NZ Farm Forestry Association

31/08/2026

Planting trees on farms:

There are many benefits to planting trees on farms. These include beautification, the environment, providing protection and food for stock, biodiversity and profit. Watch video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZOkP3loUUg&t=36s

31/08/2026

Raising awareness of red needle cast.

Red needle cast (RNC) is a major foliar disease of radiata pine and douglas fir in Aotearoa New Zealand, caused primarily by the plant pathogen, Phytophthera pluvialis. It leads to heavy needle loss and can reduce tree growth by up to 40 percent.
In the latest episode of the Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao’s - Scigest podcast, scientist and host Darryl Herron sits down with forest pathologist Emily McLay to discuss why the needle disease poses such a challenge for forest growers and how research is helping to better predict, prepare and manage it.

Click here to listen to the podcast Raising awareness of red needle cast

Red needle cast is one of the most significant diseases affecting New Zealand's radiata pine forests. Host Darryl Herron sits down with forest pathologist Emily McLay to discuss the disease

31/08/2026

Forestry biosecurity workshops: learn how to spot and report biosecurity threats

SPS Biota is delivering a series of forestry biosecurity training workshops in Dunedin, Nelson, Gisborne and Whangārei in the coming weeks.
The workshops will provide practical training on forest biosecurity, what signs to look for and how to report suspect pests, diseases, or tree health issues so they can be investigated by experts.
These full-day workshops, funded by the FGLT, form part of the NZFOA-NZFFA Forest Biosecurity Committee programme. Through this training, it’s hoped the sector's ability to detect potential threats early will be strengthened, providing the best opportunity to investigate, contain and respond before a pest or pathogen becomes widely established.
Workshop dates:
• Nelson - Wednesday, 9 September
• Gisborne - Tuesday, 22 September
• Whangārei - Tuesday, 6 October
Each workshop runs from 8.30am – 4.30pm. Places are strictly limited to 12 participants per workshop.
To maximise the spread of knowledge and capability across the sector, places will be allocated across a range of forestry organisations, businesses and roles. If you are interested in attending, we encourage you to register as soon as possible.
The workshop flyer contains further information on the training programme and how to register.

Click here for more information and to register

31/08/2026

🪵🪵Workshops for cost-effective logging

Two workshops focused on optimising forestry operations will be held in Richmond and Balclutha over the coming months.
The Improving Production for Cost Effective Logging workshops, coordinated by University of Canterbury forestry engineering professor Rien Visser and Forest Industry Contractors Association (F**A) chief executive Rowan Struthers, will cover a range of topics under productivity and profitability.
Industry speakers will share practical experience and case studies on high production logging and new harvesting technologies.
The workshops, supported by Forest Growers Levy Trust funding, will run for a full day and cost $325 + GST per person, including course materials, tea breaks and lunch.
• Waimea Hotel, Richmond: 8.30am - 4pm, Friday 18 September
• Rosebank Lodge Hotel, Balclutha: 8.30am - 4pm, Friday 16 October

For any queries please contact [email protected]

Click here to register for Richmond https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/nelson-18-sept-improving-logging-efficiency-tickets-1993888932471

Click here to register for Balclutha https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/balclutha-16-oct-improving-logging-efficiency-tickets-1993979646800

Click here for the event flyerhttps://mcusercontent.com/0ac9ebe9fadef306b5a9f82ab/files/af8b427d-b9a2-bac3-b515-d43c9ef00ec0/ForestEng_Productivity_Course_Nelson_Balclutha_2026_1_.pdf

28/08/2026

28/08/2026

Forestry property rates could soar in Carterton under proposed road funding changes.

27/08/2026

Douglas Fir - NZ Oregon Sawlogs Urgently Required

Any considered of a decent Millable Grade.

Our Normal lengths are 3.6m, 4.8m and 6m, But we currently have a special requirement for 7.5m.

