Tēnā koutou katoa Greetings to you all

Carbon farming remains a hot topic with farms continuing to sell to this permanent land use change although there is more uncertainty with the MPI discussion document on Managing Exotic Afforestation Incentives.

Last week we joined Minister Damien O'Connor meeting locals at the Pongaroa Hotel which provided valuable information and answers to many questions.

The Tararua District has been an active partner working alongside 17 other Territorial Authorities, Beef and Lamb NZ and Local Government NZ on a green discussion paper on Managing Forestry Under the Influence of Carbon. We were concerned permanent exotic forestry could displace other productive land uses and significantly change employment and rural communities.

The increase in the price of carbon has seen the profitability of both production and permanent forestry outstrip beef and sheep returns, resulting in significant land use change in the Tararua District. In the past two years 26.9 per cent of farm sales have been to carbon farming, 3.1 per cent to production forestry and 5.1 per cent to mixed use.

Jointly we have submitted to the Government's discussion document supporting the removal of exotic forests from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) with exceptions, and promoted the right tree in the right place with the right management. Without ongoing management there is no certainty a self-sustaining forest will develop or provide biodiversity or other benefits. Seventy-two per cent of the land in the Tararua District is Land Use Classification 6 and 7 which is steeper country and we have had always had production forestry in our district. It is critical we understand land use change economically, socially and the long-term ecological impacts.

We need to reduce our reliance on forestry offsetting to meet our climate change goals. The impacts of responding to climate events and creating resilience has impacted on our rates through roading, water, and stormwater. There will be tough decisions needed to be meet our reductions targets and they will require everyone to play their part.

Noho ora mai.