19th March 2025 Newsletter
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
It’s hard to believe we’re already heading toward the end of the first quarter of 2025. I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight a few important updates and encourage your involvement in some key upcoming events.
Register now for the Emerging Stronger Conference
Our annual conference, Emerging Stronger, will be held 23–25 June 2025 in Napier. This year’s theme focuses on innovative strategies to ensure our forests and related industries not only recover but thrive and become more resilient against future cyclones. A highlight of the programme will be a presentation from Neil Woods, of Aratu Forests, who will share insights into what Aratu has learnt following the devastating weather events on the East Coast and how they’ve adapted their operations for the future. Register now
AGM – Have your say on our future
The NZIF AGM will be held after the CPD session and the evening before the conference. This is an especially important meeting, as we will be asking members to vote on the new NZIF Constitution which reflects the new legislation and the current and future needs of the Institute. We’ll also be discussing what services can realistically be delivered by a voluntary council and how we can best support our members and the profession. Your participation is essential, we want your voice at the table.
Membership renewals, coming soon
Membership invoices will be sent out in early April. Your continued support is crucial to keeping NZIF strong and independent. We really appreciate prompt payment as it allows us to plan and deliver member services and activities with confidence.
Support the NZIF Foundation
Please consider making a donation to the NZIF Foundation. Your generosity supports scholarships, research, and professional development which help grow the capability of our sector. Every contribution helps support the future of forestry in Aotearoa.
Stay connected – CPD and Local Events
A reminder to take advantage of Continuing Professional Development opportunities and local section meetings. These events are great for keeping up to date, staying connected with colleagues, and supporting professional growth, particularly for our Registered Forestry Professionals.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our profession. I look forward to seeing many of you in Napier this June.
Regards
James
NZIF LOCAL SECTION EVENTS
Canterbury Local Section John Fairweather's Sawmill Visit
In February, the Canterbury Local Section held an event visiting John Fairweather's sawmill (John Fairweather's Specialty Timber Solutions). John was a fantastic host regaling the attendees with many stories about how he got here and about the innovations he has come up with.
The tour started off with a look into his model office which showcases a range of timbers that he has milled and treated. We then followed the timbers journey through the mill from drying, processing, treating, and finishing.
It was interesting to see the range of species that John and his team mill and the challenges that John deals with through the lack of sustained supply.
Thank you to John for a fantastic afternoon. The trip was followed up by a BBQ.
Acacia Farmery - Canterbury Local Section Coordinator
COMING UP!
Auckland Local Section
The Auckland section of NZIF will be hosting members on a field trip to Riverhead Forest north of Auckland.
Chemical Thinning for Value - 3pm Tuesday 1 April, Riverhead Forest
Date: 1st April 2025
To hear about Matariki Forests' experience with chemical thinning for value.
Matariki's district forester Sam Middlemass will discuss how chemical thinning has evolved from concept to operational deployment including trials, evaluation and operationalisation.
Location: Meet at the Barlow Road forest gate (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q1PbW73Kx3JKBqYR6)
Time: 3pm for Field Trip
After the field trip retire to The Riverhead or Hallertau Brewery for those who wish to have beer or bite afterwards.
Registration closes: Friday 28 March.
Central North Island Section
Export Update by Chris Rayes
Note there will be a max of 20 people, first 20 registrations, this event will NOT be live streamed.
Date: 15th April 2025
Time: 5.30pm – 7:00pm
Location: Rayonier Tauranga office (68 Fourth Avenue, Tauranga 3110.)
NZIF would put on some light refreshments and nibbles for attendees
WEBINAR UPDATE 2025
Webinar: Principles of Good Governance - A Practitioners Perspective
Date: Tuesday, 25th March 2025
Time: 7:30pm
This is a must see webinar for those involved in industry committees and boards and community
organisations. Many of us work through technical and management roles and acquire great skills in these areas. At some point in our careers, we often take on wider roles on industry advisory committees, company boards of directors, or become shareholders of companies, often with little or no training in dealing with the transition from management to governance roles. There are many issues to be aware of in governance roles and pitfalls for the unwary or careless. And equally in our private lives in the community where we become involved in School Boards of Trustees, sports clubs or charitable organisations there are similar issues to be aware of. Current changes to the Incorporated Societies Act for example will place similar responsibilities on boards of community organisations as company directors.