We will consider Recently Felled logs or still Standing mature plantations or wood lots - We can arrange harvesting companies for you.

Fair Prices paid

We are in North Canterbury so the closer the better, but we will consider further away Materials

We are also interested in Macrocarpa, Larch and other species

Contact details

Will Holmes 021 864 398 [email protected]

Amos Sutherland 021 0884 6796 [email protected]

27/08/2026

🌳🌳Wellington Branch Events

1. Coming events
Saturday 12 September – portable sawmill demonstration, Wairarapa
The Wairarapa branch is continuing its series on Strengthening the Alternative Species Supply Chain in the Wairarapa. This particular event will be about portable mills and other ways to turn logs into timber. There will be examples of bandsaw mills, swingblade mills, and an Alaskan chainsaw mill. Several locally grown species will be milled including cypress, redwood, eucalypts, poplar and blackwood.
The aim is to explore the practicalities of small or micro-scale harvesting, milling, and use of locally grown species. We encourage a wide ranging discussion on the role of portable milling in strengthening the supply chain.
For each mill the miller will open discussion with a brief overview of its strengths and weaknesses, purchase and operating costs, and what they use their mill for. After a bit of discussion they will mill a few cants then stop to take further questions. There will be plenty of time for discussion.
Venue, date and time: Rewanui Forest Park car park, 22 kms along the Masterton-Castlepoint Road. Entrance opposite the Riversdale turn-off. Saturday 12th September, 2 pm – 5 pm. Dress warmly and bring a hot drink and ear protection. RSVP please to Harry Livesey on [email protected]
If the weather is wet, the event will be postponed until Saturday 19th September.
Monday 14 September – branch dinner, 1841 Johnsonville
It’s time we all got together for a meal. As far as I remember we missed out last year, and this year is rushing towards a General Election and Christmas, so the sooner we meet the better. The 1841 restaurant in Johnsonville is cheap and cheerful with lots of parking nearby, and they’ll give us an upstairs room as before. What’s more, on Mondays you can get two-for-one mains, which should keep the costs down if you bring a friend.
We’ll try to find a speaker who can tell us some good things about the future. Of course that’s going to be a challenge, so don’t get too excited, but come if you can anyway.
Venue, date and time: 1841 Bar and Restaurant, 1 Disraeli St, Johnsonville, Monday 14 September, from 6 pm. RSVP please to [email protected]
Sunday 11 October – Refresher on forestry basics, Upper Hutt
Dave Gratton has offered to host a refresher on forestry basics at his farm in Upper Hutt. Pending the availability of planting stock he will demonstrate the planting of totara and cypress, and perhaps hand pruning and thinning. Also on show will be new pines established after root raking. The day should prompt discussion about the stages of planting and tending a new forest, covering stocking rates, genetics, w**d control, releasing and so forth.
After meeting at the implement shed where Dave will describe his forest, the different species and management practices, we will drive up hill to inspect site preparation, new planting, genetics and spacings, with a demonstration of how to plant a tree and how to estimate spacing.
We will then discuss when and what to prune, when to thin, final stocking rates and tricks for estimating stocking rates. There will be a demonstration of lopper and chainsaw pruning, and ladders and safety equipment such as harnesses.
The thinning discussion will cover the best ages to thin, what chainsaw skills are required, the health and safety regulations and the training Unit Standards available. There will be plenty of time for questions and Dave has many years of experience as a successful forester, so here is a chance to learn from someone who has done that, and still has all his own fingers.
Venue, date and time: Meet at 10 am on Sunday 11 October at 6A Bridge Road, Birchville, Upper Hutt (go up the Akatarawa Road, then left across the river). Dave will provide morning tea, but bring food and drink for lunch in the forest. Who knows what the weather will do, so come prepared for anything. RSVP please to Dave on [email protected]

25/08/2026

Media statement: Energy Estate, Kākāriki Renewables & NZ Bio Forestry sign MOU to revitalise forestry hubs.

