DOCSLIB.ORG

Sustainable Forest Management Developments in New Zealand Seen Through the Lens of the Montréal Process Criteria and Indicators (C&I) Framework

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Sustainable Forest Management Developments in New Zealand Seen Through the Lens of the Montréal Process Criteria and Indicators (C&I) Framework XIV WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS, Durban, South Africa, 7-11 September 2015 Sustainable Forest Management Developments in New Zealand seen through the lens of the Montréal Process Criteria and Indicators (C&I) framework Tim Payn*1, Tim Barnard1, Steven Cox2, Liam Millard1, John Novis2, Alan Reid2 1 [email protected]; Scion (New Zealand Forest Research Institute), Rotorua, New Zealand 2 Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington, New Zealand Abstract New Zealand has recently completed its third national „state of the forests‟ report using the framework of the Montréal Process Criteria and Indicators. These reports (2003, 2008, and 2015) give a very valuable picture of the forestry environment over a period when much change occurred. This paper presents some of the key changes in Sustainable Forest Management in New Zealand over that period in the context of global and national drivers such as international climate change initiatives and the global economic environment, changes in national policies, and a greater market need for information on forestry‟s social license to operate. The value and utility of C&I frameworks for monitoring assessment and reporting of forest information and the effectiveness of the C&I as a communication tool is presented with examples of tools developed to both communicate data and facilitate dialogue. New developments using the C&I framework for „futures analysis‟ is also presented and discussed. Overall, C&I have proved to be a very significant foundation in providing a common language for dialogue around the meaning of sustainable forest management. They have contributed to a range of forest related activities in New Zealand including structuring and focussing research programmes, organising Forest Company monitoring programmes in support of third party certification, teaching SFM, and providing a national picture of the state of New Zealand‟s forests over time. Keywords: Forest, Monitoring, Assessment, Reporting, Criteria and Indicators, Sustainability, Frameworks Introduction At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio a set of Forest Principles (UNCED 1992) was announced and a number of Sustainability initiatives launched aimed at both reducing deforestation rates and managing forests sustainably for multiple products. These initiatives led to the development of Criteria and Indicators (C&I) frameworks to both describe and report progress on SFM. Criteria cover the essential components of sustainable forest management (Economic, Environment, and Social), and each criterion is underpinned by a set of quantitative and qualitative indicators that, when measured over time, give a picture of trends in conditions. New Zealand is a member of one of these sustainability initiatives, the 12 country Montréal Process 1(MP). The Montréal Process Working Group focusses on temperate and boreal forests and is concerned with the definition of SFM and development of ways of reporting progress towards 1 www.montrealprocess.org sustainability. Since 2000 the MP has produced a series of country reports, based on its 7 Criteria2 and 54 indicators, on progress towards SFM and contributed very significantly to global understanding of SFM. While C&I have mainly been used for national reporting there have been additional applications at the sub national and local level by some countries. Objective of the paper The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the history, use and relevance of the Montréal Process Criteria and Indicators framework in forestry in New Zealand and highlight some developments, achievments and possible future directions. As this paper serves as a review of the application of C&I in New Zealand, it draws on existing literature, business as usual work information gathering, and expert experience and opinion. More specifically it draws on: Three Montréal Process New Zealand „Country Reports‟ produced to date Other government and industry publications relating to forests and forest management A survey, based on similar projects by the FAO and ITTO to explore usage of C&I, and circulated nationally to forestry professionals. Interviews with several organisations spanning the forestry sector (including a government authority, research institutes and forestry associations). This work was analysed using quantifiable data (where applicable) to determine key trends and changes in sustainable forest management in New Zealand over the years since the framework was implemented, and to identify possible improvements that could be made for future reports. Use of the Montréal Process framework in NZ The main use of the framework in New Zealand has been in reporting on New Zealand‟s progress towards Sustainable Forest Management. This has been done through 3 ‟country reports‟ in 2003, 2008, and 2015. This has led to a wider understanding of NZ forestry internationally. However this is not the only use of the framework. Elements of the Montréal Process framework have been used in a variety of contexts in New Zealand over the past 20 years, including (but not limited to) the following: The (now wound up) state owned enterprise Timberlands West Coast Ltd. (TWCL) incorporated MP C&I in the development of its beech management plan in the late 1990s. The purpose of this was to provide a basis for monitoring changes to biodiversity and other ecological characteristics over time as a result of proposed beech logging within its estates. Montréal Process C&I were reviewed in 2013 along with a range of other local and international monitoring initiatives