Impact KPI-3: Quantify the role of forests in increasing economic, environmental and social outcomes for New Zealand

IO1 – Maximise the value and profitability of commercial forests and their ecosystem services


Impact KPI-3: Quantify the role of forests in increasing economic, environmental and social outcomes for New Zealand

By 2019, Scion and its partners will have compellingly demonstrated to key stakeholders (e.g. Māori, regional councils, policy makers) the role of forests in creating resilient landscapes through forest contributions to regional economies and provision of ecosystem services.

Leading indicator
Progress
By 2016, at least one business case for expansion of new forests onto un-developed land will have been developed by Scion with a regional authority and/or an iwi.

The final report for the Te Taitokerau SFF/Māori Agribusiness project was submitted to MPI in June 2015 – “Building the Business Case for Economic Resilience in Northland: A New Forest Industry”. The report found:

  1. Economic forests that comprise species other than radiata pine.
  2. No one scenario optimally fits all areas.
  3. Scale of forest operations and proximity to processing and markets significantly affects profitability.
  4. Kauri and mānuka species provide positive economic returns.
  5. Planting and management of new forests can lead to participation in associated businesses.
  6. Investment and cash flow challenges to develop new forests can be mitigated through various transition approaches.
By 2017, key stakeholders will be using Scion’s evidence-based information that quantifies forests’ economic and natural capital contributions to New Zealand’s growth, regional development and environmental performance strategies.
Ecosystem services assessment capability has been applied to planted forests and their neighbouring ecosystems in two catchments: Ōhiwa catchment and Waikato catchment.
A desktop study on the complementarities between dairy and forestry in the central North Island wood supply region was done for a firm and a regional council. Results of the study gave stakeholders discussion points on how forestry and dairy lands can spatially co-exist in order to optimise environmental, land productivity, economic growth and community outcomes.

By 2019, Scion’s information will have contributed to New Zealand’s national and international reporting obligations and the New Zealand Freshwater National Objectives Framework (NOF).Staff involvement in the NOF experts group continued. Our input was critical to ensuring forestry needs and conditions are well represented.
Work on herbicide residues in forest soils directly influenced international herbicide rules under FSC and the removal of two chemicals from the banned list.
Worked with MPI/MfE to help set climate change targets by the Government ahead of the Paris Climate Conference in December 2015, and contributed to the 2015 forestry greenhouse gas reporting under New Zealand’s obligations to the UNFCCC.