August 01, 2022
Ministry sows uncertainty in exotic forest stoush
The Māori Forestry Association says the Government is creating uncertainty about the future of exotic plantings in the emissions trading scheme.
Nga Pou a Tane chair Te Kapunga Dewes has welcomed notification from the Ministry of Primary industries that it is putting on hold a rule change to exclude radiata pine and other non-native species from the ETS.
But he says it appears to be a tactical retreat in the face of widespread opposition from Māori.
He says the letter doesn’t say how much time the ministry intends to take, what its preferred approach is, or even what problem it was trying to solve.
“Those sorts of comments result in uncertainty and as a Māori landowner looking to sustainably develop our land with forests on an inter-generational time frame, uncertainty before we even get started is not a great start,” Mr Dewes says.
Nga Pou a Tane is meeting Ministers Damian O’Connor And Stuart Nash on Wednesday when it will push for a clear outcome and acknowledgement of a partnership that includes the end of policies that would diminish the rights of Māori landowners.