to inform the design of the New Zealand Sustainability Dashboard (NZSD) environmental monitoring framework for primary industries (MacLeod and Moller 2013). One forest management company has developed a comprehensive monitoring plan for its 78,000 hectare plantation operation that closely follows the Montréal Process C&I framework, with results presented annually in its Environmental Monitoring Report. This programme has resulted in a number of initiatives across the criteria including the development of the company„s own stream classification system (to minimise disturbance to fish populations through planting setback zones), as well as distribution of a “Threatened 2 1. biodiversity; 2. productive capacity; 3. health and vitality; 4. soil and water; 5. carbon and climate; 6. socio- economic; and 7. legal and institutional frameworks Species Field Guide” for field staff and contractors to encourage on-the-ground reporting and enhance the protection of biodiversity in its forests. Another forest management company with ~180,000 hectares has used the MP indicators as the basis for a monitoring system to provide evidence to support their FSC certification status. The New Zealand sustainable forest management standard NZS AS 4708:2014 was adapted from the Australian Forestry Standard (AS 4708:2013), which itself was developed within the framework of the MP C&I. This standard is now available for companies to have their management practises audited against and is likely to be linked to the global forest certification scheme “Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification“ (PEFC) which will enable NZ forestry companies to demonstrate their performance to a global benchmark. This is an excellent example of the utility of a common international understanding of the components of sustainable forest management. In 2014 Scion, working with several researchers from an indigenous Maori tribe developed a modelling tool to quantify the impact of climate change on sustainable livelihood capitals of the community within the Waiapu Catchment on the East Coast of New Zealand (Warmenhoven et al 2014). The Montréal Process C&I formed the basis of the 25 indicators used to define the status of each capital included in the model. The MP C&I were used to structure the synthesis of the diversity of stakeholder preferences and values for NZ forestry collected from multiple stakeholder interactions and planning documents (Hock 2013). The outcome of this synthesis was used to inform the design of the national research programme for sustainable management of planted forests The New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science (www.nzjfs.org) scope was reorganised to reflect the seven Montréal Process Criteria and the editorial board reconfigured to cover all of these categories. This ensured that all aspects of Sustainable Forest Management could be covered by the journal. The survey response rate was very low, with only seven surveys returned in various states of completion despite being widely distributed to New Zealand forestry professionals. However the responses yielded some interesting insights into the use of C&I frameworks.The sentiments gathered through survey and interview responses indicate that although Montréal Process Criteria and Indicators are being used by some organisations to aid in sustainable forest management activities in New Zealand, the overall uptake of this tool is low and the information it provides at a national level is not being used to good effect. Respondents with at least 20 years experience in the forest sector felt that the state of New Zealand‟s sustainable forest management has improved in that time but were divided over whether the use of MP C&I contributed to this improvement or not. For some at the sub- national level the purpose and value of using C&I frameworks in general is unclear, while for others the complexity involved in implementing them is beyond the scale of their organisation. Unlike some members of the Montréal Process, New
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Real Options Approach Using the Binomial Tree Method
    Valuation of Carbon Forestry and the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme: A Real Options Approach Using the Binomial Tree Method James Tee1, Riccardo Scarpa1, Dan Marsh1 and Graeme Guthrie2 1 Department of Economics, University of Waikato, New Zealand. 2 School of Economics and Finance, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Please kindly address all correspondences to [email protected] Selected Paper prepared for presentation at the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE) Triennial Conference, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, 18-24 August, 2012. Reference number: 16930 Copyright 2012 by James Tee, Riccardo Scarpa, Dan Marsh and Graeme Guthrie. All rights reserved. Readers may make verbatim copies of this document for non-commercial purposes by any means, provided that this copyright notice appears on all such copies. Abstract Under the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, new forests planted on/after 1st January 1990 can earn carbon credits. These credits have to be repaid upon forest harvest. This paper analyses the effects of this carbon scheme on the valuation of bareland, on which radiata pine is to be planted. NPV/LEV and Real Options methods are employed, assuming stochastic timber and carbon prices. Valuation increases significantly and rotation age is likely to be lengthened. We include a scenario analysis of potential implications of rotation age lengthening on carbon stock management in New Zealand. 1 Introduction In order to meet New Zealand’s Kyoto Protocol commitments, its government passed cap-and-trade legislation, called the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZETS), to create a carbon price and put in place incentives for businesses and consumers to change their behaviour.
