NZIF Newsletter 14th May 2025
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
The countdown to our Emerging Stronger NZIF Conference in Napier is underway. With only four weeks left until registrations close, I urge all members to register promptly for the 2025 NZIF Conference - Emerging Stronger. The programme is shaping up to be one of the best yet, but our registration numbers are currently lower than anticipated. Please do not leave it to the last minute; your support is crucial to making this event a resounding success.
The conference is not merely a showcase of ideas; it also serves as the platform for our Annual General Meeting. This year’s AGM holds significant importance, as we will discuss and vote on substantial constitutional changes mandated by the new Incorporated Societies Act. These changes impact our institute’s operations and our representation of you, our members. Your voice matters, and this is your opportunity to shape the future of your institute.
Additionally, I remind you membership fees are due, and all members registered as Registered Forestry Professionals must complete their annual registration update. These seemingly minor tasks are critical to maintaining our credibility and professionalism amidst the unprecedented public scrutiny facing forestry.
I would welcome feedback from members, particularly on the constitution and your vision for NZIF’s future management. This is your institute, and our collective strength lies in unity.
Finally, I strongly recommend reading the latest New Zealand Journal of Forestry, particularly the back-page column where I have outlined the critical issues we are confronting and the rationale behind the proposed modifications.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication to forestry and to NZIF.
James
KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP
Canterbury Local Section Event Update
A very good presentation from Dr Mathew Vanner at a local section meeting at the School of Forestry. Matt is likely to be NZ’s leading specialist on identification of fossilised rocks. This refers to the process of trees falling into water and over 1mil+years silica infusing the wood fibre.
He took us through NZ’s history from our very earliest beginnings to the present day in geological terms. He spoke specifically on a rock found in the Waitaki River, now resident at Bushtown in Waimate.
Staggeringly he has identified the rock as being a Eucalyptus, approximately 2mil years old. He has also identified rocks as far north as Mt Sommers and as far South as Northern Southland as being Eucalyptus but cautions his work on this in by no means complete.
A thoroughly absorbing presentation with Matt’s work rewriting the history of the very earliest forests in NZ.
Acacia Farmery - Canterbury Convenor
Member Feedback
As mentioned in the President's column this week getting your feedback is important.
HOT TOPIC: The Constitution and your vision for NZIF’s future management!
Please keep your comments coming!
"A view shared is a view enriched."
This simple truth reminds us of the power of shared perspectives. By offering your thoughts, experiences, and ideas, you not only enrich the lives of others but also spark meaningful conversations and connections. Our newsletter thrives on your unique insights and stories - they add colour, depth, and inspiration to each edition.
We invite you to share your voice. Whether it’s a thought-provoking reflection, a success story, an idea for improvement, or even a question that’s been on your mind, your contribution matters. Together, we can create a vibrant platform that reflects the richness of our collective experiences.
Write in and let your perspective shine—because a shared view is truly an enriched one!
What photo do you have in your files?
I am after a photo of any forestry signage you may have and are prepared to share.
Please email it with where
it is, what forest and who took the photo (so we can credit you). Here is an example of the type of thing I am after but something that is perhaps better quality and looks a bit more appealing, not shot up with bulletts!
NZIF 2025 AWARDS
Forester of the year and Prince of Wales Sustainability Cup
Nominations are now open for these awards which will be presented at the NZIF June Conference.
Forester of the Year
The Forester of the Year Award is awarded to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the forestry sector in the last year.
The award is open to any nominated NZIF member (who must have achieved at least Ordinary status). The award recognises leadership, excellence and personal integrity, particularly where this demonstrates the character and strength of the forestry profession. The recipient receives a certificate and the Forester of the Year carving, which they hold for one year.
Forester of the Year Information
Forester of the Year Nomination Form
Prince of Wales Sustainability Cup
The purpose of the award is to recognise the achievements of two outstanding young forest professionals in Australia and New Zealand. This award is to encourage engagement in and dedication to, the principles of sustainable forest management including policy, planning and practice, sound science based land stewardship. Awardees must be committed to public outreach and knowledge exchange focusing on the wise use and conservation of forests and the ecosystems that they encompass.
JOURNAL - LATEST EDITION
It is with pleasure NZIF announces the latest May 2025 issue of the New Zealand Journal of Forestry is now available for viewing on the NZIF website.
Members are required to be logged in to see the full articles. If you have any issues, please email NZIF Office.
Use the links below to navigate straight to the full Journal or just the article that interests you.
NZ Journal of Forestry Volume 70, Volume 1 - May 2025
Download Full Journal
Note for easy navigation:
The pdf full Journal has a linked index to all articles within the Journal, hover your mouse over an index title and it will take you there, to return to the index select "Back to Contents" top corner of the page.
