Forestry industry issues, including transport and logistics, were on discussion at a recent stakeholder conference hosted by South Waikato District Council.
Council economic development manager Paul Bowden says it was a chance to hear important updates in the sector with around 80 people at the March 6 meeting.
“The overarching goal of the symposium was for the Central North Island leaders to share current industry and labour market issues and opportunities and explore implementable regional and local solutions,” Bowden says.
South Waikato mayor Jenny Shattock says she wants to work closely with the sector so all businesses can reach their full potential.
“With 20% of local jobs, 19% of GDP and 39% of export earnings in the district coming from the forestry sector, what happens in forestry sector matters.
“It is in the DNA of our people and communities, our shared past and integral to our exciting future,” Shattock says.
Representatives at the forum where from across the industry such as government agencies, pulp processing, logistics and distribution, harvesting, training providers and forest management.
The meeting focussed on key areas including current barriers to employment, the strengths and challenges experienced currently, the vision for the sector over the next 20 years and the steps that are needed to reach these goals.
Themes included showing the forestry sector as an attractive industry with rewarding career prospects, collaborating so the sector has a united voice, education and training pathways, continued investment in innovation and environmental sustainability.
The keynote address on the Government’s one billion trees programme was delivered by Te Uru Rākau afforestation policy director Ruth Fairhall.
Hancock Forest Management NZ president Bill McCallum says the attendees represented a broad range of stakeholder interests and he thanked the South Waikato District Council for the initiative.
Council has committed to hosting follow up symposiums throughout 2019 for the benefit of the forestry sector in Tokoroa and the wider South Waikato region.
