Forestry Growth in the Far North
Land utilisation is a priority for Māori Trustee, and forestry has proved one option for Māori in Taitokerau. In Parengarengna, a forestry block is bringing an economic return to a group of land owners.
Acting for the land owners, Māori Trustee negotiated the terms of an agreement with the Crown who lease the land for planting and harvesting pine forest. The terms of the agreement mean the lessee is required to replant the land following the harvest of the trees. This guarantees that the owners receive rental for their land and income from future forest harvests.
Planting, pruning and now felling and replanting have provided an income opportunity for the land owners. The land owners have now indicated that they wish to take responsibility for the future administration of this block, and this is being arranged by Māori Trustee.