A new step change

Authors: Mark Bloomberg
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2021, Issue N.Z.J.For. 66(1) 2021, pp 2, May 2021
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: A step change is defined as a large and/or sudden change, especially in business or government. In 1987, New Zealand forestry went through a major step change. The Forest Service which had managed the state’s forests for nearly 70 years was abolished. Much of its indigenous forest estate was taken over by the new Department of Conservation and state-owned exotic commercial forests were subsequently sold to the private sector. The remaining state-owned commercial indigenous forests were closed to timber management in 2002. These changes set the pattern for the next three decades and have become the norm. Most forest managers now see themselves as working for commercially-oriented plantation forest owners, usually in the form of international corporations, timber investment organisations or small private landowners.

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