Cyclone Gabrielle and the Government Enquiry - a summary of the NZIF submitted position

Authors: Kit Richards
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2023, Issue N.Z.J.For. 68(2) 2023, pp 4 - 10, Aug 2023
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Submitting to the Panel enquiring into land use after Cyclone Gabrielle, NZIF posited that where the forest industry found itself in today was in a ‘wicked problem’ that had evolved over many years. Forestry had been applied as a cheap (to New Zealand) triaged response to a difficult and expensive historical problem. The initial successes at Mangatu Forest had extended to other geologies more prone to shallow landslide and debris avalanche. Partitioning the mechanisms leading to woody debris delivery suggested good levels of control could be exercised over some solutions, but little or no control over others. Consequently, retirement would be the only plausible route for parts of the region. While reducing, it would not eliminate debris transport in the face of big storm events.

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