The New Zealand Institute for Forestry (NZIF) advocates for the adoption of an integrated land use policy for New Zealand. NZIF members’ interests are for more forests for conservation, production, urban forestry, recreation, biodiversity and wellbeing.
Forests’ role in New Zealand’s future requires a wider societal debate. The future of forestry in New Zealand depends on the community’s definition of clean water, sustainable agriculture and a low-carbon economy more than on the relative merits of radiata pine panels and rata honey.
All forests generate public and private benefits. Department of Conservation (DOC) administered native forest areas are publicly owned and funded forests which are managed almost exclusively for public benefits including watershed protection, visual amenity, tourist appeal, biodiversity, a long-term carbon store, or all five combined. New Zealand is unusual in this regard with most arboreal countries managing their native forests for timber production, regional employment and foreign earnings alongside the ecological values.
