Executive Summary
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Land Cover Database has been used as the basis for this study. This has allowed accurate definition of the area of New Zealand that actually supports high indigenous forest. Cadastral information has then been overlaid to define the areas of the natural forest estate that are in Maori ownership. Subsequent to this, forest class data has been used to define areas of indigenous forest that have current commercial timber potential in terms of the requirements of the Amended Forests Act.
This analysis indicates that (with the exception of SILNA land), Maori land that supports indigenous forest, is found almost exclusively in the North Island and is approximately 614,000 hectares in size. Within this land base, there are areas that are either too small to be viable prospects for sustainable forest management, are too far from infrastructure, or support forest classes that have little or no timber potential in the near term. In addition there are areas that are under various forms of reservation such as Nga Whenua Rahui.
Once all these deductions are removed, the area of land that supports indigenous forest that has current timber production potential is estimated at 204,900 hectares. The standing volume on this land is then estimated at 9 million cubic metres. This is a very significant resource with considerable economic worth. Further, there are very large areas of regenerating forest that have the potential to significantly increase the sustainable harvest in the longer term.
While it is difficult to place a value upon this resource, even using a nominal stumpage of $20/cubic metre, it has a liquidation value of over $180 million. Current legislation prevents such a liquidation value being realised. A more accurate reflection of value is the net value of a sustained yield harvest. Based upon an increment of 0.35cubic metres /hectare/year, the increment potential is 71,000 cubic metres/year. Again using a nominal stumpage of $20/cubic metre this has a potential net value of $1.4 million annually assuming the entire increment is harvested. In reality the net stumpage being achieved from indigenous timber is significantly above this level and is continuing to rise. Current anecdotal evidence indicates the stumpage to be around $100/cubic metre across all species indicating a potential total annual stumpage of around $7 million.
In addition to the strict economic worth of this asset, there is considerable potential to develop a range of employment and environmental opportunities based on this resource.
Employment potential comes from forest management and downstream processing. In order to maximise both the opportunity and the likelihood of long-term success, Maori must have considerable involvement and ownership of the process. Central and local Government may be able to provide guidance in certain areas, but the energy should come from the owners. Any proposal should be based upon a viable business case with sound long-term prospects.
Key environmental benefits of sustainable forest management of these forests have also been identified. Most important of these is the management of plant and animal pests within these forests. At present this work is largely ignored and the forests are suffering accordingly. If a forest is to be managed under a sustainable forest management plan the requirement of sustainability within the legislation and the probable elevation of the value of the forest to the owners will result in a considerably greater focus on pest management.
The conservation ethic is strong within Maori, particularly in relation to their forests. If sustainable forest management is seen as being a means by which the forest can help to sustain the people, and consequent pest management can help to sustain the forest, there is likely to be significant buy-in to the concept.
A sustainable harvest of timber from these forests will require approval of a Sustainable Forest Management Plan by MAF. Each proposal must be examined on its merits in order to ensure that all criteria are met. This includes the need for detailed inventory for each forest being considered and addressing any issues raised in local government plans. At this stage of the development of any forest management proposal there is a need for significant technical input in both in the forest information and the development of business plans
A considerable level of distrust exists among Maori owners of forests. This distrust is towards Government (local and central), and towards people who may be perceived as simply trying to make a "fast buck" at the expense of the forest.. This is to be addressed if Maori are to be convinced that development of their forests can proceed with a probability of success.
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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