The chair of Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou says while major changes in forestry practices are needed – the industry remains important to the Tairawhiti region.
Selwyn Parata endorsed the damning “Outrage to Optimism” report of the ministerial inquiry which warned there is only the five to 10 years to turn around poor forestry practices to prevent environmental disaster.
He says there is a forestry workforce in Ngati Porou ready to tackle the clean up.
“We would see our foresters that have been out of work for a long time being redeployed into these areas that we require immediate action for. We’ve done the sums, and what’s required to clean up our rivers, and our hills – and we’re open to innovative ideas of clearing the slash,” he says.
The report found poor forestry practices across the East Coast and Wairoa contributed to damage of vital infrastructure, like roading and bridges.
