting together a great program, including three field trip options!
As we transition to the new Council and roles are established, I will clearly communicate via this newsletter who is responsible for what area above. As responsible people will be volunteers, if you feel you have time and the ability to contribute I encourage you to contact the relevant responsible person and offer to help out. I am 99.9% positive they will gratefully accept any help they can get. NZIF is a membership organisation for members. How successfully it is providing for members has always been reliant on member's willingness to provide help. Over the last few years this has noticeably dropped off (can we blame this on Covid), and it would be fantastic to see more members raising their hand to help out, be it for a local section committee, for one of the working parties or national committees, to help with complaints, or to help draft policy or submissions. If you feel you have the time, please raise your hand.
Lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude to all those who are volunteering their time and expertise to enhance NZIF for the benefit of all members. Your contributions are invaluable and deeply appreciated. Thank you all. For interests sake I did a rough count up and these volunteers make up about 5% of our members. Imagine the impact we could have if we could increase volunteer participation to 10% of our membership.
I look forward to hearing back from you. We have a lot to do over the next two years.
Thanks
James
KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP
NZIF Centennial - Expressions of Interest
Thanks to the few that have put their name forward, but as the saying goes "many hands make lights work" so we are still waiting to hear from you. NZIF’s centennial will be 2027. The President is looking for volunteers to organise, set up and run events throughout the year including:
- The annual conference (which will also be an ANZIF conference based in NZ).
- A centennial celebration dinner with invited guests and one-off awards celebrating our members.
- Local centennial celebrations within each of our regional sections.
- Centennial CPD events around the history of NZ forests and professional foresters.
- Future Forests celebration of 100 years of professional foresters.
- … and more.
Any member who wishes to be part of the organising committee please contact Veronica at nzifoffice@nzif.org.nz.
It is expected the time commitment will initially be a two hour meeting on-line once a month, growing to shorter weekly meetings as we approach 2027.
Membership Subscriptions Renewal Date - 1st April 2024
Hey there! Just a friendly reminder that your membership renewals have gone out for the 2024_2025. We've got some awesome stuff lined up for the coming year, and we'd hate for you to miss out! It's super important to keep your NZIF profile updated so you don't miss any cool updates or events. We're all about supporting our members and we love hearing from you too! Looking forward to having you with us for another great year!
Ex Students: If you are now working full time for an organisation and want to remain a member then you need to complete the upgrade form. If you do not want to renew your membership, and we would hate this to happen, you need to submit a resignation email to NZIF.
All Members: It is really helpful if you could log in and view your profile to ensure it is up to date with current contact details, a secondary email is useful should you leave where you are and forget to let us know. Staying in touch with you means a lot to us, and we'd really appreciate your help in keeping that connection alive.
What we have on offer to NZIF Members
Have you read the latest Journal of Forestry? Latest issue is out now!
The NZIF Forestry Handbook is always being updated. Always some good reading to be found.
NZIF Foundation Scholarships will be coming up again this year and they are always happy to receive any donations.
For our young foresters, remember to connect with the Future Foresters
The Salary Survey is up for review soon but members can still access all the information in the members areas: Salary Survey
SEEDLING DISTRIBUTION
A follow-on from last week: Dave's time in Forestry.
The 1980s was a time of turmoil. The out posts of the NZ Forest Service closed and all jobs lost from 1984 onwards. This was the biggest social upheaval of our time with 2nd and 3rd generational unemployment now common in the regions. In 1987 grapes and kiwifruit were pulled out and farm subsidies taken away.
The perception, as happening again now, was that the rural and primary producers are wealthy. In 1988 we had Cyclone Bola, which has been the forerunner of our regular cyclones. The Gisborne District Council and newly formed Ministry of Forestry started the “East Coast Pine Project” to plant on the severe class of land which was already mapped by the East Coast Catchment Board, (E.C.C.B.)
