Log rules might tighten exports
25 May 2020
The spectre of Government intervention has spooked forest owners worried about a proposal to regulate and certify log exporters.
FORESTRY ARCHIVES
Wild pine money good but not enough
11 May 2020
Redeployed workers are to attack invasive wilding pines posing a $4.6 billion threat to farmland, waterways and ecosystems.
Think-local push from minister
28 April 2020
There is no likelihood the forestry sector will be operating under a quota system for log exports but the sector can expect greater Government oversight on who is exporting logs and what priority is being given to local processors.
Time squeeze on forest planting
23 April 2020
After bearing the brunt of a price slump last year on-going drought and the covid-19 lockdown foresters are gearing up for work under level three conditions and see a stressful planting season ahead.
Forest Protection Services managing director Kevin Ihaka, in Northland, said with level three enabling operators to get back to the business of felling and planting, the greatest challenge facing many is a lack of time to get new trees in the ground.
We’re buying our own wood back
16 April 2020
Technology developed by the New Zealand forestry sector more than 20 years ago and now used overseas could still offer some value-add options for Kiwi foresters today. Richard Rennie spoke to industry experts on how acetylising wood processing technology can turn pine into a high-value building product.
Strict limits as some wood processing resumes
15 April 2020
Some wood processors will be cleared to resume limited operations this week in order to ensure supplies of key products during the current lockdown or to avoid costly damage to plant.
Jones will limit log exports
9 April 2020
New rules forcing forest owners to prioritise the sale of logs to New Zealand mills and processors ahead of export markets are being considered by the Government.
Forestry Minister Shane Jones says such a move will generate jobs once the covid-19 lockdown ends.
Rules coming for forest logs
8 April 2020
Forest owners could be forced by law to prioritise the sale of logs to New Zealand mills and processors under new measures being considered by the Government.
Forestry Minister Shane Jones says having tired of waiting for two years for growers and exporters to increase the availability of logs to domestic processors he is going to act.
Help too late for forest gangs
20 March 2020
The Government’s $12.1 billion support package to help businesses deal with fallout from the covid-19 virus has come too late for an estimated 1000 laid-off forestry workers.
Contractors warned weeks ago of the threat to jobs and businesses when the virus hit China but those who have already been laid off or forced out of business miss out on Tuesday’s package, Forest Industry Contractors Association chief executive Prue Younger said.
Virus could be good for wood
19 March 2020
The forestry sector has felt the early and sharp jab from coronavirus, thanks largely to the slide in log sales to China.
However, there are some simple solutions to keeping the industry viable and thriving when harvesting New Zealand’s billion-trees crop in coming years, Red Stag Timber chief executive Marty Verry says.
Whatever aid the Government gives the forestry sector will simply be a band aid for the next six to 12 months.
