19th June 2024 Newsletter
PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
Dear Members
Last week, we held a productive 1.5-day Council meeting and planning session with both our outgoing and incoming Council members. The session was highly beneficial, and our new Council is now more focused than ever. One of our primary goals is to achieve a balanced budget before the end of the next term. However, we recognise the potential need for additional paid time, as our current volunteers are struggling to cover all the areas NZIF operates in.
To address this, you will soon receive a survey, and I encourage you to spend 10 minutes completing it. Your input will significantly shape the future of our Institute.
We also encourage you to attend the AGM, as it provides an essential platform for discussing our future. To be candid, if we don't grow our membership or increase fees, we will need to cut some activities. Based on this year’s budget, without increased revenue, we could deplete our funds within 2-3 years. I look forward to engaging in productive discussions at the AGM and hearing your thoughts.
The AGM is scheduled for the morning of Friday, September 6, followed by CPD sessions. This will be after the awards dinner on Thursday. If you haven't registered for this year's conference in Nelson, please do so soon. Visit the NZIF website and click on the conference header at the top of the page. With the theme "Sowing Tomorrow’s Forests," the local committee has organised a fantastic lineup of speakers and three field trips. There will be something for everyone.
Minister McClay has made two major announcements since our last newsletter. The first is the removal of the regulations for Log Traders and Forest Advisors, a move we support as the initial program was poorly implemented. It functioned more as a registry rather than a comprehensive registration scheme with a complaints committee, CPD requirements, and standards. Members registered under the RFA scheme are encouraged to apply for registration under our scheme using their refunds. Ensuring forestry is recognised as a profession with standards, a code of ethics, and CPD compliance is crucial. If you are unsure about meeting the requirements to become a NZIF Registered Forest Professional, please consult with the Registrar for guidance.
The second announcement concerns the removal of the annual ETS fee for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, partly due to our joint judicial review with Nga Pou a Tane, Climate Forestry, and FOA. We appreciate the support of members who pledged funds for this cause. This decision also reflects the Minister's willingness to collaborate with us and the sector. We will be working with the Minister to finalise future fee structures and ensure meaningful consultation.
We have been busy with submissions to the Climate Change Commission and the Ministry for the Environment regarding future settings and price controls. We have also made submissions to local councils proposing significant rating differentials for forestry and are preparing a submission on the work health and safety regulatory system, supporting the Pan Sector submission. I extend my gratitude to all the volunteers involved in these efforts. For those interested in reading these submissions they will be available to members on our NZIF submissions webpage.
Finally, I urge you to please participate in the survey when you receive it, register for the conference, attend the AGM, and provide your feedback to the Council directly or through this newsletter feedback. Your views are vital for the future direction of our Institute.
Regards
James
KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP
Salary Survey
Thank you to all those who completed the survey.
The NZIF Salary Survey 2024 is now available for members to view:
Latest NZIF Submission
2024 June 17 Annual Updates to NZ Emissions Trading Scheme limits and price control settings 2024
Expressions of Interest
Shape the Future of Professional Development Webinars!
Our CPD webinar series is gaining popularity among our members. To ensure the continued success and growth of this initiative, we are inviting expressions of interest from individual members to join the CPD Committee.
By becoming a part of the CPD Committee, you will play a role in determining the future of professional development topics. Your input will include participating in meetings (these can be via Zoom), contributing to discussions on topics, and assisting in coordinating speakers and hosting webinars.
This is an excellent opportunity to draw on your expertise, use your network, and contribute to the professional growth for all our members. If you are enthusiastic about making a difference and prepared to commit your time and knowledge, we invite you to express your interest by emailing the NZIF Office.
NZDFI Marlborough Regional Case Study webinars
12th June & 4th July 2024, 2-4pm NZST
Marlborough's Future is Durable!
Learn how investment in durable eucalypts could contribute to regional farm and forest diversification, improve wine industry sustainability, create jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions!
NZDFI has just completed a case study for Marlborough, relevant to other regions, on how a regional hardwood industry could be developed in the next 25-30 years and the economic and environmental benefits and implications of such an industry.
