Maori afforestation project moves ahead

PLANS TO CREATE NEW PLANTATION FORESTS ON MAORI LAND across New Zealand are making progress, according to one of the key people behind the project.

Launched three years ago, the Toitu Te Waonui initiative was formed to assist Maori turn under-utilised land into productive forests with outside investment assistance.

Forestry consultant Andy Dick, who is one of the team that helped to set it up, told the New Zealand Institute of Forestry conference in Rotorua last month that up to 1.2 million hectares of Maori land falls into the ‘under-utilised’ category.

The group believes forestry is the most productive solution for this land, but lack of access to funding is holding it back from being developed.

Toitu Te Waonui, which comprises members of Interpine, Scion Research and the Tuia Group, along with influential individuals, came up with a plan to develop Maori forests in three regions; one in Northland, another in the Bay of Plenty and the third in the Manawatu.

But progress has been slow and Mr Dick admits the original targets were over-ambitious and relied too much on central funding.

However, he says the vision is still very much alive and has recently been bolstered by a feasibility study that has scientifically quantified the land available for afforestation.

The group has rationalised its plans to focus on the Bay of Plenty at the moment and is currently working with an offshore investor to fund the establishment of the first new forest on 1,000 hectares of Maori land. If that is successful, the group will enter into a three-year programme targeting 15,000 hectares.

Among the difficulties facing projects to develop Maori land is identifying all the various owners. Dr Charlotte Severne, who is Chairperson of the Lake Rotoaire Trusts Forests and Lake, covered this issue in her presentation to the conference, but says it is not insurmountable.

While land could be owned by hundreds or thousands of Maori individuals or families, many are difficult, or even impossible to trace and may never be traced, she says. But that hasn’t stopped her Trust from being able to develop its assets, which largely comprise the Crown-leased forests just to the south of Lake Taupo, and to be able to provide annual dividends to the 58% of the 11,552 owners that are registered with it.

NZL