Does mechanised planting have a future in New Zealand Forestry?
Does mechanised planting have a future in New Zealand forestry? New Zealand’s forestry sector is steadily building a clearer picture of what mechanised planting can
The overarching strategic framework for R&D investment is provided in the Science and Innovation Strategy 2020–2035. This identifies three core themes for Forestry science and innovation with the target level of investment from the forest growers’ levy:
The current research portfolio covers the key parts of the forestry value chain, from tree improvement, propagation and nurseries, to establishment, management, harvesting, transport and logistics, and managing for risk and uncertainty.
Achieving both the forest growers’ vision and the supporting science and innovation vision requires :
Our science and innovation investment framework is described under three highly interconnected themes:
Ensuring that we increase profitability from our current main commercial species – radiata pine and Douglas-fir.
Ensuring the long-term sustainability of commercial forestry through realising value from emerging species (both exotic and indigenous) and developing new models for forestry.
Future-proofing commercial forest growing in New Zealand.
Science and Innovation are crucial if forestry is to deliver on the Forestry Roadmap and position forests as our most strategic asset by 2050.
The Forestry Roadmap 2020-2050
The forest growers vision for 2050 is that : “Forestry will be New Zealand’s number one primary sector and will exemplify the best plantation forest management in the world”.
Does mechanised planting have a future in New Zealand forestry? New Zealand’s forestry sector is steadily building a clearer picture of what mechanised planting can
Got a solution to a forestry problem? You’ve still got time to get your idea submitted in the 2026 Harvesting Micro Innovation Challenge. Closing date
University of Canterbury School of Forestry is running a series of Forest Engineering Workshops in Rotorua from 2-5 June 2026. These one-day courses are designed