Launching the programme on Friday Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones made initial grants totalling $61.7 million for forestry, tourism, rail and roading in Northland, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu-Whanganui and the West Coast.
The mothballed Napier to Wairoa rail line will be rervided and State Highway 10 in Northland upgraded.
Jones has also launched a $6.5m afforestation fund, with applications to be lodged with the Ministry for Primary Industriesd by May 14. It gives $1300/ha for new forests 5ha to 300ha.
The tree programme would see 55m trees planted this year, 70m in 2019 and 90m in 2020.
“From there we will be aiming for 110m a year over the next seven years.”
Pamu chief executive Steve Carden said “Forestry is an often overlooked but essential part of New Zealand’s agriculture sector. It makes sense to be planting trees on rural land whose use has changed or is marginal. Farmers have been doing this for years, recognising that it is good for the environment and for the economic activity it brings to rural NZ.”
The initial plantings will be on Northland, East Coast and Hawke’s Bay farms and some in the South Island.
