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Working together to develop the sector

The Forestry Ministerial Advisory Group was set up by the Government in May 2018 as an independent group to consider and provide advice on a range of forestry topics. The group’s focus was on how the Government and industry could work together to develop the sector and deliver on key initiatives.

The group ended in May 2023 because its work was superseded by other events.

Aims and activities of the group

The group met four times a year to receive briefings from government officials, experts, and industry stakeholders. It provided advice to:

  • the Minister of Forestry
  • Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service.

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Group members

Upon conclusion, the group had 9 members and a chair. Staff from the Ministry for Primary Industries provided administrative support.

The group chair was Dr Warren Parker, who also chairs Pāmu Farms New Zealand (Landcorp) and is former chief executive of Scion. Other members were:

  • Dean Witehira, Director, Radiata Pine Breeding Company and Forest Genetics Ltd
  • Henare Walker, Chief Executive Officer, Ngāti Porou Holding Company and recent General Manager, Summit Forests New Zealand
  • David Turner, Executive Director, Sequal Lumber
  • Dr Heidi Dungey, Portfolio Leader, Establishing Indigenous Forests, Scion
  • Florian Graichen, General Manager, Forests to Biobased Products team, Scion
  • David Hall, Climate Policy Director, Toha, Co-Chair, Independent Advisory Group for Auckland Council’s Climate Action Plan, and Board Member, Environmental Defence Society.
  • Hūhana Lyndon, recent Chief Executive Officer, Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust
  • Robert Reid, President, FIRST Union
  • Sally Strang, Environment Manager, Hancock Forest Management

 

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