Politicians continue to be the pawns of Timberlands' public relations manipulation by attacking Labour for its policy announcement to end Timberlands' native forest logging on the West Coast, says Native Forest Action.

"National, ACT and NZ First are marching to Timberlands rainforest logging agenda and in the process are defending the indefensible," said Native Forest Action spokesperson Dean Baigent-Mercer.

"National, ACT and NZ First are more influenced by Timberlands' PR campaign than national public opinion and are supporting the despicable secrets and lies of Timberlands."

"The hysteria whipped up on the West Coast by CAN, Timberlands' front group, against Labour's policy announcement is being used as a political football by ACT and National."

"Labour's native forest logging policy is a win for conservation by protecting the forests and a win for West Coast employment with the formation of a local trust which will manage the $68 million pine estate keeping local people employed. This is in stark contrast to National/ACT policy where Timberlands and the cutting rights to our native forests would be privatised, meaning degraded forests, and few West Coast jobs."

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