The forestry sector, policymakers and investors stand to benefit from ForestInsights – a collaborative initiative between Scion and Indufor aimed at creating New Zealand’s first comprehensive national dataset of planted forests.

Using artificial intelligence, satellite imagery and advanced processing algorithms, the ForestInsights team has built three core data options: forest boundaries, harvest history and stand age.

Indufor ForestInsights Lead Andrew Holdaway says the initiative’s real value lies in its ability to capture data from small-scale grower woodlots to large commercial forests. “It gives us a clear view of where our plantations are located and their size, age and proximity to ports and wood processing facilities. A key feature is its spatial intelligence, which enables decision-makers and investors to assess regional wood supply dynamics and refine processing and investment strategies.”

Dr. Michael Watt, Portfolio Leader for Scion’s New Value from a Digital Forest and Wood Sector, says there are also other benefits. “Our work is focused on developing tools and information that support forest growers and the wider sector. From a research perspective, having access to accurate, up-to-date mapping of all plantations – regardless of size – has allowed us to create more precise tools to support decisions. These include models to monitor the spread of forest pathogens or quantify forest areas lost due to events such as cyclones.”

Users of the easy-to-access platform can purchase information by selecting existing forest polygons or drawing their area of interest directly on the interactive map and choosing from the three data options.

“ForestInsights is continually updated,” Michael says. “As a living dataset, it offers a wide range of benefits, from improving wood availability forecasts and informing future infrastructure planning to enhancing biosecurity readiness. It also provides information needed to support market initiatives for small forest growers and helps inform strategies that promote value-added processing.”

The platform is now available for selected New Zealand regions, with expansion into Chile and Uruguay planned this year.