There was a 70% subsidy and a lot of the targeted land class was planted in the next 4 – 5 years. Dave was the Forest Supervisor on the project until 1992 with up to 3000 HA planted per year when combined with private enterprise as investment forests. There was no tracking or land prep, just fence it and plant it, so we had to fly a lot of the blocks.
Dave did 20 winters planting on the East Coast.
In the 1990s farms with the biggest planted areas sold out to Forestry. Any remaining unplanted areas were then planted which eventually created the forests that are here today.
Question? If the tax payer subsidised these forests via the land classification maps ex E.C.C.B & G.D.C why were these areas not covenanted to have controls in place come harvesting.
Some of which has not been replanted.
From 1996 onwards Dave lived in Waihi and worked in Whitford, Maramarua, Tairua, Crowhain, Glengary and other private forests. The anomaly with Daves planting was a high survival rate (95% +) as opposed to previous work on coastal blocks that had low survival and constantly required blanking. A contributing factor was Dave carting his own seedlings overnight (approx.) 20K per load in those days. These were in the ground the next day, 5 to 6 days per week.
This led on to doing seedling distribution for others, with most trucks being chillers now. Dave has completed 50 years of Forestry and is still fully committed to Nursery & Forestry distribution of seedlings for the future.
If you wish to talk further to Dave then please contact him using the details above.
FOUNDATION NEWS UPDATE
Chavasse Award
This report was written by the recipient of this award: Serajis Salekin
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the NZIF Foundation for the Chavasse travel award, which enabled me to have this enriching experience."
5th International Congress on Planted Forests: 7-10 November 2023
Conference tagline: Planted forests, an essential nature-based solution to meet growing needs in wood products, restore forest ecosystems, and mitigate climate change.
Venue: CIFOR-ICRAF Campus, Nairobi, Kenya.
Organising Dommittee: IUFRO Planted Forests Task Force and EFI Research Network.
Opening statement from FAO (Representative, Kenya): Planted forests must produce more, be diverse and socially acceptable, as well as protect those who cannot speak for themselves.
Attendees: Representatives from 27 countries.
The conference commenced with an address by Gitonga Mugambi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Kenya. He outlined Kenya’s plan to plant 13.7 billion trees in the next 20 years, along with research and training for various sectors.
Picture: With the Scion team (Serajis Salekin, Henri Bailleres, Grace Villamor).
RECRUITMENT REACH ADVERTISING
Are you seeking top talent to join your team in the forestry industry? Look no further! NZIF is delighted to offer you a prime opportunity to showcase your job vacancies in our fortnightly newsletter and on our dedicated Situation Vacant webpage.
Why advertise with NZIF:
- Direct Targeting: Reach professionals who are actively involved in the forestry industry to make sure they are aware of your job openings and have an interest in them.
- Enhanced Visibility: Amplify your recruitment efforts by featuring your vacancies in our newsletter, gaining exposure among our industry network.
- Streamlined Recruitment: Simplify your hiring process and connect with the perfect candidates efficiently.
- Community Engagement: Strengthen your connection with potential candidates who are actively involved in the forestry community.
Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to find your next team member! EMAIL NOW!
Download the booking form to learn more about advertising and the cost of placing your job vacancies with NZIF.
Join us in shaping the future of forestry talent recruitment!
2024 NZIF NELSON CONFERENCE
NZIF Conference - Working hard to create the best experience for you!
The Nelson Committee are working hard to secure a great group of speakers for the upcoming conference, and they plan to announce them by the end of April/early May. The three field trips are shaping up nicely, offering interesting places to visit and talks to learn from. Almost done is finalising the special interest group events, ensuring there's something for everyone. Nelson's beautiful location always draws a crowd, and the Nelson Committee are excited to host a popular event in this great location that offers so much. Plus, we'll have some "must do" CPD sessions to boost your knowledge and hours.
The next newsletter will be featuring Sponsors who have come on board, but we are always keen to have more, so let us know if you are interested so you can be included.
Venue: Rutherford Hotel, Nelson
Dates: 4th to 6th September 2024