Energy Estate, Kākāriki Renewables and NZ Bio Forestry sign MOU to revitalise
forestry hubs through clean energy and bioindustry
• MOU will explore integrated clean energy, forestry biomass and infrastructure opportunities for nextgeneration
bio-industrial precincts.
• Collaboration will assess how former and existing forestry hubs can be repurposed to support advanced
manufacturing and regional development.
• The parties aim to align clean energy supply, forestry resources, infrastructure and partnership with mana
whenua to create long-term regional opportunities.
Energy Estate, Kākāriki Renewables and NZ Bio Forestry have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
to investigate opportunities that combine renewable energy, forestry biomass and enabling infrastructure
within integrated bio-industrial precincts.
The agreement brings together complementary expertise in clean energy, infrastructure development and bioindustrial
technology. The parties will assess how these capabilities can support the revitalisation and
repurposing of forestry hubs, advanced manufacturing and long-term regional economic development.
Energy Estate Co-Founder Simon Currie said the collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to
forestry regions and to giving established industrial locations a renewed economic purpose.
“Forestry has helped shape communities and regional economies across New Zealand. This collaboration
is about working with NZ Bio Forestry to explore how forestry hubs can be revitalised and repurposed,
bringing together clean energy, infrastructure and new industries to breathe life into regions and strengthen
economies affected by industrial change.”
“NZ Bio Forestry’s goal of creating higher value uses for forestry resources is closely aligned with Energy
Estate’s approach to integrated precinct development. By connecting energy, customers, supply chains,
infrastructure and communities from the outset, we can investigate practical opportunities that create
enduring regional value.
The parties will undertake site assessments, technical and commercial feasibility studies, master planning,
stakeholder engagement and evaluation of delivery models for potential projects. The work will consider
renewable energy supply, biomass utilisation, energy storage, waste heat recovery and other complementary
industrial uses.
NZ Bio Forestry CEO Wayne Mulligan said the partnership builds on the company’s work to create higher
value uses for wood fibre, biomass and forestry residues while supporting regional employment,
decarbonisation and advanced manufacturing.
“Forestry communities have experienced the effects of restructuring and economic decline, even while
remaining close to some of New Zealand’s most significant forestry resources. This partnership begins by
acknowledging that history and then looking forward: building trust, creating value and restoring
opportunity.”
“By bringing together renewable energy, infrastructure and bio-industrial capability, we can investigate how
renewable carbon from New Zealand’s plantation forests can support fuels, chemicals, advanced
materials and other high-value products. Our goal is to create opportunities that benefit regional
communities and can provide a model for other parts of New Zealand.”
Kākāriki Renewables General Manager Solar & Strategic Iwi Partnerships, Robin Paratene, said the company’s
“Te Kupenga-a-Māui”, or Māui’s Net, provides a regional framework for connecting renewable generation with
existing and emerging energy demand across the greater Bay of Plenty.
“Māui’s Net is about planning energy supply around the needs and strengths of the region. It brings together
Kākāriki’s generation opportunities at Whakatāne and Reporoa with potential manufacturing and industrial
demand at Kaingaroa Village, Kawerau and Rotorua, including NZ Bio Forestry’s vision.”
“We want to develop these regional schemes in partnership with mana whenua, landowners, communities,
networks and industry. If this approach proves successful, we will look for similar opportunities elsewhere
in Aotearoa where renewable energy can enable productive industries and support strong regional
economies.”
The MOU is non-binding and provides a framework for collaboration and due diligence. Any future projects
will be subject to feasibility assessments, stakeholder and community engagement, regulatory approvals,
governance approvals and commercial evaluation.
ENDS
About Energy Estate
Energy Estate develops and invests in renewable energy, digital infrastructure and
integrated energy precincts that accelerate the energy transition and electrification of
transport and other energy-intensive industries while delivering long-term value for communities, partners
and investors. To find out more go to https://www.energyestate.com/
About Kākāriki Renewables
Kākāriki is a New Zealand renewable energy developer focused on delivering large-scale
wind, solar and storage projects that help accelerate the country’s shift to a lowemissions
economy. Its portfolio is guided by a goal of 600% renewables and a commitment to projects that
are technically strong, environmentally sound and socially inclusive. To find out more go to
https://kakarikirenewables.com/
About NZ Bio Forestry
NZ Bio Forestry is developing technologies and bio-industrial facilities that convert plantation
forestry biomass into biofuels, biochemicals and other high-value bio-industrial products. The
company is focused on advancing New Zealand’s forest bioeconomy through new applications
for renewable carbon and forestry resources. To find out more go to https://www.nzbioforestry.co.nz/
For further information contact:
Rosie King, Director, Partnerships & Engagement
[email protected]
Wayne Mulligan, CEO and Founder, NZ Bio Forestry
[email protected] +64 27 472 5838

