34 FEATURE SUPPLEMENT
Thursday, October 21, 2021 Wairarapa Times-Age
FEATURE SUPPLEMENT 35
www.age.co.nz Thursday, October 21, 2021
FORESTRY IN WAIRARAPA Anti-forestry drive environmentally and economically destructive Foresters are calling a proposed anti-forestry coalition of local bodies a prejudiced step backwards in time and destructive for their communities both environmentally and economically. The mayors of Tararua and Wairoa have written to fellow mayors throughout New Zealand wanting money to fund a report designed to show that forestry is negative and ought to be restricted. The President of the Forest Owners Association, Phil Taylor, says it is contradictory for the Wairoa District to declare climate change to be a key issue in its Long-Term Plan in January, and a few months later leads a national charge to put every obstacle in the way of achieving carbon sequestration through forestry. “Unfortunately, some council leaders are also o˜ -beam with their understanding of the economics of forestry as well, the recent MPI commissioned
Regional economies also stand the most to beneÿ t from New Zealand’s move away from fossil fuels to wood-based bioenergy. This imminent transformation to satisfy overseas consumers of our primary products, has already been recognised by a signiÿ cant part of the agriculture sector who have not been slow to embrace forestry. PwC Report quite clearly found forestry was much higher in earning power and employment than using the hill country land for continuing to farm livestock.” Farm Forestry Association President, Graham West, says the terms of reference the Wairoa and Tararua mayors have set out for their report, are ÿ xated on forestry and don’t look at the diverse and long-term interests of their constituency. “The mayors demand a longterm plan for forestry. But they haven’t done the same for farming, East Coast councils should be carefully looking at the impact of climate change in
an already dry region and what viable land use options there are, including a mix of forestry. “Forbidding tree planting is not going to increase wool prices, nor ward o˜ the threat of synthetic meat. “New local processing industries, for both food and ÿ bre need to be developed, which will support farming communities in the longer term.” “Tree farming will supply the raw material for the rapidly emerging bioeconomy, and that in turn may need new tree species instead of radiata pine. The mayors should be encouraging a report which is
broader and objective. A report like this could help councils build a resilient economy for their communities.” Phil Taylor says some councils, such as Hawkes Bay Regional Council, are taking advantage of opportunities for forestry. “Some councils see forestry as a good income earning investment for future generations, and doing their bit for the environment at the same time. In this case, Hawkes Bay is grappling to meet new government water quality standards, while at the same time one of their districts is trying to make the job to comply harder.
It would be a good time for local government to do an objective analysis of land use choice and opportunities. Our industry would be delighted to have input into this, as I am sure would Federated Farmers and other farm organisations.” “What none of us need is a call to legislate against farmer choices based on what appears to be a set of prejudices to keep farms free of any trees.” Phil Taylor President Forest Owners Association Graham West President Farm Forestry Association
Murray’s Nurseries milestone year With the 2021 planting season complete, Murray’s Nurseries in Woodville re˛ ects on a milestone year. Patrick Murray and his team of four supplied a record 13 million baby pines this year. 15 million is planned for next year. “We have been very lucky that the timing of the Covid lockdowns had little impact on us,” says Patrick. Murray’s specialises in growing seedlings for New Zealand forestry companies with sustainable harvest programmes.
5.4 hectares and 2.7 million seedlings in neat rows for easy harvest at Murray’s Nurseries in Woodville.
change is afoot and he expects Murray’s to play a signiÿ cant role.
Forest Enterprises chooses speciÿ c seed stock to produce trees with desirable characteristics like sti˜ , straight trunks and small branches. Seedlings are planted at about a year old and always during winter when there’s good rainfall and the trees are dormant. “Murray’s is an innovative company and it’s a bonus they’re located close to home”, says Malte.
Contract growing for Forest Enterprises
Cultivating quality and innovation
“Murray’s grows high quality, uniform seedlings for us which have excellent survival and growth rates”, says Malte Coulmann, Southern North Island Regional Manager for Masterton-based forestry investment manager, Forest Enterprises.
“I love developing new ways of growing pines more e˝ ciently and sustainably than ever before”, says Patrick. Murray’s grows seedlings in the ÿ eld, direct from seed. “The tech we use is unique to our nursery”, explains
Patrick Murray with a handful of baby pines ready for planting.
Patrick. “We’ve developed our own semi-automated RTK GPS with steer-controlled propagation equipment. It’s a highly e˝ cient single-operator production system.” Patrick says that, with current demand for planting and labour supply issues, industry
“We’re putting together an R&D programme to develop a mechanical seedling harvest system that we hope will evolve into robotics. We’re also involved with Lincoln University in soil fungi trials, and in the ÿ eld with hybrid clones trialling a new technique I believe will succeed growing from cuttings.” Invest in a renewable resource Forest Enterprises replants all forest land after harvest. The company planted nearly 1.2 million trees in Wairarapa in 2021. Forest Enterprises is the largest harvesting company in the
region. Around a third of its timber from here goes to local sawmills like Kiwi Lumber, Davis Sawmill, Mitchpine and Pan Pac. The forest environment improves with each crop as the soil becomes better conditioned for pine growth. Forest Enterprises’ second rotation forests, like it’s latest investment, the Pukek˙ whai Forest are planted with the latest tree genetics. Having been harvested already, the roads and landings within the forest are in place and the harvest plan is proven. All these can have an impact on investment returns. To invest in sustainable forestry, contact Forest Enterprises today. 0800 746 346 www.forestenterprises.co.nz/ pukekowhai
PLANTED THIS WINTER? CONSIDER ENTERING THE ETS WE ADD VALUE AT EVERY STAGE OF THE GROWTH CYCLE
premium framing | jnl.co.nz
Call our expert Land Use Team who can take care of your ETS application. Our Services • Forest management and operations, e.g. planting, spraying, thinning, pruning. • Harvest planning, management and log marketing. • Carbon & ETS advice including the sale/purchase of credits. • On farm land use assessments – financial modelling, carbon profiles, marginal land options & grant funding assistance. • Change of forest ownership/succession advice (ETS implications). • Forest valuations and inventory, feasibility assessment and planning.
scan me to learn more
www.forest360.nz | 0800 366 700 70D Chapel Street Masterton | info@forest360.nz
AHNZL supporting Forestry since 1987 "Fly With Experience" + FireFighting,Pest Control, Forestry Surveys + Aerial Release and Pre Plant Spraying + Boron Application + Proof of application provided by DGPS Data
06 379 8600 • office@ahnzl.com www.amalgamatedheli.co.nz