Editorial
Rob Miller
Professional papers
Stand dynamics of old crop radiata pine
Graham West
The silvicultural legacy of R.T. Fenton – its genesis, its heyday and reflections
Rowland D. Burdon and Bruce Manley
Identifying research questions for sustainably integrating trees into the rural landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand
Jorie Knook, David Scobie and Craig Trotter
New insights into forest hydrology with Forest Flows Programme – radiata pine catchments’ water use and release
Dean F. Meason, James Griffiths, Vanessa McWilliams and Priscilla Corbett-Lad
NZIF Forest Valuation Standards – 25 years on
Bruce Manley and Bill Liley
Opinion piece
Pruning and clearwood – a farm forester’s view
Denis Hocking
Obituary
Peter Oliver
Last word
Beyond volunteering – professionalising our profession
James Treadwell, President, New Zealand Institute of Forestry
To view other issues of the Journal of Forestry, click HERE.
How to Navigate the full pdf Journal Online
Don't forget you can download the articles (pdf) and print it out to read later if you can't read it online.
NZIF WEBINAR 2025
UPCOMING WEBINAR
Upcoming NZIF Webinar: Innovative Forest Biomass Solutions & Biochar Technologies
Join us for an insightful webinar from Europe exploring cutting-edge approaches to forest biomass management and utilisation, with a focus on creating value-added products for the wood and agriculture sectors.
Our speaker will approach this from two interesting perspectives:
- Innovative Approaches to Forest Biomass Utilisation
Discover strategies for managing forest biomass aimed at producing high-value products tailored for the European wood industry. - Spotlight on a Horizon Europe Biochar Project
Learn about a groundbreaking Horizon Europe initiative developing a mobile, integrated unit for pyrolytic conversion of forestry and agricultural residues. This multi-product system produces biochar, wood vinegar, upgraded pyrogas, and bio-oil—all contributing to:
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- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- Lower fossil resource dependency
- Enhanced forestry and agricultural practices
- Support for rural development
Presenter: Dominika Janiszewska-Latterini, Leader for the Development of Natural Materials, Poznański Institute of Technology, Poland.
Dominika holds a PhD in Chemical Technology (Poznań University of Technology, 2011) and a DSc in Forest Sciences (Poznań University of Life Sciences, 2024). She has almost 20 years of experience in R&D, spanning scientific research, industrial collaboration, and dissemination activities.
Dominika is currently the leading researcher working on lignocellulosic waste valorization for obtaining value-added products in Łukasiewicz-Poznan Institute of Technology (Ł-PIT) and previously held various managerial positions including Director of the Wood Technology Center, Deputy Director for Research, and Department Head between 2012 and 2023. Her expertise covers wood-based composite technology, bio-based adhesives, alternative raw materials for wood-based panels, wood liquefaction, biochar.
She represents Poland on several European research initiatives and her international experience includes internships at Stanford University, US, at CNR-IVALSA and Tuscia University in Italy as well as at Scion – Forest Research Institute (New Zealand).
This webinar is ideal for forestry professionals, researchers, and anyone interested in sustainable resource use and circular bioeconomy innovation.
Date: Thursday, 29th May 2025
Time: 7:30pm NZST
You can listen live or listen later. Everyone who completes registration:
- receives a link and joining instructions
- receives a recording of the webinar via email, (allow two working days).
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about transformative technologies shaping the future of forestry and agriculture.
FOUNDATION AWARD 2025
Do you know a younger person in Forestry who would like to be at the Emerging Stronger conference, but might not be able to afford to get there?
The NZIF Foundation is pleased to be able to offer the Pocknall NZIF Conference Attendance Award worth $1,000.00 following a generous, targeted donation to the NZIF Foundation from Bob and Helanie Pocknall.
The purpose of the award is to allow a young forestry professional or post-graduate student to attend the 2025 NZIF Emerging Stronger Conference who would otherwise not be able to attend.
If this sounds like you, or you know someone it sounds like, take a look at the award information below.
The Pocknall NZIF Conference Attendance Award
Eligibility criteria:
- A postgraduate student or someone in the first five years of their career in the New Zealand forest industry.
- The applicant does not necessarily have to be an NZIF member.
- The applicant does not have other direct financial support to assist with attending the conference.
- The following factors will be considered when selecting the successful applicant:
- How attending the conference will benefit the applicant personally and how they intend to apply the experience to contribute to their organisation or further study.
- The relevance of the applicant’s work or study to New Zealand forestry and its alignment with the conference theme.
- Demonstrated financial need.
- The overall quality of the application, including clarity and effectiveness of communication.
Award
- $1,000.00 to be used towards conference registration and events, travel and accommodation and other costs.
- Meeting with the award donor at the conference.
Applications
Website Link: Pocknall NZIF Conference Attendance Award and Application Information
Email a pdf to: foundation@nzif.org.nz
Applications close: Friday at 5:00pm, 23rd May 2025
Successful awardee notified 30th May 2025
Information on the 2025 Conference
2025 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
Conference Sponsors
As with all conferences, sponsorship plays a vital role in making them possible. We’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank those who are supporting the 2025 NZIF Conference through their sponsorship. If you would like to become a sponsor then please contact us.
