Environmental Forestry 2026 rescheduled to March 2026

The Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA) has confirmed new dates and released the full programme for its highly anticipated Environmental Forestry 2026 conference. The event, initially slated for September 2025, will now take place on 23-24 March 2026, at the Distinction Hotel in Rotorua, New Zealand.

A programme built for forestry management and policymakers

Designed in collaboration with industry leaders and government agencies, the Environmental Forestry 2026 conference is positioned as a vital forum for navigating the complex challenges facing the sector. It is meticulously structured for both technical and environmental management specialists, operations planners (the people ‘with boots on the ground’), and policy creators who are crafting the regulations.

The two-day programme will focus on improving environmental performance, ensuring compliance, and sharing successful management strategies across forest estates of all sizes.

Key highlights of the 2026 programme

The conference agenda tackles the most pressing environmental, regulatory, and operational issues, offering actionable insights for all attendees:

• Keynote Address: Decoding the Alt-F Reset Report: A critical address will be delivered by James Newman, Senior Advisor at the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE). Mr. Newman will unpack the influential Alt-F Reset report, providing guidance on the future direction of forestry strategies and environmental enhancement.
• Navigating Policy Changes: A deep dive into the New Government’s Policy Environment and its projected impact on the national forestry sector, essential for compliance and planning.
• Ground-Level Case Studies: Presentations will feature real-world solutions, including lessons learned from 30 years of stream monitoring, approaches to transitional forestry challenges in Tairāwhiti, and best practices in continuous cover forestry based on international models.
• Cultural Perspectives in Management: Attendees will gain essential knowledge through a session dedicated to An Iwi Perspective on Forestry Environment Management, focusing on the integration of Mātauranga Māori and sustainable practice.
• Workshops & Specialised Sessions: Dedicated sessions will cover regulatory changes (including an MPI pre-conference workshop) and management techniques for issues such as Wilding Conifers.

Networking and registration

The conference provides unparalleled networking opportunities, bringing together environmental, operations, and technical representatives from the forest industry, local government, and central government. Leading organisations such as the Bioeconomy Science Institute, MPI, Summit Forests, Aratu Forests, and Ngati Hine Forestry Trust are confirmed participants.

Forestry professionals are encouraged to secure their registration immediately to benefit from the discounted rate. The Super Early Bird discount ends 31 December 2025.