PRESIDENT'S COLUMN

Last week, I was informed by the Minister of the Government's intention to repeal under urgency the Log Traders and Forest Advisors regulations. Following this, the Minister released a media statement (read here) encouraging all individuals providing forest advice to join the NZIF Registration scheme and advising the public to seek guidance from NZIF Registered Forest Professionals. I wholeheartedly welcome this endorsement.

All Registered Forest Advisors (RFAs) under the Government scheme have been notified by TuR about the repeal of these regulations and will receive refunds for their fees. I urge any member who became an RFA instead of registering through NZIF to now consider becoming an NZIF Registered Forest Professional through our scheme. As you know, our scheme offers a comprehensive framework for professional development and accountability, including:

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Ensuring you stay updated with the latest knowledge, skills, and advancements in forestry.
• Strong Code of Ethics: Upholding the integrity and trustworthiness of our profession by adhering to ethical standards.
• Complaints Procedure: Providing a structured process for addressing grievances, thereby maintaining the public’s trust in our professional conduct.

Professionalism is the cornerstone of how forestry in New Zealand must be perceived and practiced. Recognising forestry as a profession entails significant responsibilities and standards. Being part of a regulated and reputable body like NZIF not only enhances your personal credibility but also elevates the status of forestry as a respected and essential profession. This professional recognition is crucial for attracting new talent, influencing policy, and ensuring the sustainable management of our forests.

Media Releases and Letters to Ministers

The last fortnight has been particularly busy, with two important media releases:

1. Addressing the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's report, “Going with the Grain: Changing Land Uses to Fit a Changing Landscape.”, and 
2. Encouraging greater recognition of Arbor Day.

In addition, we have written to several Ministers:

• Minister McClay about the Forest Advisors regulations.
• Minister Watts regarding poorly worded statements from the Ministry for the Environment which significantly impacted the ETS market.
• Minister Brook van Velden about the proposed FENZ levy.

If you would like more details about any of these communications, the letters are available by selecting the link, or feel free to contact me directly.

Annual Conference and Awards

On another note, we will be opening registration for the annual conference over the next fortnight. I encourage all members to attend. The Top of the South organising committee has planned a fantastic conference and three field trips. Conferences are vital for our professional development and provide an excellent opportunity to network and reconnect with members from other regions. Please keep an eye out for the registration opening and sign up to attend as soon as possible. Early registration helps with planning and ensures a smoother experience for everyone.

As usual, our awards dinner will take place during the conference. I encourage all members to start thinking about potential nominees for Forester of the Year and the PoW Award for Sustainable Forestry. These awards recognise outstanding contributions to our field and celebrate excellence in sustainable forestry practices. Take this opportunity to nominate a colleague who has made a significant impact and deserves recognition for their dedication and achievements. We will be calling for nominations very soon. Additionally, we will be calling for nominations for Fellows (to be announced at the AGM), so if you believe a member has achieved eminence in the profession, please consider nominating them.

Annual Report and Strategic Planning

The 2023 Annual Report is nearing completion, pending the accountant's final sign-off. Once finalised, a PDF copy will be sent to all members, and questions about the report will be addressed at the AGM.

Next week, the NZIF Council will convene for a 1.5-day meeting, with the first half-day dedicated to a planning session. During this session, we will set goals and strategic objectives for the next two years. This is a crucial time for us to reflect on our progress and chart a course for the future, ensuring NZIF continues to lead and innovate within the forestry sector.

Thanks
James

KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP

NZIF Salary Survey

Thank you to all those who took the time to participate.  The results are now being collated and written up ready for publication in the near future.  This will be advertised in the next newsletter.

Expressions of Sympathy

It is with sadness that we advise the passing of Ian Trotman, an energetic supporter of forestry.  Our condolences to his family and friends. 

NZIF Submissions

The following submissions were sent in May 2025:

Te Uru Rakau/NZ Farm Forestry Association alternative species field trips

It would be much appreciated if you could include a statement in your next newsletter to NZIF members that:

Te Uru Rakau and the NZ Farm Forestry Association are running further alternative species field trips around the country.

Also, that those interested in the details, and who wish to register, (participation is free), should contact Liz Chamberlain.

Her email address and phone numbers are  admin@nzffa.org.nz  and 04 472 0432"
Hamish Levack

[Secretary NZFFA, (and NZIF fellow)]

WEBINAR EVENTS

Douglas fir and Wildings Webinar

** Douglas-fir from an industry viewpoint
** Where to next for the National Wilding Conifer Program?
** Can biotech help prevent new wildings?

