Research Structure

Levy funded forest research

The Forest Growers Levy Trust (FGLT) is the largest industry funder of research and development for the New Zealand forest-growing sector. These funds come from the harvested wood material commodity levy which is paid on each tonne of harvested timber.

The New Zealand Forest Owners Association (FOA) is a national body representing commercial forest growers in New Zealand. The FOA provides management support to the Forest Growers Levy Trust in conjunction with the NZ Farm Forestry Association (NZFFA) which represents small forest owners.

Forest Growers Research Ltd (FGR) is owned by the FOA, and co-ordinates industry input and funding of research programmes for the forest growing sector. These are approved by the FGLT on the recommendation of the joint FOA/NZFFA Forest Research Committee (FRC) based on the priorities set out in the industry Science and Innovation Plan.

Science and Innovation Plan. 

Once operational, each research programme is guided by a Technical Steering Team made up of industry representatives or other relevant experts.

Main research programmes and their components

There are currently six main research programmes, and within these main programmes there may be one or more projects:

Other Forest Research

Some forest growing research programmes receive funding over and above the levy. Other major sources of funding include the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), and government/industry partnerships via the primary growth partnership structure (PGP). A number of companies also contribute directly to forestry research.

The programmes come under the umbrella of the Forest Growers Research management structure, ensuring good coordination across the full spectrum of research programmes.