Listen Now: 
Download AudioA Māori forest industry leader says the government’s proposed options for changing the emissions trading scheme would have been better if it had engaged properly with its treaty partner.
Te Kapunga Dewes from the National Māori Forestry Association: Ngā Pou a Tāne says he saw some of the draft in April under a non-disclosure agreement, when he was given a weekend to give feedback on a 170 page document.
He says what emerged yesterday is a political document which shows how much New Zealand is falling behind by not including farming emissions and not planting more trees – which is where Maori can help if they are allowed.
“Forstry is a great option for our fantastic land that was left, that’s in high hill country, erosion-prone areas and things like that, yet the Government seems to be driving or perhaps it’s simply the Green Party seems to be driving this idealism that exotic foresty is the root of all evil,” Mr Dewes says.
A properly-run carbon forest regime is a way Maori can sustainably deveop their land and generate wealth without needing the government – and will save the country hundreds of millions of dollars in the process.
RELATED NEWS
