Susie Thompson & Rob Danford, Hokitika, West Coast branch July 2014
This West Coast lifestyle property features challenging paki soils but Susie and Rob have planted a wide variety of trees for various reasons. A radiata block is for a retirement…
Warren Smith, Greymouth, West Coast branch July 2014
Warren Smith and wife Marilyn own two farms - a sheep and beef property which has been in the family for many years, plus a newer dairy block. Warren is…
Jack Davidson, Aharua Valley, Hokitika, West Coast branch July 2014
This small West Coast grazing and forestry block features a wide range of species including radiata pine, cypresses, eucalypts including ground-durable eucalypts, blackwoods, and poplars. Willows and poplar are grown…
Glen Crickett and Catherine van Paassen, Hokitika, West Coast July 2014
Glen Crickett describes the challenges of growing trees on paki soils near Hokitika. His property features Eucalyptus nitens grown for firewood and timber; blackwoods also feature, plus Glenn's new Peterson…
West Coast forest maps
Michael Orchard, November 2010
Forestry is a practical land based science, and tools to help in its management are essential. Aerial forest photographs or maps are one of the most important of these, as…
New land clearing and preparation for dairying
Michael Orchard, November 2010
Dairying is now the major industry on the West Coast, with an independent co-operative dairy company Westland Milk Products based in Hokitika. It is a multi-million dollar core industry of…
A passion for trees
Catherine van Paassen, May 2010
We have just over 17 hectares near Hokitika with about half planted in forest. Most of it is Eucalyptus nitens, some as shelterbelts and some thinned at 12 to 15…
Way down south at Whataroa
John Spencer, May 2010
John Spencer of South Westland has been a long term member of the Westland branch. He undertakes traditional farming at his property near Whataroa. It is a high rainfall area…
Down on the farm or forest
West Coast branch members, May 2010
West Coasters plant trees for pleasure, profit and keeping warm. An old adage here is − plant your first 10 hectares in radiata and you can put what you like in…
A physical description of the West Coast
David Eastwood, May 2010
The West Coast of the South Island is a distinctive region of New Zealand with unique geological, climatic, vegetation and social characteristics. It lies between 41 and 44 degrees south…
Farm forestry with a difference
Michael Orchard, May 2010
A history of trees With a history of gold mining then coal mining, sawmilling and forest clearing for agriculture, the West Coast has been very lucky to have had a…
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…
Farm Forestry New Zealand
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