Forestry Hub returns to Fieldays
Two public forums and several displays will feature
Following its inaugural success last year, the Fieldays Forestry Hub will again feature when Fieldays 2023 returns to its traditional winter slot, from June 14-17, at Mystery Creek in Waikato.
Like last year, the Fieldays Forestry Hub, located at site G80, will host about 20 sector organisations and focus on the theme of ‘Wood, our lowcarbon future’, with staff from large companies and small not-for-profit agencies on-hand to provide information and answer questions.
This year, a new series of forums and talks will enhance the learning experience of visitors wanting to know more about the forestry and wood processing sector.
The hub will host two public forums, supported by NZME, which
will be fronted by The Country radio host Jamie Mackay, who will moderate a debate between a panel of speakers.
The first forum’s topic will be: ‘Food and wood — how much land does each need?’ It is on Wednesday, June 14 at 2pm.
The second forum on Thursday, June 15 at 2pm will address the topic: ‘Are all trees created equal?’
Other attractions include a forestry simulator, so visitors can experience what it’s like to operate machinery in a forest, and a couple of large forestry machines to view close-up.
Forestry Minister Peeni Henare has been invited to officially launch the hub for 2023 on Wednesday, June 14 at 11am.
The hub is a collaboration between Fieldays and an advisory group comprising Te Uru Ra¯kau — New Zealand Forest Service, Forest Growers Levy Trust, Scion, the NZ Forest Owners’ Association, Red Stag, NZ Farm Forestry Association and Future Foresters.
Hub spokesperson Alex Wilson says the sector has begun a partnership with the Government including the launch of a $57 million Wood Processing Grant Fund in April and the release of the Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) last November.
“The sector can expect more information on the ITP projects to be released at Fieldays.
“The wider public can anticipate an engaging experience on the possibilities of trees and wood as the sector helps to mitigate climate change and addresses the challenges of wetter and hotter weather in many parts of the country.
The forestry and wood processing sector is New Zealand’s fourth-largest primary industry exporter and a major contributor to regional economies and employment.
“Fieldays gives our sector a particular opportunity to have conversations with rural landowners about the opportunities to grow trees for timber, protect the land and store carbon. ”
New Zealand Farm Forestry Association president Neil Cullen says many farming organisations agree that an integrated tree planting approach on-farm is the best way forward to address the many environmental land use issues.
“The Farm Forestry Association will have a significant presence at the Fieldays Forestry Hub to explain how its members have practically implemented this approach, which tree species work best and what the costs and returns are.”