    [Show full text]
  • Forestry in New Zealand: the Role of Japanese Companies Introduction: Business Field
    43rd Joint Meeting of the Japan New Zealand Business Council on 23 Nov. 2016 Forestry in New Zealand: The Role of Japanese Companies Introduction: Business Field Upstream Midstream Downstream 1691 1950～ 1960～ 1970～ Domestic Forestry & Wooden building Wooden building Housing-related environment business materials distribution materials manufacturing business business business Custom-built home construction & sales business Domestic forestry Domestic Remodeling, leasing, business manufacturing other housing-related Distribution of timber business business and building materials in Japan and overseas Overseas tree planting Overseas business manufacturing business Overseas housing business Overseas SUMITOMO FORESTRY CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 1 Introduction: Our Forest Company-owned forests in Japan Owned or managed overseas plantations 46,443 ha As of March 31, 2016 Approx. 230,000 ha As of June 30, 2016 Natural Plantations Other forest =500 ha =3,000 ha Hokkaido Indonesia 18,199 ha 160,000 ha Honshu 4,280 ha Papua New Guinea 31,000 ha Kyushu Shikoku 9,181 ha 14,783 ha New Zealand 36,000 ha SUMITOMO FORESTRY CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2 General Information of NZ’s Forests 6% • Land area: 27.1M ha 24% 43% (Japan: 37.8M ha) 26% • Forest area: 10.1M ha (Japan: 25.1M ha) Pasture/arable Other (non-forest) • Forest cover: Naturan Forest Plantation Source: NZFOA (2013) / Dana (2014) 38.6% (Japan: 66.4%) • Forest owner: Public 60% Private 40% SUMITOMO FORESTRY CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 3 Plantation Forest in NZ • Almost all logs are produced from plantations。 • There were 3 plantation booms which occurred: in the 1930’s, from the late 1960’s and early 1980’s.
    [Show full text]
  • Interpreting Exotic Plantation Forestry in 1920S New Zealand
    (RE)INTERPRETING EXOTIC PLANTATION FORESTRY IN 1920S NEW ZEALAND MICHAEL ROCHE School of People, Environment and Planning, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North. [email protected] Abstract Environmental historians who have contributed to the understanding of ‘eco- nationalism’ in New Zealand and within the sub-area of forest history have shown how deforestation produced a preservationist impulse and an exotic afforestation response to timber famine. My own work, in partial contrast, has tended to explore the largely unsuccessful efforts at indigenous forest management for production in the nineteenth century as well as suggesting that the large-scale afforestation boom of the 1920s and 1930s was a departure from the anticipated direction of state efforts when the Forests Department was established in 1919. Previously I have argued that the New Zealand State Forest Service under its first director L. M. Ellis initially favoured an orthodox state forestry model anchored on sustained-yield management of indigenous forests, and only later turned to large-scale exotic plantations, in order to forestall a projected timber famine by 1965, and to buy time to enable the mechanisms for regenerating indigenous forests to be understood. This paper looks more closely at Ellis’ initial statements about the role of plantation forestry and suggests that a partial change of interpretation is needed. Keywords: state forestry, historical geography, environmental history, afforestation, New Zealand. Introduction This article grows out of some of the differences in, emphasis on, and interpretations of New Zealand’s forest history that exist in the publications of New Zealand historians and my own writing as an historical geographer working in the field typically labelled ‘environmental history’.
