Latest news with #ElizabethHeeg
RNZ News
14-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Tasman communities hit by growing trees not slash
Locals across the Tasman say the flood damage has been worsened by forestry slash. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Rillstone A forestry industry leader says many of the trees that came down in Tasman areas were growing trees that had fallen, not slash. The head of the Forest Owners Association is flying to flood damaged Tasman as it grapples with fallen trees, forestry slash and silt. It appears the forestry industry itself has taken a big hit with thousands of hectares of pine plantation wiped out. The association's chief executive Elizabeth Heeg told Morning Report the forestry industry was open to changing their management operations. "I appreciate in a really hard event, like what we have just been through, that it seems like there should be a way for us to prevent the wood coming down into the communities, and that's something that we are really interested in working with the communities on." But she said there were several areas that weren't active harvesting operations - which produces slash - but rather growing trees that came down. "We are really going to have to look at, with these multiple storm impacts with climate change, how we are going to manage these forests." Trees down in Nelson Tasman, during extensive flooding and heavy rain. Photo: Supplied/ Nick Smith "At this stage what we know about the damage to forestry is that a lot of it has been driven either by landslides that were in standing forestry, we've possibility got some landslides in areas that have been recently replanted, we've also seen a considerable amount of windthrow - that's where the trees snap off at the base - due to the high winds at the end of last week." She said windthrow looked to have impacted "about 4000 hectares" . "It looks like it is going to be a pretty big recovery and clean up operation," she said. "Some of these specific soil types like the Separation Point Granite get saturate and can just give way, including with all the trees that are on top of them. "We've got a lot of work to do from a climate change adaptation perspective." When asked whether forestry should be using that type of soil, Heeg said "some kind of tree cover was going to need to be planted there". She said forestry was open to having a conversation around how they would ensure tree cover was managed in a stable way. Residents across the Tasman region have said forestry slash has exacerbated flood damage. Bethany Park Campground in Kaiteriteri had extensive flood damage. Photo: SAMUEL RILLSTONE / RNZ Nelson Tasman Civil Defence will again be sending a helicopter out on Tuesday to assess and make contact with isolated households. In the region 18 homes remain without power and six people remain in emergency accommodation. Meanwhile, an information drop-in centre has been set up in Motueka to provide support to flood-affected locals . Deputy chair of the Motueka Community Board and co-ordinator for the local business association Love Motueka, Claire Hutt, told Morning Report there were still a lot of people unable to return home. Hutt said about 60 people could not return home - most were staying with friends and family, but some where in the local hotel. Men cutting up and clearing fallen trees in Motueka Valley. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi "Hotel Motueka still got four rooms full of people who had to be evacuated, and yes, some of the streets in the Motueka township have had raw sewage down the street, yeah, it is not very pleasant." She said sewage had become a real problem for the township. "I don't know what they are going to do... [the sewage] has actually been an issue in the past, it's not their first rodeo in that department. We need to start looking at making sure it doesn't happen again as part of the recovery process. "But top priority is getting as much information out to the community so it's all in one place... and also doing welfare checks on people. "A lot of stress tired, people out there and just turning up with a shovel and a smile can make the world of difference." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Forest Owners Support Restoration Of National Consistency To Forest Regulation
Press Release – NZ Forest Owners Association New Zealand Forest Owners Associationchief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says the forestry sector has long called for clearer, nationally consistent regulation that provides certainty for growers. The New Zealand Forest Owners Association (FOA) says proposed reforms to the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF) will go some way in addressing the challenges forest owners face due to variable and unjustified local council rules. Announced today by Forestry Minister Hon Todd McClay, the reform looks to tighten and clarify the conditions under which councils can impose rules more stringent than the NES-CF and review forestry operations requirements for management of harvest debris. New Zealand Forest Owners Association chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says the forestry sector has long called for clearer, nationally consistent regulation that provides certainty for growers. 'Forest owners have been subject to a growing patchwork of conflicting council rules that contradict national policy,' Elizabeth says. 'Over time, these local variations have disrupted forestry operations, jeopardised long-term investment and undermined confidence in one of New Zealand's most sustainable and regionally significant industries.' 'The NES-CF was originally designed to ensure national consistency in how forestry is managed. It's hoped that, from our initial reading, these proposed changes will help restore that intent and recognise the vital role forestry plays in New Zealand's economic and environmental future.' Elizabeth says forestry is not looking for a regulatory pass – but a fair, science-based regulatory environment that reflects forestry's important contributions to sustainable fibre production, biodiversity and climate outcomes and regional employment. 'It's critical that the reform strikes a careful balance between enabling operational efficiency and strong environmental safeguards by remaining rooted in scientifically supported change.' Elizabeth says the proposed introduction of a mandatory Slash Mobilisation Risk Assessment could be a constructive, practical tool for the industry that will reinforce the work the sector is already undertaking to mitigate climate-induced risk. 'We want to be good neighbours and we want to operate to high standards,' Elizabeth says. 'But we need a framework that's predictable, proportionate and nationally coherent. That's what these changes could offer.' Consultation on the proposed changes to the NES-CF is open until 27 July 2025 through the Ministry for the Environment's website. The NZFOA encourages all those with a stake in the future of forestry in New Zealand — including landowners, wood processors, regional communities and iwi — to engage with the consultation process.
NZ Herald
16-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Fieldays 2025: Forestry Hub returns to showcase the value of trees and wood
Nature enthusiasts can exercise their tree identification skills in the What Tree? challenge, while kids can get hands-on by taking home a native seedling to grow themselves. A wide range of people from across the sector will be on hand to answer questions and share insights into forestry and wood processing in New Zealand, including forest growers, wood processors, farm foresters, scientists and not-for-profit groups. The Growing Native Forests Champions Awards will also make an inaugural appearance during this year's event. The awards will celebrate individuals and groups planting native forests, sharing knowledge, and inspiring others in their regenerative forest efforts. Forest Growers Levy Trust chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg said the annual event celebrated the sector. 'As New Zealand's fourth largest primary export earner, forestry and wood processing are important cornerstones of rural communities,' Heeg said. 'This collaborative event shares the story of our forest growers and wood processors, and the generations before them, who work hard every day to support the vitality of the regions.' Heeg said forestry's role in safeguarding New Zealand's future was set to become even more important, particularly with climate change. 'The hub provides a platform for talking about how forest innovations, like wood-based biofuels and added-value wood products, will support a greener way of living.' Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service's director of forestry engagement and advice, Anna Gordon, said the Fieldays Forestry Hub was a key opportunity to engage rural landowners and the wider public in conversations about the benefits of integrating trees into land use. 'Our forests generate important economic income for the regions, support biodiversity and help in mitigating the effects of climate change,' she said. 'At Fieldays, we're excited to show how planting trees – whether native or commercial – can strengthen farms, landscapes and local economies. 'Fieldays is a great place for us to share what's happening and have real conversations about where the sector is heading.' Visit this year's Fieldays Forestry Hub at Site G80, from June 11–14 at Mystery Creek, Hamilton.