NZ Bio Forestry is a multi-national company that focuses on transforming plantation forestry biomass into bio-fuels, bio-chemicals and innovative materials that can dramatically reduce the need for fossil fuels

25/08/2026

Lower North Branch – NZ Farm Forestry Assn

Field Day and AGM : Saturday 26 September

Port Albert & Wharehine area,
west of Wellsford towards the Kaipara Harbour.

REMINDER
Hopefully you have all managed to save this date. As outlined earlier the programme looks like this.
• 9.30 am - Gather at Peter & Glenda Berg’s, 1155 Wharehine Rd Port Albert (turn west at the Caltex on the main street through Wellsford, follow the signs for Port Albert until you reach the Wharf Road cross roads, follow Wharehine Road to the left for about 500m until you see 1155. (But if you need special coffee pop down Wharf Road to the Port Albert store, who won’t disappoint. Look across the river, hard to believe there was once a large kauri sawmill and international port shipping to places like San Francisco and Sydney).

• Look at a few representative species (C Lusitanica, Redwood, Euc globoidia, E muelleriana, E laevopinea, E quadrangulata) – & have morning tea. Their pine block across the road, harvested last year, has just been replanted – WITH WHAT, and WHY?.
• Drive up the road in convoy ( about 6 kms ) to Nigel & Jeanette Price’s block, 69 Witheford Rd, Wharehine, and look at the pine harvesting job just completed and the eucalyptus remnants and discuss management options from here. Eucalyptus -Pilularis, Saligna, Botryoides, Muelleriana ( age 32 yrs )
• Look at Nigel & Jeanette’s new small Wood Mizer portable mill and see some of his eucs sawn up … more for personal / farm use rather than commercial.
• Travel back to the historic Wharehine Hall for a provided lunch & the AGM. The Hall was once the local school and has been restored recently including some great historic information and some of the famous Harold Marsh photographs. Just around the corner on Shegadeen Road is the equally famous Minniesdale Chapel, the frames for which were shipped from England more than 150 years ago. This wee church featured on the TV series ‘Coast’ a couple of years ago and is notable for its expansive views of the Kaipara Harbour.
• AGM will be short and to the point simply to complete the necessary formalities;
1. Jim Tobin has indicated he will step down as Chair, - can we have nominations for a new branch chair please. It would be good to have a couple of volunteers for the committee, but no-one will be shoe-horned into a job so don’t let that stop you from coming along … even the kids will enjoy the day.
2. In a couple of years Lower North branch may be due to once again host the national conference and AGM – do we have any interest in doing so again.
3. If any of Mary and Richard Lloyd, Gary and Elizabeth Hansen, Emma Joyce or Brett Atwell see this message or anyone knows their whereabouts could they contact the Wellington Office as their email address seems to be out of date.

• Let us know if you are coming along if you can so we can cater adequately.
• Depart about 2.00pm.

Nigel Price [email protected]