Presenters:
Phil De la Mare: Ernslaw One
Zac Robinson, Zolve Environmental
Glenn Thorlby, Scion Research

Cited by a member as being one of the best webinars yet!

If you missed registering and would still like to view this webinar go to the NZIF Shop.
The small fee of $10 is payable, and this can be done via credit card.

Next Webinar - 26th June 2024 - OIO

This will be advertised next week and registration will be open.

FIRE UPDATE

Forest Fire Management Group Australia & New Zealand Travel Tour October 2024

The Australia/New Zealand Forest Fire Management Group (FFMG) is seeking Expressions of Interest from relevant forest and land management agencies to be part of the October 2024 North American Study Tour.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop our current and next generation of industry fire managers and expose them to fire management strategies and approaches in other county’s forest and rural landscapes.

Further detail on the study tour from the Chair of FFMG. Study Tour

Below is an early itinerary for the tour.

• 7 October - Arrive in North America, likely through Los Angeles (LAX) for easy onward travel to Guadalajara, Mexico 
• 8 October - Acclimation Day (to accommodate for travel days, jet lag, etc.)
• 9-12 October – Mexico portion of Study Tour, starting in Guadalajara.
• 13-18 October – United States portion of Study Tour, starting in the Pacific Northwest
• 19 October – Travel/Rest/laundry day
• 20-?? Canada portion of Study Tour, starting in British Columbia
• 28 October – November 1 – Optional Wildland Fire Canada Conference and Canadian Smoke Forum (Frederickton, New Brunswick) Canada planners are working with the conference coordinators to try to get complementary or discounted registration for Study Tour Participants who may want to attend.

Funding for the tour will need to be covered by your sponsoring organisation, however, there may be some funding available on a case-by-case basis to support those where financing a potential candidate is a challenge.

If you want to find out more contact Murray Dudfield - NZIF (murrayd@supermail.co.nz) or Tim Mitchell (National Wildfire Manager, FENZ - tim.mitchell@fireandemergency.nz).

If interested, please submit expressions of interest to Tim Mitchell (tim.mitchell@fireandemergency.nz) by 7 June 2024

Brendan Gould
Secretariat – Forest Owners Association/Farm Forestry Association Fire Committee
M - 0273641577
E – brendan.gould@nzfoa.org.nz

MEDIA RELEASES

Two important media releases:

Addressing the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's report, “Going with the Grain: Changing Land Uses to Fit a Changing Landscape.” 

New PCE Report Highlights the Crucial Role of Forests in Climate Adaptation and
Environmental Resilience

The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) largely endorses the latest report by the
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE), “Going with the Grain: Changing
Land Uses to Fit a Changing Landscape.” This comprehensive and forward-thinking report
underscores the indispensable role of all types of forests—native, plantation, and
regenerating—in addressing climate change and enhancing environmental resilience.
The PCE report compellingly argues forests provide more than carbon sequestration; they
offer vital ecosystem services such as biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and soil
protection. These functions are crucial for the health of our environment and the
sustainability of our communities.

NZIF firmly believes New Zealand needs to increase its forest cover across all forest types
to meet its environmental and climate goals. Native forests are crucial for preserving
biodiversity, plantation forests significantly contribute to the economy and carbon
sequestration, and regenerating forests, particularly on degraded lands, enhance
landscape resilience and carbon capture.

Read more ....

Encouraging greater recognition of Arbor Day.

NZIF Champions Arbor Day: Encourages Every New Zealander to Plant a Tree

The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) is proud to announce its strong support for
Arbor Day (June 05) and calls upon all New Zealanders to join in making this day a
widely recognised national event. NZIF envisions a future where every citizen plants at
least one tree on Arbor Day, contributing to a greener, healthier, and more sustainable
New Zealand.

Trees offer a multitude of benefits which significantly enhance our environment and
well-being. They play a crucial role in fixing carbon, thus combating climate change.
Trees also purify water, provide essential wood and non wood products, create
recreational spaces, improve mental health, are important for wildlife, and ameliorate
the local climate by providing shade and cooling.

The environmental and societal advantages of trees are immense and far-reaching.
Furthermore, the wood products derived from commercial plantations are integral to a
renewable, circular-based economy, promoting sustainable development and reducing
waste.

 Read more ....

NZIF FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS 2024

NZIF Foundation Scholarships and Awards 2024 are open!

We're happy to declare that applications for the 2024 Scholarships and Awards are now officially open!

To view information on the opportunities in various categories, select the link below:

• Chavasse Travel Awards
• Frank Hutchinson Postgraduate Scholarship
• Mary Sutherland Scholarship
• Otago Southland Award
• University Undergraduate Scholarship
• Student Post Competition

Don't miss out on this chance and apply today!