Phil Taylor has agreed to provide a practitioner's view of this from a perspective of someone who has moved through technical and managerial roles in forestry to governance roles on industry boards and commercial companies. He will cover the responsibilities of directors and those on industry committees and boards, the pitfalls to be aware of and the practical steps that can be taken to mitigate some of these risks.
Please note:
You can listen live or listen later – everyone who registers will receive a copy of the webinar recording.
Upcoming Webinars:
Tuesday, 15th April 2025
Forestry and the ETS - A Legal Perspective
Presenter: Campbell Stewart - Tompkin Wake Legal
Tuesday, 29th April 2025
EU Deforestation Regulations and Implications for NZ
Presenter: Mark Ross - CEO WPMA
Further details on these webinars will be published at a later date.
2025 NZIF CONFERENCE
Napier War Memorial Centre / 26-28 June 2025
Strengthening Forests, Infrastructure and Community Post-Cyclone
In the wake of devastating cyclones, our forests face unprecedented challenges. To address these critical issues, we are organising the “Emerging Stronger” conference, a pivotal event which brings together leading experts, researchers, conservationists, policymakers, and community leaders.
Programme:
- CPD Workshop 4 options available
- AGM and Networking Drinks
- Conference 2 days
- Future Forest Quiz night
- Gin Distillery visit
- Awards Dinner
- Field Trips 2 options available
Conference 2025 Registration is now open.
Any questions on the Conference or the new Conference website, please mail: Events
FOUNDATION UPDATE AND AWARDS
Established in 2011, the NZIF Foundation is a charitable trust whose mission is to raise funds that can be used to encourage and support forestry related research, education and training through the provision of grants, scholarships and prizes; and promote the acquisition, development and dissemination of forestry related knowledge and information and other activities. We have supported many students and professionals since 2011.
NZIF Foundation Scholarships and Awards 2025 are now open - Apply Now!
We're happy to announce that applications for the 2025 Scholarships and Awards are now officially open!
To view information on the opportunities in various categories, select the links below:
- Chavasse Travel Award
- Frank Hutchinson Postgraduate Scholarship
- Mary Sutherland Scholarship
- Otago Southland Award
- University Undergraduate Scholarship
Don't miss out on this chance and apply today!
Closing date for the scholarship is 4th April 2025.
2025 Conference Poster Session
One again the 2025 Conference Poster Session is open, notifications to advise of an entry are to be emailed to the Foundation by 13th June 2025.
For more information please visit: Student Poster Competition
NZIF FOUNDATION TRUSTEE VACANCY
With Alex Wilson stepping down as she takes a role outside the forest sector we are seeking someone to fill her position. Current Trustees are Luis Apiolaza, Peter Edwards, James Kerr, Tim Payn, and Lou Sanson - information about the Trustees and the Foundation. We share responsibilities around and are looking for someone with a strong interest and experience in communications, we are also very conscious of gender and age balance on the panel of trustees. At the moment we are skewed to later stage careers and male. So, we encourage applicants who can reduce this imbalance.
The role is not onerous – around four virtual meetings a year, and the biggest activity is the evaluation of applicants for the awards and scholarships once a year. Each Trustee has activities focussed on our wish to grow the Foundation so we can support more awards.
If you are interested, please email the Foundation and one of the trustees will be in touch to tell you more about what we do and the role.
FOUNDATION FUNDRAISING AND NEW AWARDS
We are dependent on donations (tax deductible!!) and are always looking for more – at the last NZIF conference we launched the Giv2 app to make it very easy to donate – click on the QR code below and you’ll be amazed how easy it is to donate any amount you like. If you are thinking big amounts (many thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions even!) please get in touch via Foundation and Tim Payn will contact you. If you are interested in donating to establish a new award (maybe in memoriam, or for a specific topic, or on behalf of your company) please contact James Kerr via the same Foundation route who will be able to help.