    [Show full text]
  • References – for All Case Studies and Overview
    Changing Ownership and Management of State Forest Plantations. References References – for all case studies and overview ABARE (2001). Australian Commodity Statistics 2001. Canberra. ACF (1988). The wood and the trees revisited. ACF responds to the forest industries. ACF, Hawthorn, Victoria. Acuiti Legal (2002). Tax concessions reintroduced for plantation forestry industry. www.ptaa.com.au/acuiti.html Accessed 30/04/2002. AFFA (Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry – Australia) (2002). Industry Development and Adjustment. Australia’s Unique Forests. www.affa.gov.au/ Accessed 31/07/2002 Afforestation Proprietary Limited. 1926. Timber wealth, something for all: a large return for a small investment. Afforestation Proprietary Ltd, Melbourne. 22p. Aldwell, P.H.B. 1984. Some social and economic implications of large-scale forestry in Waiapu County. Forest Research Institute, New Zealand Forest Service, Rotorua. 39p. Alexander, F. Brittle, S., Ha, A.G. Leeson, T. and Riley,C. (2000). Landcare and farm forestry: providing a basis for better resource management on Australian farms. ABARE report to the Natural Heritage Trust, Canberra. Anderson, J. (1997). Minister removes export controls on wood sourced from plantations in Western Australia. Media Release Department for Primary Industries and Energy, 22nd September 1997. Anderson, R.S. and W. Huber. 1988. The Hour of the Fox: Tropical Forests, The World Bank and Indigenous People in Central India. New Delhi: Vistaar/Sage. Anon. (2001). Gunns adds North Forest to its trees. The Australian March 20th 2001. Anon. 1996. NZ government rushes to sell forests. Green Left Weekly. URL: www.greenleft.org.au/back/1996/245/245p18.htm Accessed 28/11/2002 Anon. 1998. Job cuts decimate New Zealand forestry industry.
    [Show full text]
  • The New Zealand Beeches : Establishment, Growth and Management / Mark Smale, David Bergin and Greg Steward, Photography by Ian Platt
    Mark Smale, David K ....,.,. and Greg ~t:~·wa11.r Photography by lan P Reproduction of material in this Bulletin for non-commercial purposes is welcomed, providing there is appropriate acknowledgment of its source. To obtain further copies of this publication, or for information about other publications, please contact: Publications Officer Private Bag 3020 Rotorua New Zealand Telephone: +64 7 343 5899 Fac.rimile: +64 7 348 0952 E-nraif. publications@scionresearch .com !Pebsite: www.scionresearch.com National Library of New Zealand Cataloguing-in-Publication data The New Zealand beeches : establishment, growth and management / Mark Smale, David Bergin and Greg Steward, Photography by Ian Platt. (New Zealand Indigenous Tree Bulletin, 1176-2632; no.6) Includes bibliographic references. 978-0-478-11018-0 1. trees. 2. Forest management-New Zealand. 3. Forests and forestry-New Zealand. 1. Smale, Mark, 1954- ll. Bergin, David, 1954- ill. Steward, Greg, 1961- IV. Series. V. New Zealand Forese Research Institute. 634.90993-dc 22 lSSN 1176-2632 ISBN 978-0-478-11038-3 ©New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited 2012 Production Team Teresa McConcbie, Natural Talent Design - design and layout Ian Platt- photography Sarah Davies, Richard Moberly, Scion - printing and production Paul Charters - editing DISCLAIMER In producing this Bulletin reasonable care has been taAren lo mmre tbat all statements represent the best infornJation available. Ht~~vever, tbe contents of this pt1blicatio11 are not i11tended to be a substitute for s,Pecific specialist advice on at!} matter and should not be relied on for that pury~ose. NEW ZEALAND FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE L!JWJTED mtd its emplqyees shall not be liable on at.ry ground for a'!)l lost, damage, or liabili!J inrorred as a direct or indirect result of at!J reliance l{y a'!)l person upon informatiou contained or opinions expressed in this tvork.
    [Show full text]
  • (Agathis Australis (D.Don) Lindl.) in Planted Forests Gregory a Steward1*, Mark O Kimberley1, Euan G Mason2 and Heidi S Dungey1
    Steward et al. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science 2014, 44:27 http://www.nzjforestryscience.com/content/44/1/27 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Growth and productivity of New Zealand kauri (Agathis australis (D.Don) Lindl.) in planted forests Gregory A Steward1*, Mark O Kimberley1, Euan G Mason2 and Heidi S Dungey1 Abstract Background: The establishment of even-aged planted stands of New Zealand kauri (Agathis australis (D.Don) Lindl.) for timber has been constrained by a lack of quantitative information on productivity and rotation length on which forest management and investment decisions could be made. Methods: Stand-level models of height and basal area against time were developed (as well as a stand-volume function to calculate volume from height and basal area) based on planted stands that were up to 83-years old and represented planting sites both within and outside the current natural range of the species. Results: Planted kauri was shown to be slow to establish with little height growth for the first five years after planting. Similar trends were observed for basal area and whole-tree volume development. A Schumacher equation with local slope parameter and asymptote bounded at 45 m gave the best fit for height, while a von Bertalanffy-Richards equation in difference form with local slope parameter gave the best fit for basal area. For plantations with an average site index (20.4), height was predicted to be 22.3 m in height at age 60, with a basal area of 78.1 m2 ha−1. Whole-tree volume was predicted to be 702 m3 ha−1.
