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Newsletter 152, August 2024

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In this issue

Events

For more information on these events, they are posted on the NZFFA website »
Branch secretaries, please make sure you notify head office of any branch or action group events.

We need an Awards Manager

The Executive has reviewed the Awards the NZFFA gives out each year, and quickly decided that they are a good idea, and we should celebrate them more. However the present Awards process is a bit hit-and-miss, and we need a much better system, from basic record keeping through to making the presentations. Basically we need to appoint someone as an Awards Manager: a good organiser who could be thorough and professional and make sure things happened on time. This is project management. The basic job description is:

  • Promote the awards to branches and members well in advance of the closing dates
  • Ensure there are records of who has won the awards, past and present 
  • Make sure all the awards criteria are written down and accessible
  • Make sure there are appropriate judges, and a proper judging process 
  • Make sure all nominees are kept fully informed 
  • Make sure the award winners are at the ceremony wherever this is possible
  • Commission the necessary certificates and/or engraving
  • Ensure the relevant award money is available from the sponsor or the NZFFA
  • Manage, or delegate to a capable person(s), the whole awards evening process 
  • Manage and help obtain the sponsorship of the awards.

If you are a good organiser, have the time and would like to be part of the team, please tell us. Some of it will be fun. Contact Vaughan on ruapehusawmills@xtra.co.nz.

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We are seeking nominations for Levy Committees 

The Forest Growers Levy Trust runs 8 committees that manage the way the levy is spent. The committees oversee a large work programme, with projects in forest research, biosecurity, transport, training, fire, the environment, promotions, and small and medium enterprises. The committees are made up of FOA and FFA members and co-opted participants with specialist skills or experience, who all volunteer their time. Generally they meet 4 times a year. Contact Graham on westlanduse@gmail.com. 

We would like more NZFFA members on these committees to help put a small forest owner perspective. If you are interested in knowing what’s going on and having a say in how the levy money is spent, tell us and we’ll try to get you on to one of them. For background, see https://www.fglt.org.nz/work-programme.

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We want suggestions for New Years Honours

Several NZFFA members have done excellent work over many years, and deserve gongs for their contributions to the country and to their communities. If you believe anyone should be recognised that way please tell head office, giving us all the information you can about their life and work, and referring us to people who might know more about them. We’d like to see forestry people featured in the New Years Honours or Kings Birthday Honours lists. Think about it, and let us know. Contact Vaughan on ruapehusawmills@xtra.co.nz.

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We are inviting grant applications – work up your ideas 

If you want money for an important project that will help forestry, apply to the Levy Board. Applications for grants can be made from October this year, for work during 2025. NZFFA members usually apply for around $750,000 a year across a range of subjects, from transport to seed collection, timber trials and training. Details are available from https://www.fglt.org.nz/work-programme/funding-process.

Committees will be selective and will try to prioritise those projects likely to deliver most value for money and strong outcomes for growers. 

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Thanks for helping with the Alternative Species field days

The series of field days on Alternative Species you hosted around the country was very successful. They attracted over 500 non-members, and you showed them some great properties and gave them a first class experience.

Te Horo alternative species field day, with cypresses

We’ve had some very positive feedback and impressed several Te Uru Rakau Extension Officers. Thanks to everyone for putting in so much effort. The lessons a few of us learned from organising the events were:

  1. It was difficult to schedule the field days because the volunteer hosts around the country were all doing different things. Some could commit months in advance, but others could not. When we had little notice of the venue and time, it was hard to arrange publicity. Ideally we’d like to have the full schedule of events ready a month or two in advance.
  2. With most field days branch members helped with the arrangements and on the day, so things ran smoothly and everyone went home happy. When the host had little support there were problems: perhaps signage was inadequate, equipment was not available, or paperwork was neglected. We could do much better if there was a small team ready and willing to help out.
  3. Although we gave each host with a run sheet, some did not hold a debrief after the field visit, which limited the time for questions and filling in feedback forms. Of course there was discussion prior to and during the field visits and a good exchange of information, but we need a robust paper trail as evidence of the day’s outcomes.
Taupo alternative species field day, a picnic atmosphere

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Have you experienced a wildfire in New Zealand’s native forests?

As part of an Extreme Wildfire programme, Scion’s Fire and Atmospheric Sciences team is evaluating the wildfire risk of Kauri, podocarp and beech forests. It has developed a questionnaire for anyone with experience of wildfires in native forests, and is gathering information to better understand the historical risk of such fires, now and in the future.

The survey has been running a while but they still need more input. If you have experience of a fire in a native forest, or have seen a native forest act as a fire break, please fill out this questionnaire and share the link widely with others you know with a similar experience. It only takes 10 minutes. Questionnaire link

If the link is not working or you would like more information on this research, please contact lisa.langer@scionresearch.com. Thank you for your time and contribution.

Lisa Langer, Scion

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Te Uru Rakau - Wood Processing Growth Fund Update 12th July 2024

The Wood Processing Growth Fund second capital investment round of the Accelerator programme is now open, and applications must be received by 26 August 2024.

Accelerator provides loans or equity finance to co-fund capital investment in new capacity and improvements that increase onshore wood processing capacity or productivity and improve competitiveness. 

We are seeking projects that are investment ready from those advanced in planning a new wood processing development, or an expansion or upgrade to existing sawmills, engineered wood, panels, or roundwood production. There is up to $33M for debt or equity investment in capital projects aimed at expanding wood processing.

