Denis Hocking, Rangitoto Farm, Bulls, Middle Districts branch July 2014
Denis Hocking describes his farm forestry operations on sand country in the Manawatu. Drystock occupy the flats, while trees are grown on the sand dunes.Radiata pine does particularly well on…
Don Tantrum, Rangiwai, nr Taihape, Middle Districts branch July 2014
Don Tantrum's plantings comprise a wide range of alternative species, grown for multiple benefits. Species include black walnut, blackwoods, cypresses and eucalypts. Don has also harvested and milled many species…
Forestry a permitted activity?
Barry Gilliland, August 2014
Forestry is a ‘permitted activity’ in the Manawatu - Whanganui region now that the rule has been approved by the Environment Court. But how can forestry be a permitted activity? Those…
Horizons’ proposed One Plan Where are we?
Barry Gilliland, August 2013
It is a long and difficult birth is my stock answer to the perennial question – At what stage is the proposed One Plan? The fact is that the situation…
Pining in the sand hills, Episode two
Gwen and Chris Bossley, May 2013
In the November 2008 Tree Grower we described our progress to that date. For four years, from 1982 until 1985, we planted 13.4 hectares of sand hills which were covered…
It’s all about density
Angus Gordon, November 2008
Hautapu Pine Products tree farm is situated on the north bank of the Orua river east of Apiti and adjacent to the Ruahine range. The majority of the property is…
Alleviating the boredom with eucalypts
Denis Hocking, November 2008
The coastal sand country of the south-western North Island is probably one of the easiest places in New Zealand to grow radiata pine. There are few disease or physiological problems,…
The Gordon Trust property 60 years on
Angus Gordon, November 2008
The Gordon Trust property owned by John and Julie Gordon, and previously by John’s father Ron, is situated 11 km due west of Taihape in one of the upper branches…
The history and trends of land use in the Middle Districts
Angus Gordon and Denis Hocking, November 2008
The Middle Districts branch, along with the associated Tararua branch, is as diverse as most you will find in New Zealand. Middle Districts is bounded by the four W's −…
Trees and farming near the roof of the world
Angus Gordon, November 2008
Ian Cummings farms an 800 hectare sheep and beef property at Hihitahi, 9 km south of Waiouru, in what can only be described as a climatically challenging environment. His farm…
Pining in the sandhills
Gwen and Chris Bossley, November 2008
In the early 1980s we decided that, as urban dwellers, we needed somewhere to escape to, within easy driving distance of home. We knew very little about lifestyle farming, but…
Forest Owners sharing primary sector concerns Thursday, July 15, 2021
The Forest Owners Association is sympathising with some farmer frustrations over the pace of regulations being imposed on the primary sector. Forest Owners Association President Phil Taylor says the time…
Forest Owners say production trees are potentially farming’s biggest friend Tuesday, July 06, 2021
The President of the Forest Owners Association has told delegates to the Primary Industries Summit in Christchurch that forestry offers many opportunities for farmers. He said trees versus food production…
Commission’s ETS change risks forest planting targets Tuesday, June 08, 2021
The forest industry says the Climate Change Commission is risking forest planting rates by stating that the current Emissions Trading Scheme ‘will incentivise more production forestry than needed.’ The final…
KTM Supreme Winner at Forestry Awards Monday, May 10, 2021
The best of best in the region’s forestry industry were toasted at a sell-out Southern North Island Wood Council Training Awards dinner last night. The supreme winner, found from the…
Greater role for a public forestry service Thursday, April 29, 2021
Media Statement from Hon Stuart Nash Minister of Forestry A greater role for a public forestry service has been outlined by the Forestry Minister, to drive the focus on regional…
Expansion of Forest Service role a vital move Thursday, April 29, 2021
The Forest Owners Association says the just announced creation of Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service heralds the potential to fix vital bottlenecks in the initial stages of the forest industry…
Plantation forestry ranks best for land use Thursday, April 15, 2021
The just released Ministry for the Environment’s latest environmental report scores exotic forestry highly for its low impact on soils. The MfE report identified exotic forests as the land use by far…
The NZIF Foundation Awards & Scholarship Applications Now Open Thursday, April 15, 2021
The NZIF Foundation is offering the following awards in 2021: Future Forest Scholarship for post graduate research of up to $10,000 Up to two scholarships available Otago Southland Award One or…
Foresters celebrate scooping primary industry awards Wednesday, April 14, 2021
The Forest Owners Association says taking out three of the four category prizes in the Primary Industries’ Good Employer Awards this week is a sign the forest sector has come…
Log supply not the cause of timber shortage Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Forest organisations have joined to reject statements that the current shortage of framing timber is caused by foresters selling logs to China and not leaving enough timber to be processed…
Farm Foresters fired up to play a role in land use issues. Monday, March 29, 2021
Farm foresters are now excited and fully informed to play a role in helping role solve NZ land use issues says the incoming association president, Graham West. They have just…
Wairoa foresters forced to subsidise local meatworks Thursday, February 18, 2021
Foresters in the Wairoa District are appalled that a part of their recent rate increase will go to propping up the local meatworks. Wairoa District Council disclosed at a meeting…
Foresters say pines to be relied on to meet climate targets Monday, February 01, 2021
The Forest Owners Association says the Climate Change Commission has endorsed the crucial role exotic forestry will carry out in meeting New Zealand’s net greenhouse gas emission targets in 2030…
Forest Growers Levy Board increases Levy to 33 cents per tonne Thursday, November 26, 2020
The Board of the Forest Growers Levy Trust has increased the Levy rate to 33 cents per tonne of harvested wood materials, the first increase in the Levy rate since…
Minister's Roots In Forestry Tuesday, November 24, 2020
The Minister of Forestry, Stuart Nash when speaking at the annual Farm Forestry Awards last Tuesday, announced he had started his career in farm forestry and as a student pruned trees…
Forest industry says main political parties abandon forest industry Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Forest industry says main political parties abandon forest industry at economic and environmental cost The Labour and National parties’ policies on forestry, leading into the election, are disappointing to forest…
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