Forestry and wood products put $4 billion into the economy and exports could soar during the next 20 years, according to NZ Wood.

A report by the Institute of Economic Research, commissioned by NZ Wood for the Wood Council of New Zealand, said that in the year to March the combined exports of forestry and wood-related products earned $4.6 billion, the sector making a direct contribution to gross domestic product of $4 billion.

The timber industry is being hamstrung by limitations in the building code from creating greater value out of improving technology that allows timber to replace steel as a construction material.

The Wood Council of New Zealand has released a report from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research which claimed that exports of forestry and other wood-related products was $4.6 billion, or 13.3 per cent of total goods exports.

The Maori Party says rules at the Overseas Investment Office need to change so iwi are told about all forestry blocks that come up for sale.

MP Rahui Katene has made the call after the OIO gave approval for five forestry sites in Te Tai Rawhiti or the East Coast to be sold from one foreign owner to another overseas buyer.

Read more: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/82324/iwi-should-be-told-ab...

A West Coast sawmiller has been slapped with a hefty fine, after an extensive inquiry by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Michael Hende was found to have exceeded his harvesting permits by 113 trees.

THE Malaysian-based owners of Ernslaw One have been given clearance to buy another 10,367 hectares of forestry land on the East Coast, most of which are about to come into production.

The Overseas Investment Office has granted consents covering a 5224-hectare forest in Waiau Road, inland of Tokomaru Bay, the 3999-hectare Moonlight Forest in Waitangi Road inland of Te Karaka, and 1143 hectares in Tauwhareparae Road inland of Tolaga Bay.

A Nelson forestry company will get better access through Mt Richmond Forest Park conservation land in return for help with pest control and road maintenance, under a new agreement which will also guarantee public access, says the Department of Conservation.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/5314244/Forestry-deal-to-include...

The New Zealand Forest Owners Association says now is a good time for Māori landowners to be thinking about planting more trees.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/80416/hap-urged-to-plant-fo...

The total value of forestry exports for the year to 31 March 2011 was NZ$4.4 billion, NZ$0.8 billion up on the previous year, due to the sustained high levels of log exports over the year.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has today released forestry production and trade figures for the March 2011 quarter.

http://www.maf.govt.nz/news-resources/news/strong-demand-for-logs-raises...

Neil and Pam Cullen have left a lasting legacy on their Glenomaru Valley farm.

The South Otago couple's passion for trees was recognised when they were awarded the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association's Husqvarna South Island farm forester of the year award.

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/farming/167520/farming-couples-green-legacy

The Commerce Commission has published a statement of preliminary issues relating to an application received from Matariki Forests seeking clearance to acquire the forestry assets of the Selwyn Plantation Board.

http://www.comcom.govt.nz/media-releases/detail/2011/statement-of-prelim...