The Fund also provides grants for pre-investment activities such as business cases, feasibility studies and technical assistance through the Catalyst programme. This provides up to $2 million per year in conditional grants to support feasibility studies and related pre-capital activities for wood processing projects.

The Fund is managed by Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service in collaboration with Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit. For information about how to apply see https://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forest-industry-and-workforce/wood-processing-growth-fund/ 

In addition, we can help connect you with other Government funding and support programmes including the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund, NZTE, EECA, MBIE Kānoa, Callaghan Innovation, Green Investment Finance, Waste Minimisation Fund, Scion, and Export Credit Office. If you have any questions or would like to discuss making an application, please either email or call us on wpgf@mpi.govt.nz or 0800 00 83 33.

Looking to upgrade an existing sawmill?

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UN climate change conference COP29.

New Zealand Citizens, Permanent Residents, and those affiliated with a New Zealand organisation, can now apply for access to COP29 via a New Zealand ‘Party overflow’ badge. This process is intended increase access and inclusivity for business and civil society participants to the UN climate change conference. 

Interested applicants must fill out an Expression of Interest form available on https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B8XKJWT. We will aim to process applications within 10 working days, and successful applicants will be informed via email. Further information, including eligibility criteria, is availability on the MFAT website.

If you have any questions about this process, please email us at NZ.COP@mfat.govt.nz with the email title ‘COP29 EOI’. 

Climate Change Team
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

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Interested in the International Forest Stewardship Council?

The NZFFA is a member of FSC and because I am the Treasurer they send me all of the information, but frankly I am not the right person do deal with their concerns. Firstly I don’t have time, and secondly while it’s important, so are a million other things. 

Right now I have persuaded Michael Orchard to help but anyone who strongly believes in the FSC’s work and politics, and who wants to become the key contact for the NZFFA, please let me know. You will need to receive the emails, think about what they mean, and if you think we should take any action, make recommendations to the Executive. Don’t all shout at once. Elizabeth Heeg of the Forest Owners Association is already familiar with the FSC and if we simply ignore them she will be the only spokesperson on behalf of commercial forestry in NZ. She’s lovely but she’s not NZFFA. Contact me, Howard at Treasurer@nzffa.org.nz.

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Mystery Creek Field days

June of this year saw the NZFFA return to the National Field Days at Mystery Creek for the third time as a national organisation. Again we were in the Forestry Hub, a pavilion taken seriously by politicians who have used it to make speeches and espouse the virtues of the industry. It has also been taken seriously by the science providers and organisations that support the forest industry.

This year we rubbed shoulders with Scion, Forest Growers Research. The Forest Owners Association, Save the Kiwi, Tānes Tree Trust, Balanced Forestry, the Wood Councils, Forest Industry Contractors Association, Whenua Oho, Tāmata Hauha, NZ Carbon Farming, Roger Dickie, Te Uru Rakau, Forest Enterprises, Timberlands and quite a few others.

The NZFFA has continued to be the star of the show. With the “Kids Grow a Tree” promotion and the Alternative Species Cabin located directly outside, we had a huge presence. Our own stand took up a large section of one quadrant of the tent. It was made up of five separate tables telling the stories of the benefits of Cypress, Redwoods, Poplars, Eucalyptus and the Farm Forestry Association. An extra table was used to display pruning equipment, generously donated by Denis Hocking. One of the sets of pruning gear was put in a prize draw for new recruits and won by a new member from Taumarunui.

The “Kids Grow a Tree” promotion gave away almost 4,000 seedlings and was a huge draw card, thanks to George and Ben Shallcrass and Dave Forsythe. We are now getting feedback from some of those who were given trees two years ago, pleased with how well their trees have established. Without the generosity of the Cypress Development Group, Sequoia Action Group and Balanced Forestry who donated the seedlings, we could not achieve this impact.

In a prime position beside the Forest Hub tent we displayed the Alternatives Species Cabin. There was constant flow of interested people keen to know what various elements of the cabin were constructed from. QR codes gave details to those who preferred an electronic link. There was good engagement with Scion, and Tāmata Hauha made use of the Cabin to talk to some of their own customers.

This year the NZFFA was asked to supply and run the barbecue. Manulife Forest donated almost 1,000 sausages to give away, made from the meat of feral deer hunted from their forests, along with a large volume of salami made from wallaby meat. Vaughan Kearns proved to be a fine cook and the barbeque was a huge hit with the pubic, who could smell it from afar. The barbecue was strategically placed to capture the moving audiences and encourage them into the Hub, in the direction of the NZFFA stand. 

We look forward to having as much fun again next year.

Vaughan Kearns
Field Days Coordinator.

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National Exotic Forest Description surveys

The National Exotic Forest Description (NEFD) survey for forest growers sent out by the Ministry for Primary Industries was due back in July. If you own a forest of over 40 hectares and missed the survey, you can contact them by email at nefd@mpi.govt.nz to get involved.

NEFD data provides insights into forest location by age and species, and informs decisions by government agencies and private companies on matters ranging from environmental policy to investments in log processing. The current 2024 survey includes forest owners with areas ranging from 40 to 1,000 hectares, as well as larger growers. Smaller growers are typically included every second year, which is our chance to ensure our industry contribution is recognised.

Previous survey results can be found on the Ministry for Primary Industries website: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forest-industry-and-workforce/forestry-wood-processing-data/new-zealand-forest-data/. 

Thanks

Les Dowling,
NZFFA NEFD steering group rep

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President: Neil Cullen president@nzffa.org.nz

National Office:  admin@nzffa.org.nz Phone: 04 4720432

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