We invite you to join our two up-coming webinars to discuss our findings, which bring together much of NZDFI's research and vision to date. The first webinar is hosted by the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand, a partner in the project, and the second by NZDFI.
June 12th - details & webinar link
July 4th - details and link to register
Details and links also available on the NZDFI website https://nzdfi.org.nz/
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)]
|
Day |
Location |
main presenter |
presenter's email address. |
|
Thu 20 Jun |
Paraparaumu |
Hamish Levack |
|
|
Sat 29 Jun |
Gore |
Paul Cox |
NZIF WEBINARS
Overseas Investment in the Forestry Sector
Hear the latest insights on overseas investment and the forestry sector that you need to know. The presentation includes an explanation of the Overseas Investment Office consent pathways for investing in forestry and the latest Ministerial and OIO decisions.
Presenter: Catherine Reid, Barrister
Catherine is a specialist in New Zealand’s foreign investment regime, including the Overseas Investment Act 2005 and the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) consent process. Catherine developed her expertise at the OIO where she held senior roles. In 2015 Catherine returned to private practice and is now assisting investors in obtaining OIO approvals. Catherine has significant experience in obtaining OIO consent for investors in the forestry sector. Prior to joining the OIO in 2011, Catherine was a senior solicitor at a national commercial law firm.
Time: 7:30pm NZST
Date: Wednesday, 26th June 2024
Ticket Costs: $NZD
$10 NZIF Members
$30 Non Members
Free: NZIF Student members only
Ticket Sales close: 3:00pm on 26th June 2024
REGISTER HERE
Everyone who completes registration:
- receives a link and joining instructions
- receives a recording of the webinar, so if you can’t listen live you can listen later.
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
2024 NZIF CONFERENCE NELSON
SOWING TOMORROW'S FORESTS - 4 - 6 SEPTEMBER 2024
Venue: Rutherford Hotel, Nelson
The NZIF 2024 Nelson Conference information is available on the website and registrations are OPEN.
Don't miss this event, great topics and discussions are going to be held and something of interest for everyone!
Read all about it via the links below:
2024 Nelson Conference Programme
2024 Nelson Conference Field Trips
2024 Nelson Conference Sponsorships
2024 Nelson Conference Speaker Profile
2024 Nelson Conference Information Page
Accommodation: Go to the Conference Information page to find out about the special deal at the Rutherford Hotel.
Travel Special: Sounds Air Limited has issued a Picton-Wellington-Blenheim Sale, this may work for those wanting to attend the Blenheim Field Trip C. (note: check the expiry date of this flight offer).
We look forward to seeing you in September 2024.
NZIF Nelson Committee
2024 CONFERENCE SPONSORS
Events can not happen without the support of the industry. We would like to acknowledge our Sponsors who have come forward to acknowledge the NZIF Conference and its importance.
If you would like to join those listed below and become a sponsor please email the President or the NZIF Office
REGISTRATION BOARD UPDATE
From the Registrar 19 June 2024
APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTERED MEMBER
- David Bergin
RECENTLY ACCEPTED REGISTERED MEMBERS
- Pierre Belle
- Ross McFarlane
- Paul Marshall
RECENTLY ACCEPTED PERIODIC REVIEWS
None
NOTICE OF 5 YEAR REGISTRATION REVIEW
The following Registered Members are required to submit their application for a periodic review of registration which must be accepted by the Board no later than 31 May 2025:
- Malte Coulmann
- Craig Fisher
- Alan Bell
- Andy Dick
- Bruce Manley
- Paul McCreedy
- Shane Perrett
- James Treadwell
- David Janett
- Carolyn Jackson
Geoff ThorpAny member of the NZIF has the right to object to an application. Any objection should be lodged with the Registrar registrar@nzif.org.nz within 20 working days of the first appearance of the notice in this newsletter, specifying the grounds for the objection.
Peter Gorman, Registrar
NZIF Registration Board
registrar@nzif.org.nz
+64 21 166 5938
