Forestry

There are substantial social, environmental and economic benefits accruing from New Zealand’s forestry industry, and in addition, our forests are pivotal to New Zealand’s climate change response initiatives.

At a global level, forestry in New Zealand accounts for just over 1% of total industrial wood supply and circa 1.3% of the trade related forest products. In the Asia-Pacific region however, New Zealand accounts for about 9% of forest product trade volume and some 20% of forest product trade value. As such, forestry is an important component of the country’s economy, contributing $4.5 billion in export value annually (circa 10% of total exports and 3% of GDP).

The forestry industry in New Zealand is founded on sustainably managed exotic plantation forests – which cover approximately 1.8 million hectares (7% of New Zealand’s entire land area). About 90% of this exotic plantation comprises Pinus Radiata, with some 6% in Pseudotsuga Menziesii (Douglas fir) and the balance a mix of Eucalyptus and other softwood and hardwood species.

The forestry sector in New Zealand is anticipating a period of growth, as existing forests reach maturity and wood production volumes increase significantly to satisfy escalating global demand. Our detailed forestry sector services brochure can be downloaded by clicking this link. Further information in relation to the sector and our specialist expertise is available by exploring the sub-menus.

Data source: Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry