Exceptional Efforts by New Zealand Forester Rewarded

The Wood Council of New Zealand is delighted that Dr Andrew McEwen has received an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours' List for services to forestry. The Wood Council of New Zealand is the peak body representing forest growers, forestry contractors, wood processors and manufacturers.

"Andrew has made a vast contribution to our sector over his professional career" said Mr Brian Stanley, Chair of the Wood Council. "His retirement has not stopped him and he continues to actively support the sector in a voluntary capacity through his involvement in a wide variety of activities".

The New Zealand forestry sector continually looks to the future and must anticipate the needs of the next generation of customers. Andrew's most recent assistance to the sector stemmed from him anticipating that NZ forestry needed to significantly strengthen its claim to be a supplier of legal and sustainable forest products.

"I am pleased to say that through Andrew's leadership NZ was, in December 2015, accepted into the international Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). In securing PEFC membership, Andrew has given the sector greater business certainty, access to a wider market and, for consumers, a guarantee that NZ product can be trusted", added Mr Stanley.

Also, as Chair of the Wood Processors and Manufacturers' Association, Brian Stanley commented that Andrew demonstrates an ability to see the bigger picture as PEFC membership is something that will benefit the whole wood supply chain from tree growing right through to final product marketing.

Behind the scenes Andrew continues to campaign for the sector on better and fairer regulatory mechanisms for recognising what the forest and wood products sector does to mitigate climate change and protect the environment.

"Exceptional foresight in the name of the game in forestry and, throughout his career Andrew has shown this quality. Official recognition of this will, I hope, inspire others to follow in his footsteps and help lead New Zealand towards a much more sustainable future", concluded Mr Stanley.

ENDS

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