9th October 2024 Newsletter
PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
Kia ora members,
Last week, the NZIF Council met and continued our work on defining priorities and determining the appropriate weighting for each of our activities. This is part of our ongoing response to the member survey from around six weeks ago, as well as feedback received during the AGM. We want to acknowledge and thank all those who contributed their thoughts through the survey and AGM. Your feedback has been invaluable, and we encourage you to keep it coming as we work through these matters. The goal is to develop a comprehensive plan to present to you by next June. We especially want to hear your thoughts on what you consider are "must-haves" and "nice-to-haves" as part of your NZIF membership.
In addition, we continue our efforts to correct the misinformation about forestry, much of which, unfortunately, originates from the media and even within our own Government. Most recently, we saw comments from Ministers Patterson and Hoggard blaming forestry for the closure of the meatworks in Timaru. This is categorically untrue. I have written to both Ministers, requesting they explain and retract their statements. While I’m not expecting an apology, it’s essential we set the record straight.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Conference, planning is progressing well. We’ve locked in our speakers and have distributed the sponsorship pack. Sponsorship plays a key role in helping us keep fees manageable, so I encourage you to talk with your employers about the possibility of supporting the event; especially as we can defer invoicing until the next financial year if needed. Make sure you pencil in June 26-28, 2025, in Napier. The website will be live soon, and it’ll give you a preview of the program, speakers, CPD opportunities, and field trips. This conference is shaping up to be a must-attend event!
Based on feedback from the AGM, we’ve begun the process of aligning NZIF with the new Incorporated Societies Act. A small committee, comprising myself, the Vice President, and the Treasurer, has been appointed to work with our lawyers on crafting a new Constitution which will meet the legal requirements while keeping it at a high level, as members suggested. Additional Rules will focus on the day-to-day management of NZIF. We’ll keep members informed throughout this process, aiming for approval at the June 2025 AGM and registration under the new Act before the deadline. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.
Finally, I want to thank those members who have reached out directly or contributed to the Members’ Voice section. It’s vital we continue to hear from you to ensure the changes we’re making align with the needs of the majority and genuinely enhance NZIF’s operations. Please don’t hesitate to share your ideas, either with me or through the newsletter.
Ngā mih
James
WEBINAR UPDATE
Short Rotation Forestry for Bioenergy
As New Zealand aims to decarbonise and use less fossil fuels, bioenergy is attracting increasing interest as an alternative source of energy and feedstock for a range of products traditionally derived from petrochemicals. Already in parts of NZ demand exceeds supply at present pricing levels and predictions are that both demand and value will increase over time.
What then are the implications of this for current forest owners and are there opportunities for new forest investors from this rapidly changing environment?
The webinar, presented by Dr Alan Jones, Senior Scientist in Silviculture and Forest Carbon at Scion, will look at the drivers of this increased demand, the potential impact of the supply and demand dynamics and their impact on price and the implications of this for forest investment and management.
Alan is a senior scientist at Scion and has been involved in climate change, sustainable land management and driving policy-relevant development of resilient forests optimised for carbon, biodiversity, timber production and bioenergy. He is responsible for strategic leadership of several multiyear research projects, one of which is focused on Bioenergy from Sustainable Short Rotation Forests.
Alan completed his studies in the UK and worked for five years before joining Scion as a research leader in 2019.
Date: Tuesday, 15th October 2024
Time: 7:30pm
Utilising AI to enhance productivity, at every level, for forestry professionals
This practical training will equip you for enhanced decision-making and operational efficiency, with AI, particularly if you are a
- Senior company executive
- Forest manager
- Operations / District Manager
Regardless of your current level of AI literacy or AI platform—be it Co-Pilot, OpenAI's GPT, or Gemini—you’ll gain the essential skills necessary to elevate your effectiveness in every one of your role deliverables.
Date: Wednesday, 27th November 2024
Time: 2:30pm in the afternoon
