Background

Forestry and wood processing is Northland's third-biggest earner.

The sector is based around radiata pine forests planted in Northland since the 1960s.

These forests are now ready for harvesting, with the volume of Northland's annual harvest predicted to treble in the near future.

	CHH Woodproducts, Whangarei.

The Northland harvest is forecast to continue at similar levels until at least the year 2025, by which time fresh plantations will be maturing.

Currently about 20% of Northland's harvest is processed within the region. There is a significant opportunity for regional growth and employment by processing a greater proportion within Northland.

Key factors for the future of the industry are foreign exchange rates; the availability of trained, skilled employees; roading infrastructure; the security and cost of energy; resource consent processes and trade barriers (both tariff and non-tariff).

These factors are reflected in the focus of several of the sub-groups of the Forestry Development Group:

• Wood Processing Cluster
• RMA Forestry Group
• Transport Working Group

Find out more about forestry and woodprocessing in Northland by visiting the regional website www.northlandnz.com