Iwi join Aussies in carbon forestry venture

Iwi join Aussies in carbon forestry venture

Six iwi have joined forces with an Australian carbon forestry company and are looking to mop up land in the Central North Island.

The country’s specialist carbon markets information service, Carbon News (www.carbonnews.co.nz) reports that CO2 New Zealand, a joint venture between Central North Island iwi commercial development company Tukai and the Australian company CO2, was incorporated in June.

Between them, its iwi shareholders own some of the largest plantation forests in the country, including the 176,000ha Kaingaroa Forest.

The board is chaired by Ngati Tuwharetoa paramount chief Sir Tumu Te Heuheu and includes iwi leaders from the area.

Carbon News reports CO2 New Zealand chief executive Greg Adlam as saying that the company does not have automatic access to the iwi lands and forests “but it would be fair to say that we talk to them.”

Yesterday, CO2 called for expressions of interest from landowners in the Taupo district interested in going into carbon forestry.

The NZU forestry credits generated by the forests would be sold forward.

ENDS

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