3rd July 2024 Newsletter
PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
Many of you are likely aware of last week’s repeal of the Log Trader and Forest Advisors regulations. The NZIF supported this repeal, as the RFA register was more akin to a registry of people (similar to registering your dog) rather than a genuine professional registration scheme.
This change places greater responsibility on us. The NZIF was named often during the parliamentary debate on the repeal of these regulations. We have been tasked with creating a professional, well-managed registration scheme which lists qualified professionals available to provide advice to the public and includes an effective complaints process. I believe we have achieved this and more, but we need more members to become registered and demonstrate their professionalism by becoming an NZIF Registered Forest Professional (RFP).
If you provide any sort of advice beyond your immediate colleagues, you should become an RFP. This includes discussing afforestation with a farmer, advising a woodlot owner on harvesting their block, providing investment advice to landowners, handling ETS returns, discussing forest earthworks with a landowner, speaking at a conference, or writing reports for public consumption. Many members who currently give such advice are not yet registered, but should be. If you are one of these members, please start the registration process as soon as possible.
In some regions, we only have 2-4 RFPs. Increasing the number of RFPs in each region would allow the public to seek quotes and advice from multiple registered professionals. We will be promoting the RFP register on our website, as will the Minister (who mentioned it in the original media release announcing the repeal), and TuR will be directing inquiries to our RFP register.
If you are already an RFP, please update your profile with your history and areas of expertise. This will help those seeking advice to find you more easily.
In other institute matters, if you have not completed the member survey, please do so now. Feedback from this survey will guide the council’s plans for the future direction of our institute. We need your input. Historically, we have had a response rate of about 20%, which is quite low. This is your institute, and unless you want others to dictate its future, please take five minutes to complete the survey. You can easily do it on your phone while having your next coffee. I would like to think we can get an 80% response rate.
We are also seeking nominations for our awards. If you know someone deserving of recognition, please nominate them. Recognising our members’ efforts is something we should take pride in, and many of you go above and beyond in your contributions. If you know someone deserving please nominate them over the next week.
Finally, if you have not registered for the Nelson conference in September, please do so now. It’s easy – just visit our website and click the banner at the top of the page. The committee has put together an excellent lineup of speakers and field trips, with many opportunities to network and catch up with old friends. Although times are tough, attending the NZIF conference could provide valuable insights and re-energise you. We hope to see over 200 attendees, so come celebrate our awardees, attend the AGM, participate in CPD activities, and enjoy a drink or two on us.
Thanks
James
KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP
NZIF Survey: Your Voice, Our Future
The NZIF Council is concerned that our current range of activities is stretching our volunteers and our budget. As such, we are conducting a membership survey to ensure our focus aligns with your highest priorities. Your feedback is crucial to our success, and we kindly ask you to take approximately 5 minutes to complete the survey. It is likely we will send out more specific surveys this year on particular areas once we have feedback from this one.
Introduction
The NZIF has a broad mandate, addressing social issues and maintaining professional forestry standards across all types of forests, from commercial production forestry, urban forests, food forests and native forests. Given this wide scope, the potential areas for involvement require significant voluntary resources.
In recent years, the NZIF has increased its political and external engagement. The range of issues we address and our engagement with other parties have expanded significantly, leading to higher associated costs and voluntary time.
The recent government decision to repeal the Forest (Log Traders and Advisors) Amendment Act 2020 presents an opportunity for the Institute to promote our NZIF Registered Forest Professional scheme, with government acknowledgment. This will require significant additional effort.
These developments have raised expectations of what the Institute will deliver. However, it is clear the current NZIF annual budget is not sustainable without either rationalising our agenda or significantly increasing revenue. All activities, whether they involve financial costs or time commitments, compete for resources.
Despite significant voluntary contributions, we are struggling to provide great service in all areas, therefore, it is essential that we concentrate our efforts on the highest priority areas where we can have the most impact.
The Council will present its recommendations for the path forward at the upcoming AGM in September 2024. To ensure this process is fully informed, we need to understand what you value most.
Thank you for your time and input. The Survey is open until 19th July 2024.
TAKE THE SURVEY
The Importance of Professional Forestry Advice & the NZIF Registration Scheme
As you may already know, recent changes by the Government have removed regulations concerning Forest Advisors. However, they are now advising those providing advice consider becoming a NZIF Registered Forest Professional (RFP). Attached is a document outlining the significance of professional forestry advice and providing background on the NZIF Registration Scheme.
For those of you who are currently a Registered Forest Advisors (RFA) under the MPI scheme, I encourage you to consider becoming a NZIF RFP. This designation not only enhances your professionalism but also instills confidence in clients, customers, and the public regarding the forestry profession.
If you are not currently an RFA but your role involves interactions with the public or customers, I strongly urge you to become a NZIF RFP. This step not only showcases your professionalism but also assures your customers you adhere to recognised standards and continue to do so.
I have noticed an increasing number of potential clients and customers seeking assurances about the professionalism of the foresters they engage with, which makes this designation increasingly relevant.
As always feel free to contact me if you want further information or go to Registered Member information.
Thanks
James
Harvested Wood Material Levy Consultation - Forest Growers Levy Trust: Webinar series
Free Webinar Series – The Harvested Wood Material Levy Vote 2024. How it affects you as a forest owner.
You are invited to join the Forest Growers Levy Trust for a series of webinars on the Levy Vote 2024 starting on Wednesday this week.