The Foundation has recently created a new webpage featuring the Trustees and a bit about each of them. Get to know the faces working behind the scenes for the NZIF Foundation.  Trustees

SOWING TOMORROW'S FORESTS - SEPTEMBER 2024

NZIF 2024 Nelson Conference - Working hard to create the best experience for you!

Venue: Rutherford Hotel, Nelson 
Dates:  4th to 6th September 2024

The Nelson Committee is nearing completion of registrations and relevant information.

Our three themes for the conference are:

• Tomorrow's Forest (Environmental, Political & Research)
• Alternative Species, Values and Uses
• Residue Management, End Use Products

Field Trips: - Wednesday, 4th September 2024

• Field Trip A:  Tasman Pine Forests Ltd - Slash recovery and millennial regime review
• Field Trip B:  Showcasing Alternative Species in the Top of the South and their place in commercial forestry
• Field Trip C:  Marlborough's Future in Durable

Conference Topics: Thursday, 5th September 2024

• Managing commercial plantation forestry in erodible steeplands into the future: a geomorphological perspective
  Presenter: Les Basher, Landcare Research
• Managing New Zealand falcons in southern NZ conifer plantation forests
  Presenter: Graham Parker, Parker Conservation Ltd
• Plantation Forestry in Tairawhiti – Where to next?
  Presenter: Neil Woods, Aratu Forests Ltd
• Women in Tomorrow's Forests
  Presenter: Heather Arnold, PF Olsen
• The past, the present and the next rotation: Perspective of a Compliance Officer
  Presenter: Mathew McCormick, Marlborough District Council
• Beyond boundaries: Working together to manage invasive introduced species
  Presenter:  Penny Nelson, Department of Conservation
• Alternative tree species and native forest restoration in Hawkes Bay
  Presenter: James Powrie, Hawkes Bay Forestry Group & RedAxe Forestry Intelligence
• The active forest management regime of New Zealand Carbon Farming’s permanent forest estate
  Presenter: Peter Casey, New Zealand Carbon Farming
• Mārahau Forest – Retiring Erosion Prone Land from Production
  Presenter:  Craig McMiken, Forest Management Group
• Biofuels operations and trials at OneFortyOne Nelson
  Presenter: Mark Coghill, OneFortyOne, Brad Coleman Canterbury Woodchip
• Domestic Processing in the Top of the South - Opportunities and Challenges
  Panel: Dave Robinson, Taylor Contracting | Steve Chandler, Tasman Pine | Shaun Truelock, OneFortyOne

CPD Sessions: Friday, 6th September 2024

• Session 1: Remote sensing assessment of slash in cutover
• Session 2: Landscape scale hazard recognition for afforestation
  Session 3: Harvesting visualisation           

We would like to acknowledge our Sponsors for this conference, we are always keen to have more, so let us know if you are interested so you can be included.

IUFRO CONFERENCE 2025

RECENT FORESTRY ARTICLES

• Forests pivotal for building a more resilient environment
• Farm Forestry supports PCE approach to changing land uses
• Government to repeal costly log trade legislation
• Iwi, forest manager call time on illegal rubbish dumping in Far North nature spot
• Port Hills fire bill tops more than $3m
• Someone must front cost of land-use changes to protect environment, report warns
• Building standards stuck in the 1960s, industry told
• Risk of uninsured buildings if FENZ levy changes go ahead - IBANZ
• "Nature's itching to put the bush back"
• Biodiversity: Native trees on Canterbury farms could bring birdsong back – research
• Government to repeal legislation one of its own ministers championed
• Gisborne residents clash with forestry over road repairs and debris clean-up costs
• Budget 2024: What survived and what was cut from Climate Emergency Response Fund
• Wilding pine work 'at risk' as funds dwindle

  ---

  PAPER:  A global meta-analysis, reveals how ecological interactions can be dramatically distorted in fragmented forests.

  Combined over 100 studies to evaluate how habitat fragmentation affects ecological mutualisms (such as pollination or seed dispersal) and antagonisms (such as predation or competition) among species.  Key findings include:

  • Overall, mutualisms were more strongly affected by fragmentation than were antagonisms
  • Parasitism may increase in fragmented habitats
  • Many researchers are currently studying ecological antagonisms—but more focus on vulnerable mutualisms is needed

  Reference
  Siegel, T., A. Magrach, W. F. Laurance, and D. Luther. 2024. A global meta-analysis of the impacts of forest fragmentation on biotic mutualisms and antagonisms. Conservation Biology 38:e14206. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14206