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Labour’s forestry spokesperson is alarmed that international forestry companies are choosing not to replant on Maori land
Shane Jones says over the past generation the forest ownership sector became increasingly internationalised, but the multinationals are proving to be poor corporate citizens.
He says in Tai Tokerau there are reports of companies walking away leaving the landowners with land that will soon revert to scrub.
He says the government can do more to help.
"The forstry sector has many young Maori working in it. If they can be in a sector where many young Maori are already working. If they can be further trained and employed to replant idle Maori land, it is an idea I will certainly push as the economic development spokesperson and one thing Labour will be doing is resuscitating and funding the Tai Tokerau funding initiative that exists between Maori landowners in Northland and Treasury. It was strengthened by (former finance minister Michael) Cullen and Jim Anderton and it will certainly get a rev up next year because what is wrong withplanting trees. I'd rather have the young men of the north planting trees than planting electric puha," Mr Jones says.
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