6. Assistance to Owners
Since 1993 the former Ministry of Forestry (MOF), MAF, including the IFU, and private organisations such as NZ Farm Forestry Association has published a range of material to assist forest owners to:
- understand Part IIIA of the Forests Act;
- enable them to prepare applications for the harvesting of timber; and
- provide a basis for the preparation of draft SFM Plans and Permit applications for their forests.
The Ministry is limited in its capacity to provide substantial individual assistance. However on-site visits to discuss particular issues are often arranged with forest owners and are undertaken in conjunction with other forest inspections in the locality. Technical advice is also provided to owners on inventory methodology and analysis.
6.1 SFM Permits
The information requested as part of SFM Permit applications is not onerous. Where forest owners have a limited knowledge of their forest, timber resources etc, Ministry staff will assist them to determine additional detail required at the time forest inspection is undertaken as part of the approval process. Forest owners are also given advice on silvicultural management and directed to sources of additional information.
6.2 SFM Plans
The process leading up to the submission of a draft SFM Plan sometimes involves regular contact with forest owners. Advice and assistance provided may include:
- contact details of known forestry consultants in the region;
- suggestions as to methods and intensity of forest inventory;
- advice on analysis and interpretation of data;
- sources of technical and ecological information; and
- options for forest management.
This may also involve a field visit with the forest owner.
Contact for Enquiries
MAF Information Services
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
Fax: +64 4 894 0721
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