Farm Forestry New ZealandResilient landscapes - The Hawke's Bay conference
Hawke's Bay Branch, New Zealand Tree Grower November 2023.
From 9-13 April 2023 Napier War Memorial Conference Centre
Resilient landscapes
Tim Forde, Chair of the Hawke’s Bay branch, says that his team are looking forward to hosting the conference. It was hard to settle on a theme which realistically depicted the Hawke’s Bay region after the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle, but ‘resilient landscapes’ sums it up.This conference provides an opportunity to demonstrate just how the region are recovering after Cyclone Gabrielle.
There have been many lessons from the adverse weather, including how different species of trees had helped the various landscapes during the bad weather.There is still much to learn since the cyclone. The committee have endeavoured to put together a memorable event to present examples of the province’s assets, of which there are many. In addition, attendees will also hear about the many changes affecting forestry.
The conference is a chance for Hawke’s Bay to promote the good work of places such as Cape Sanctuary, and how strong the relationships are between Hawke’s Bay farm foresters and key businesses including PanPac, Napier Port and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council – all of whom are critical to forestry.
There will be the usual awards dinner.The NZFFA Farm Forester of the Year awards will be presented, as well as the Michael Hay Memorial Award and the New Zealand Landcare Trust Award for Innovation in Sustainable Farm Forestry.
Organisers have stuck with the tried-and-true action group meetings format on the opening day of the conference.Wednesday is the business end of conference. In the morning, NZFFA members can have their say at the Council meeting and the AGM. It will be followed in the afternoon by a series of seminars and workshops. The day culminates with Julia Jones as the guest speaker at the welcome dinner in the evening. Julia is the former head of analytics at NZX and previously KPMG farm enterprise specialist.
The programme has been designed to accommodate those who can attend only part of the conference, but the three days of field trips will most certainly be the highlights.There will be organised tours through the Napier Port, PanPac Whirinaki and Cape Sanctuary which will give an insight into the some of the many things going on which not many will have had have a chance to see before.
Attendees will also see some of the damage the cyclone caused and the different ways people have taken to move forward in such challenging times. Friday’s field trip will incorporate the Tuki Tuki catchment through to central Hawke’s Bay to see the effect on highly productive rural areas.There will be examples of blackwood erosion control planting and areas of well planted landscapes.
Saturday’s field trip is a special visit to Cape Sanctuary – a predator fenced area incorporating Cape Kidnappers.This sanctuary, developed by the Robinson and Lowe families shows native biodiversity work to an exceptional level.
It is not the first time Hawke’s Bay has hosted the national conference, which will showcase examples and initiatives to help farmers improve sustainable land use, increase biodiversity and champion a resilient environment.
Programme summary
- Tuesday 9 April is a full day for the action groups including Eucalypt Action Group, Cypress Development Group, Indigenous Forestry Section, Sequoia Action Group, Acacia Melanoxylon Interest Group, Farm Forestry Timbers, Poplar and Willow Action Group and Oaks New Zealand.
- Wednesday 10 April starts with the Councillors meeting and is followed by the AGM.The afternoon is workshops and seminars and the evening opens with welcome drinks, then dinner with Julia Jones as the keynote speaker.
- Thursday is the first of the field days with a tour of Napier Port and a tour of PanPac Whirinaki. Friday includes field trips to Tuki Tuki, Elsthorpe and Otane.
- Saturday concludes with a visit to Cape Sanctuary and a farewell dinner.
Book now
Register online here or download the registration form
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