The Forestry Hub is back at Fieldays this year, hosting 20 sector organisations under the theme of “Wood, our low-carbon future”, featuring forums and talks to inform visitors wanting to know more about the forestry and wood-processing sector.
Located at G80, the hub forums will include topics such as “Food and wood – how much land does each need?”, and“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 on June 14 at 11am.
The sector has begun a process of transformation in partnership with the government with, most recently, the launch of a $57 million Wood Processing Grant Fund in April and the release of the foundational Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) last November, Hub spokesperson Alex Wilson said.
“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 to store carbon.”
New Zealand Farm Forestry Association president Neil Cullen said 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 in the Fieldays Forestry Hub to explain how its members have practically implemented this approach, and which tree species work best and what are the costs and returns.”
New Zealand Forest Owners’ Association president Grant Dodson said the Forestry Hub is a valued way the industry can communicate directly with farmers and the public.
“We’ll be there to explain the truth of some issues, such as the many things we are doing to reduce forest waste, but also just to communicate that we have a lot more in common with the rest of the primary sector than many people think.”
Further details of planned events at the hub
Forums run for up to 50 minutes; talks run for up to 30 minutes.
Forum 1, Food and wood – how much land does each need? Wednesday June 14 at 2pm.
Talk 1, Futurity Group, CEO Jacob Kohn: Creating high value, advanced wood products Thursday June 15 10am
Forum 2, Are all trees created equal? Thursday June 15 at 2pm.
Talk 2, Jarden head of commodities Nigel Brunel: Mechanics – Carbon Trading in the ETS, Friday June 16 10am
Talk 3, Scion portfolio Leader for distributed and circular manufacturing Marc Gaugler: Distributed manufacturing – bringing the factory to the forest, Friday June 16 11:30am