    [Show full text]
  • An Economic Assessment of Radiata Pine, Rimu, and Mānuka
    Pizzirani et al. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science (2019) 49:5 https://doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs492019x44x E-ISSN: 1179-5395 Published on-line: 20 June 2019 Research Article Open Access New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science Exploring forestry options with Māori landowners: an economic assessment of radiata pine, rimu, and mānuka Stefania Pizzirani*1,2,3, Juan J. Monge1, Peter Hall1, Gregory A. Steward1, Les Dowling1, Phil Caskey4, Sarah J. McLaren2,3 1 Scion, 49 Sala Street, Rotorua, 3046, New Zealand 2 Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand 3 New Zealand Life Cycle Management Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand 4 New Zealand Mānuka Group, 525b State Highway 30, Awakeri, Whakatane, 3191, New Zealand *corresponding author: Stefania Pizzirani: [email protected] (Received for publication 9 November 2017; accepted in revised form 6 May 2019) Abstract Background: A quarter of New Zealand’s land area is currently covered in indigenous forest although only indigenous forests on private land can be harvested. In addition, planted exotic forests (~90% Pinus radiata D.Don) cover a further 7% of the land, and these form the main basis of New Zealand’s forestry industry. However, some landowners are seeking to plant a more diverse range of species (including New Zealand indigenous species) that can be managed in different ways to produce a range of products. Methods: A “cradle-to-gate” life cycle-based economic assessment of three forestry scenarios was undertaken in (i.e. intensive management of radiata pine); (2) continuous-cover forestry management of the indigenous coniferous tree speciescollaboration rimu ( withDacrydium members cupressinum of Ngāti Porou, Lamb.); an and indigenous (3) intensive Māori production-scale tribe.
    [Show full text]
  • Portable Sawmilling of Locally Grown Alternative Timber Species
    Portable sawmilling of locally grown alternative timber species A report on the potential for a sustainable small-scale regional industry in Hawke’s Bay Region Prepared for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company Ltd Paul Millen New Zealand Dryland Forests Initiative April 2020 SWP Technical Report This report was commissioned by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company Ltd. Funding from Te Uru Rākau’s One Billion Trees (1BT) programme has helped make this report possible. The 1BT programme provides grants and partnership funds to encourage tree planting across New Zealand. The Specialty Wood Products Research Partnership (SWP) is managed by Forest Growers Research and is a Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and industry-funded research and development partnership. It aims to increase the productivity and profitability of NZ-grown specialty timber species. The SWP provides funding to Marlborough Research Centre, which in turn manages the NZ Dryland Forests Initiative’s durable eucalypt tree breeding and research programme. Disclaimer The data, studies, surveys, reports and all other information in this report are provided in good faith. However, such material is provided on the basis of information provided by third parties. Accordingly, no warranty is given in relation to the accuracy of any representation or any other information in this report. Such information is not intended to cover any or all issues affecting any particular property or product or circumstance. All users of this report act on any such information solely on the basis of the user’s own judgement and at the user’s own risk.
    [Show full text]
  • South-North Challenges in Global Forestry
    South-North Challenges in Global Forestry Alexander Mather University of Aberdeen November 1997 This study has been prepared within the UNU/WIDER project on the Forest in the North and the South, directed by Professor Matti Palo of the Finnish Forest Research Institute (METLA) with Dr Eustaquio J. Reis of Institute of Applied Economic Research IPEA (Brazil). UNU World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU/WIDER) A research and training centre of the United Nations University The Board of UNU/WIDER Harris Mutio Mule Sylvia Ostry Jukka Pekkarinen Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo, Chairperson George Vassiliou, Vice Chairperson Ruben Yevstigneyev Masaru Yoshitomi Ex Officio Hans J. A. van Ginkel, Rector of UNU Giovanni Andrea Cornia, Director of UNU/WIDER UNU World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU/WIDER) was established by the United Nations University as its first research and training centre and started work in Helsinki, Finland in 1985. The purpose of the Institute is to undertake applied research and policy analysis on structural changes affecting the developing and transitional economies, to provide a forum for the advocacy of policies leading to robust, equitable and environmentally sustainable growth, and to promote capacity strengthening and training in the field of economic and social policy making. Its work is carried out by staff researchers and visiting scholars in Helsinki and through networks of collaborating scholars and institutions around the world. UNU World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU/WIDER) Katajanokanlaituri 6 B 00160 Helsinki, Finland Copyright © UNU/WIDER 1997 Printed at Pikapaino Paatelainen Oy, Helsinki The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s).
    [Show full text]
  • Realistic Alternatives to Radiata Pine in New Zealand – a Critical Review
    REALISTIC ALTERNATIVES TO RADIATA PINE IN NEW ZEALAND – A CRITICAL REVIEW J.P. Maclaren Piers Maclaren & Associates Ltd Report No. 90 May 2004 FOREST AND FARM PLANTATION MANAGEMENT COOPERATIVE CONFIDENTIAL TO PARTICIPANTS OF THE FOREST & FARM PLANTATION MANAGEMENT COOPERATIVE This report was produced specifically for the Forest and Farm Plantation Management Cooperative, and has had limited peer review. It is an unpublished report, and must not be cited as a literature reference. C O N T E N T S EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...........................................................................................................7 PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS ..................................................................................................9 SCOPE ......................................................................................................................................10 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................10 THE APPROACH USED .........................................................................................................11 Quantity of Product ...............................................................................................................12 Price per Unit ........................................................................................................................13 Growing Costs.......................................................................................................................14 Land
    [Show full text]
  • Farms, Forests and Fossil Fuels: the Next Great Landscape Transformation?
    Farms, forests and fossil fuels: The next great landscape transformation? March 2019 This report has been produced pursuant to subsections 16(1)(a) to (c) of the Environment Act 1986. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is an independent Officer of Parliament, with functions and powers set out in the Environment Act 1986. His role allows an opportunity to provide Members of Parliament with independent advice in their consideration of matters that may have impacts on the environment. This document may be copied provided that the source is acknowledged. This report and other publications by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment are available at: www.pce.parliament.nz Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Te Kaitiaki Taiao a Te Whare Pāremata PO Box 10-241, Wellington 6143 Aotearoa New Zealand T 64 4 471 1669 F 64 4 495 8350 E [email protected] W pce.parliament.nz March 2019 ISBN 978-0-947517-14-4 (print) 978-0-947517-15-1 (electronic) Cover photography Hurunui cows, PCE archives; Hawke’s Bay forestry, James Anderson, World Resources Institute; Wellington cars, PCE archives. Farms, forests and fossil fuels: The next great landscape transformation? March 2019 Acknowledgements The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is indebted to a number of people who assisted him in bringing this report to completion. Special thanks are due to Dr Ed Hearnshaw, who led the project, supported by Dr James Newman, Greg Briner, Dr Helen White, Peter Lee and Sally Garden. The Commissioner is also grateful to
    [Show full text]
  • Decentralisation Within the New Zealand Forestry Sector: Financial and Social Implications
    DECENTRALISATION WITHIN THE NEW ZEALAND FORESTRY SECTOR: FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS. COLIN O’LOUGHLIN Abstract In the mid 1980s, a newly elected Labour Government set about reforming the New Zealand economy. The reforms impacted heavily on the New Zealand forestry sector which had been dominated by a large Government department, the New Zealand Forest Service (NZFS), for over 6 decades. In a 2-phase reform process the NZFS was disestablished and soon after, the State’s plantation forests were privatised. The decentralisation process and privatisation were accompanied by a high social cost when thousands of forestry workers lost their jobs. However, the changes brought many benefits including a more market and business oriented forestry sector with new and improved business skills. Profitability of the forestry sector soon showed a marked improvement and remained buoyant through the 1990s. By 2003 export revenues from forest products had reached NZ$3.488 billion or about 13 percent of all export revenues. This paper examines the social and financial implications of the reforms and discusses some of the lessons learnt from the reform process. 1. Introduction New Zealand’s forests occupy approximately 32 percent of the total land area of New Zealand and provide timber for a forestry industry that employs about 28, 000 people. Ninety nine percent of the total timber production is sourced from introduced plantation forests, mainly radiata pine forests, which cover 1.83 million ha or 7 percent of the total area of New Zealand (Figure 1). The indigenous forests, covering 6.6 million ha of mainly hill and mountain lands, are mainly managed for conservation and environmental protection purposes and only provide about 20,000 cubic metres of timber per year.
    [Show full text]