Newly launched forestry service

Five days after launching, Forestry Minister Shane Jones announced the Government’s new forestry service – called Te Uru Rakau – will partner with Manuka Farming NZ to plant 1.8 million Manuka trees throughout the country this year.

On May 11 the Minister launched Te Uru Rakau, which he believes is the first step in re-establishing a forestry service in New Zealand.

 “I believe Te Uru Rakau will play a key role in supporting and promoting our vision for a flourishing forestry sector, delivering sustainable jobs in our regions, forestry workforce development and training, economic growth while helping meet our country’s climate change targets.”

On May 16 he announced the Manuka partnership.  “This Government has a target to get one billion trees in the ground over the next 10 years and doing that will require innovation and genuine partnerships with the private sector, local councils, iwi and non-government organisations,” says Shane.

“Te Uru Rakau will provide up to $1.8 million to Manuka Farming NZ to source seedlings, work with landowners to undertake site assessments to assess land suitability and provide an overall planting plan.

“Seedlings will then be provided free of charge to landowners who proceed with planting. Individual assessments to assess land suitability for establishing Manuka plantations will take place in May-June and planting will occur from July-September.

Products in demand

Shane says Manuka is a valued native forest species and plantations can help prevent erosion plus provide diversified income streams and environmentally sustainable land-use options for landowners.

“Products from Manuka, such as honey and oil, are in high and increasing demand both domestically and globally. The planting plan will take into account the suitability of available land for production of Manuka honey, readiness for planting this winter, and availability of suitable Manuka cultivars.

“Manuka Farming NZ will purchase most of the seedlings from Kauri Park Nurseries and already has 100,000 seedlings available.

“Landowners will need to cover the costs of dispatching the seedlings from the nursery, pest and weed control, fencing if required, planting costs and post-plant monitoring.

“In order to ensure the best possible delivery of outcomes, the approach also includes the funding of initial consultancy services to landowners via Manuka Farming NZ.

“This will include confirmation of sites suitable for Manuka, ensuring effective pest control is in place, land preparation can be completed in time for planting, seedlings are matched to the available site and confirmation that labour for planting is available,” says Shane.

The launch of Te Uru Rakau in Rotorua last month revealed the service will have its head office in regional New Zealand – honouring the coalition commitment made between New Zealand First and Labour.

Rotorua base

 “New Zealand’s old forestry service was disestablished in 1987 and in recent years our forestry sector has experienced decline but we’re determined to shine the spotlight on forestry once more,” says Shane.

“Te Uru Rakau will build a strong and dedicated forestry presence in Rotorua, recognising that Rotorua is at the heart of the forestry sector in NZ. Forestry is our third largest export earner – with an annual gross income of about $5 billion – and has the potential to grow.

“I’m pleased to be able to announce that Budget 2018 will set aside $15 million of operating funds to boost the capability of the new service, enabling it to work with landowners, provide forestry expertise and deliver on the Government’s forestry objectives.

“We’re also launching an online tree counter to keep track of the One Billion Trees goal. This will be updated weekly throughout the winter planting season and will show how many trees have been planted, the number of tree seedlings sold and the percentage of native versus exotic species,” says Shane.

“Since coming into government, we’ve given Crown Forestry the mandate to enter into commercial arrangements with landowners, provided $5.8 million of operating funding to scale up production of native seedlings and announced a nationwide planting programme over Matariki to recognise the men and women of our New Zealand Defence Force.

“Cabinet will sign off the exact functions, size and governance structure of Te Uru Rakau later this year,” says Shane.

Landowners interested in the Manuka seedling initiative should contact Manuka Farming NZ directly.


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