The Harvested Wood Material Levy is paid by every plantation forest owner in New Zealand when their trees are harvested.
Money raised by the levy is used to support work for the collective benefit of the industry. The levy supports research and development work, health and safety initiatives, biosecurity protection, forestry advocacy and promotion and a host of other work programs to help support forest growers and New Zealand forestry.
You can learn more about the levy in the brochure attached to this email or by visiting the FGLT Levy Vote 2024 website for more information
IUFRO Conference
During 17-21 March 2025, Scion (New Zealand Forest Research Ltd.) is hosting an international conference titled, “Achieving forest establishment success at scale to address global climate, environmental, social and economic challenges” under the auspices of the International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO) Unit 1.01.04. The IUFRO Unit 1.01.04 focuses on - Forest Establishment and Early growth Dynamics.
The goal of this conference to be held in Rotorua, is to bring together forest leaders, scientists, practitioners, technologists and policy makers to present the latest science and technology being developed and implemented internationally to address the opportunities and challenges associated with actively establishing and regenerating forest ecosystems in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing environment.
Remember to register and get this in your diary.
NZIF 2024 AWARDS NOMINATIONS
We are excited to announce our annual awards dinner will be held in Nelson on the 5th of September. In preparation, we are calling for suggestions and nominations for the three awards we will be offering this year.
Kirk Horn Award
The Kirk Horn Award recognises outstanding contributions to forestry in New Zealand and is offered every second year. The recipient is selected by a committee comprising the NZIF President, the President of the Royal Society, and the Professor of the School of Forestry, or past winners of the award, at the Council’s discretion. To suggest potential recipients, please email the NZIF President and/or the Convener of the NZIF Fellows Committee, John Schrider.
Forester of the Year Award
The Forester of the Year Award is given to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the forestry sector in the past year. This award is open to any nominated NZIF member and recognises leadership, excellence, and personal integrity. Nominations should include a reason for the nomination and can be sent to the NZIF President and/or the NZIF Office. While not necessary, signatures of support from other members will help the awards committee in their decision-making process.
Prince of Wales Award for Sustainable Forestry
This award recognises the achievements of an outstanding young forestry professional in New Zealand and encourages dedication to sustainable forest management. The recipient must be committed to public outreach and knowledge exchange focusing on the conservation of forests and their
ecosystems. Nominations should include a reason for the nomination and be sent to the NZIF President and/or the NZIF Administrator at NZIF Office by Friday, 26th July 2024 for this award. As this award is signed off by the Prince of Wales, we need at least four weeks to seek his approval.
Please submit your remaining nominations by Sunday, 4th August 2024, except for the Prince of Wales Award, as above, which should be submitted by Friday, 26th July 2024 to allow for the necessary approval process.
Thank you for your participation.
Fellow Nominations
To be made a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry is the highest honour that NZIF can bestow on a member. It is recognition of eminence in the profession of forestry by the member’s peers. Accordingly, it is not lightly bestowed and the number of Fellows at any one time is likely to be relatively small.
Nominations are submitted to the NZIF Council. The Council will refer the nominations to the Fellows’ Committee for consideration and to make recommendations to the Council on those nominations that meet the requirements for election.
The Council will determine which, if any, nominations will be placed before NZIF members in a ballot. Recognition as a Fellow requires an 80% positive vote in favour of the candidate from the Honorary, Retired (but not Retired Associate), Registered and Ordinary Members who participate in the ballot.
Announced at the NZIF AGM.
Nominations should be submitted in the form. Supporting information may be attached to the email when completed. Nominations should be emailed to the NZIF Administrator.
Nomination Form
Nominations must be received by 5:00 pm Sunday 28th July 2024
IMPORTANT:
- Nominees and referees must not advise the candidate they are being nominated. Nominees are expected to have sufficient information about the candidate to make the nomination.
- The “Basis for Nomination” section of this form is particularly important. Nominators must fully describe why the candidate meets the requirement of “has achieved eminence in the profession”. Should the candidate be placed in the ballot, this statement will be provided to voters. The statement needs to be concise but should not assume that the candidate is known to those entitled to vote.
- Please ensure that you have a statement from each of the two referees that shows their relationship to the candidate and their assessment of the candidate’s allegiance to the NZIF Code of Ethics.
- If the Council determines that the candidate will be placed in the ballot, it will seek the consent of the candidate and any further information that may be required.
2024 NZIF CONFERENCE NELSON
SOWING TOMORROW'S FORESTS - 4 - 6 SEPTEMBER 2024
It is great to see so many of you taking the opportunity to attend this great event. We have a good line up of speakers and some of these will be highlighted in emails in the coming weeks so you have an idea what to expect. You may even see posts on our LinkedIn page, don't forget to share it with whoever you know, non members are more than welcome.
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.
We look forward to seeing you in September 2024.
NZIF Nelson Committee
2024 CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP
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.
Time is nearly running out. If you would like to join those listed below and become a sponsor please email the President or the NZIF Office
REGISTRATION BOARD
REGISTRATION BOARD UPDATE
From the Registrar 3 July 2024
APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTERED MEMBER
- none
RECENTLY ACCEPTED REGISTERED MEMBERS
- none
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:
- Malt Coulmann
- Craig Fisher
- Alan Bell
- Andy Dick
- Bruce Manley
- Paul McCreedy
- Shane Perrett
- David Janett
- Carolyn Jackson
- Geoff Thorp
Any 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
