Special government initiatives
Although planted forests are primarily used for wood production they can provide other regional and national benefits. These have been recognised in four specific government forestry encouragement projects.
East Coast Forestry Project
The East Coast Forestry project is a Crown funded initiative to promote commercial forestry as a means of controlling soil erosion, providing employment, assisting regional development and recognising environmental needs on individual properties. The goal is to plant 7,000 hectares of commercially productive forest annually on erodible land in the East Coast Region. The Project aims to plant 200,000 hectares over 28 years.
The project is administered by the Ministry of Forestry.
Northland
A Government initiative is under way to assist Northland to realise its potential for an expanded forestry estate. Ministry of Forestry staff in Northland will bring together land owners, investors, councils, Maori authorities and conservation groups in order to encourage coordinated forestry development. The Ministry of Forestry’s role will not only be one of facilitation and provision of information but also to advise the Minister on the future support that is needed to address the impediments to forestry development in Northland, including development on Maori land in multiple ownership.
South Island high country
Land degradation is a critical issue in the South Island high country. The reduction in soil fertility, organic matter, and moisture retention capacity, the breakdown of soil structure, and the impact of rabbits and hawkweeds eventually result in desert-like conditions. Accelerated soil erosion is the result.
The South Island High Country Task Force was established in 1991, to promote the integration of rangeland forests, agroforests and planted production forests with more conventional pastoral use of land in the high country.
Rabbit and Land Management programme
The aim of this programme is to approach rabbit management as an integral part of land use and management on about 100 pastoral properties covering an area of approximately 400,000 hectares in the South Island high country. It promotes the integration of forestry with more conventional pastoral use of land. Government contributes 70% of the costs of approved rabbit control and land management works. The programme expires in 1995, and policy relating to the high country is currently under review.
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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