Introduction
The Nelson/Marlborough region is well known for its warm, sunny climate and attractive lifestyle opportunities. The forest industry is rapidly expanding, a reflection of the region’s good growing conditions which produce trees with good form. The region has already seen significant investment in wood processing capacity.
The region’s forest harvest is predicted to climb from the March 2000 level of over 1.8 million cubic metres to more than 2.8 million cubic metres by 2010. The magnitude of the harvest and concentration of the forest resource provide the region with important investment opportunities in wood processing.
Nelson/Marlborough -An Overview
The Nelson/Marlborough region includes Tasman District, Nelson City, Marlborough District and Kaikoura District. In the context of this Regional Study, "Nelson" refers to Nelson City and Tasman District.
Based on the adjusted 1996 census, Nelson City and Tasman District have a total population of 81 900 at June 2000. The total Marlborough and Kaikoura Districts’ population is 43 620.
Agriculture, horticulture, fishing and forestry are major sources of employment in Nelson/Marlborough. The forest industry workforce is highly skilled and there is a well developed forest industry infrastructure. Local authorities recognise the importance of the forest industry to the region and are also significant forest owners.
- The region has 10 percent of New Zealand’s planted production resource.
- Most of the region’s planted production forests are within 60 to 80 kilometres of the two export ports at Nelson and Picton.
- In 1999, Nelson had about 58 percent of the region’s total planted production forest area and 79 percent of the forestry sector employment.
- Nelson/Marlborough’s forest harvest is predicted to increase from 1 833 000 cubic metres in March 2000 to over 2 600 000 cubic metres in 2005. Potential increases over this period are 309 000 cubic metres in Marlborough and 458 000 cubic metres in Nelson.
- The Nelson/Marlborough average site index (tree height in metres at age 20 years) for radiata pine is 27, producing recoverable volumes of 450 to 550 cubic metres per hectare at age 30 years. This is high by world standards.
Topography
The Nelson/Marlborough region comprises the Marlborough Sounds to the northeast, mountains to the west and south, and lowland hill country interspersed by fertile river flats. Most planted production forests are located on the hill country.
Soils
Nelson/Marlborough has four main groups of soils on which forests have been established:
- Stable and uniform gravel hill soils, where most forests are concentrated.
- More erodible granite soils to the west of the region.
- Skeletal hill soils in the Richmond Range and Marlborough Sounds.
- Greywacke soils in south Marlborough.
The gravel hill soils and skeletal hill soils have low to medium fertility and the granite soils are generally low in fertility. Some soils require fertiliser (such as boron, phosphate and nitrogen) to maintain adequate tree growth.
Climate
Nelson/Marlborough’s climate is warm and sunny. Annual rainfall varies from less than 1000 millimetres to over 2000 millimetres, with higher rainfall in the foothills of the major ranges and lower rainfall in the lowlands around Nelson City and Blenheim. Dry periods often occur between January and March, during which strong winds increase forest fire danger.
Prevailing winds are from the west. Major storms occur sporadically and in 1968 and 1975 caused enough damage to mature forest in Nelson to require salvage operations. Isolated windthrow happens where stands are opened up for road or landing construction and along clear felling boundaries.
Contact for Enquiries
Policy Analyst - Forestry
Innovation and Research
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Tel: +64 4 894 0100
Fax: +64 4 894 0741
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