For immediate release
13 August 2013

Inaugural Māori Forestry Forum to explore key issues

Forestry investment, increasing knowledge and challenges in the industry are some of the key areas that will be addressed at this week’s ‘Mai i te ngahere oranga - Māori Forestry Forum’ in Rotorua.

The forum has been designed to provide an opportunity for Māori land and forest owners to discuss their experiences, issues and aspirations for Māori forestry in Aotearoa.

Many key players from the industry will be speaking at the event on Friday 16 August. Amongst them are:

• Whaimutu Dewes, Chair, Ngati Porou Whanui Forests – Whaimutu will discuss opportunities for Māori forest owners, sharing examples from Ngati Porou

• Rawson Wright, Project Manager, Te Tai Tokerau Forestry Cluster - will speak on indigenous forestry and the benefits of mixed forests.

• George Asher (General Manager, Lake Taupo Forest Trust) will discuss challenges for Māori in forestry.

The Associate Minister for Primary Industries, Hon. Jo Goodhew, will give the keynote address.

Close to 160 Māori land and forest owners from around the country have already registered for the event and submitted their priorities for the industry and expectations for the forum. These ideas will form the basis of a Q&A session in the afternoon.

Victor Goldsmith, Project Director of the Miere Coalition and a member of the Federation of Māori Authorities and the forum organising committee, says, “This is an opportunity for Māori land and forest owners to influence the future direction of Māori forestry. We are pleased to be able to provide this networking and knowledge sharing opportunity, and to develop the korero from this forum to help build a national forestry strategy for Māori.”

This event is supported by the Federation of Māori Authorities, Te Arawa Primary Sector Inc., Te Puni Kōkiri, Waiariki Institute of Technology and Scion.

ENDS

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