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Summary of the NZIF Conference Christchurch 2012
Authors: Piers MaclarenPublication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2012, Issue N.Z.J.For. 57(2) 2012, pp 4-7, Aug 2012
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: We would have felt cheated if we had not had a few earthquakes, not to mention arctic temperatures and biting winds. When the field trip circumnavigated Christchurch’s Red Zone, the psychological impact of the devastation, even for those who have closely monitoring the news for nearly two years, was profound. The post-quake rebuild (with wood?) was on everybody’s minds, and many of the presentations touched on that subject. Institute conferences have come a long way in the last few decades. The turnout was impressive, both in numbers (224) and in quality; everybody who is anybody in New Zealand forestry was there. Given that forestry has become fragmented into tight specialties, it was logical to divide the agenda into three parallel themes: forest growing, forest harvesting and engineered wood products. Although not possible to attend all sessions, it was intriguing to discover that the engineered wood products had by far the largest audience. Perhaps members particularly wanted to learn about this comparatively new subject, with such exciting potential?