3 March 2026
With the New Zealand forestry sector facing a massive regulatory reset and intensifying environmental pressures, the upcoming Environmental Forestry 2026 conference is pivoting away from high-level theory to focus on the immediate, practical needs of forest managers and planners.
While previous discussions in the sector have centered on the broad shift toward “applied solutions,” the 2026 event – taking place 23-24 March in Rotorua – is specifically designed to answer the operational question: “What will you bring back to the office from this event?”
The programme addresses four critical pillars that are currently defining the future of the industry:
1. Decoding the “Alt-F Reset”: The regulatory landscape is shifting rapidly under the new Government. Keynote speaker James Newman from the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) will provide an essential roadmap of the “Alt-F Reset” report, clarifying how national forestry strategies and compliance requirements will impact operators through 2026 and beyond.
2. Hard data for environmental reporting: Demonstrating environmental performance is no longer optional. Experts from the Bioeconomy Science Institute, including Loretta Garrett and Dean Meason, will share hard science on deep forest soil carbon and “forest flows” – providing the data evidence foresters need to back up their environmental and carbon reporting.
3. Direct lessons from the frontline: The 2026 conference moves beyond general case studies to look at specific, high-stakes scenarios. Industry leaders from Aratu Forests, Summit Forests, and Manulife will share how they are managing transitional forestry, un-harvestable stands, and 30-year stream monitoring projects.
4. Efficiency in protection: With resource-heavy wilding tree and pest management budgets under scrutiny, the event introduces new ROI-focused tools. This includes a post-conference workshop dedicated to the Wilding Tree Risk Calculator, designed to increase the efficiency of environmental management budgets.
The full programme can be viewed on the event website.
Supporting the next generation: FIEA is also pleased to announce that, with the support of the WIDE Trust, a limited number of complimentary places are available for forestry professionals aged under 35. This initiative ensures that the future workforce is equipped with the latest policy insights and technical tools. Click here for further details.
Registration details:
- Dates: 23-24 March 2026
- Location: Distinction Hotel, Rotorua
- Tickets: Group discounts are available (save $200 per person for groups of 3+).
- Website: environmentalforestry.events
The event is supported by Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, NZFOA, and a wide range of technology and research partners.
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