Forestry right agreement focuses on woody biomass

A forestry right agreement between Crown Forestry and Ngāi Tahu Farming in North Canterbury is an exciting opportunity for the emerging woody biomass sector, says Paul Burridge, General Manager Crown Forestry.

“Woody biomass is a leading alternative to replace coal in the South Island, and this joint venture will increase the supply through planting forests for woody biomass, and targeted research and development,” Mr Burridge says. Crown Forestry is a commercially-focused team within Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service that manages a portfolio of Crown owned plantation forestry assets.

The 5,400-hectare Hikawaikura Forest in the Hurunui District is on land owned by Ngāi Tahu Farming (NTF). It comprises previously harvested land (forestry cutover) and recently planted pine plantation.

Under the forestry right agreement, Crown Forestry will plant, manage, and harvest the forest. In return, NTF will receive an annual rental.

“Our goal is to demonstrate the viability of a range of forestry regimes for biomass through the harvest of short rotation forestry and the increased recovery of forestry residues, however we retain the option to transition management of the forest to a more conventional production regime over 25 years if we need to.” Mr Burridge added.

Hikawaikura Forest is a strategically located asset within economic reach of markets. “It has scale for testing a range of regimes, the easy contour allows for increased recovery of forest residues, and it will provide insights on improving sector resilience.”