WOODHILL FOREST, WAIMAUKU, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, TUESDAY 19 AUGUST - In Aotearoa New Zealand’s Woodhill Forest, just 50km northwest of Auckland, the FSC Forest Walk brought together retailers, manufacturers and supply chain leaders from across the local FSC network to see responsible forestry in practice. Hosted by FSC certified forest managers Manulife Investment Management and Matariki Forests, together with landowners Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, the event highlighted how FSC certification safeguards biodiversity, upholds Indigenous Peoples rights and cultural values, supports workers and local communities and delivers certified materials to local and international markets.
Attendees represented a cross-section of New Zealand’s FSC community, from chain of custody certificate holders such as Opal ANZ, Visy, Abodo Wood and Officemax to Promotional Licence Holders including Mitre 10 NZ, The Warehouse, Bunnings NZ, NXP Limited and Woolworths Group (Countdown), with the New Zealand Green Building Council also in attendance. Bringing these organisations together for the first FSC Forest Walk in New Zealand created a unique forum for connection across the supply chain and underscored the growing momentum behind FSC in the region.
The day began with a pōwhiri led by Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara. Guests were welcomed with waiata (song) and the sharing of kai (food), an expression of manaakitanga, the Māori value of hospitality and care. Malcom Paterson, Chief Executive of Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, then spoke about the land and his people’s enduring relationship with it, emphasising its deep and longstanding place within the cultural landscape of Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara. He explained that under Crown ownership, Woodhill Forest was established to stabilise the vast drifting sand dunes which were encroaching on agricultural land, with planting beginning in the 1930s continuing through to the 1980s. Following the 2013 Treaty of Waitangi settlement, the land was returned to Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, who retain ownership today and have partnered with Manulife Investment Management and Matariki Forests to manage the plantations.
Integral to the management of Woodhill Forest is its function as a multi-use landscape, where recreation and community use coexist with forestry operations. Horse riding, mountain biking, tree climbing and paintball take place among the plantation trees, while its forest scenery has provided striking settings for major films and television series including The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Attendees were introduced to the recreational side of the forest at Tree Adventures and Woodhill Mountain Bike Park, where the forest managers outlined how they support public access and community use of the forest. They explained the importance of responsible forest management in balancing recreation and safety while maintaining social licence and engaging with stakeholders.
Reflecting on the day, Simon Rice, Product Risk and Compliance Coordinator at Bunnings NZ noted “It was a fantastic experience to learn about the history of the forest block and how it’s managed, and to see FSC principles in action. It was also great to see how the forest is open to other commercial ventures, and how the forest management company works collaboratively with each entity to ensure the forest flourishes as a shared resource. That level of coordination was really impressive and added another layer of insight to the day.”
The group also travelled to a coastal restoration project, where a protective strip of trees has been retained between the shoreline and the plantation forest. This buffer plays an important role in protecting the forest from the salty coastal winds. The forest managers explained how the site is managed to maintain High Conservation Values, with a focus on environmental resilience and cultural values.
The FSC Forest Walk concluded at an active harvesting site, where attendees observed a harvester in operation and learned how the plantation life cycle is managed. The group also heard from the harvesting contractors, a multigenerational family-run business with many years of experience and a deep understanding of forestry.
The FSC Forest Walk at Woodhill Forest brought FSC’s requirements to life. Held in the lead-up to FSC Forest Week (20-26 September), the event provided a timely opportunity to reflect on the role of forests in our everyday lives and the importance of supporting sustainable forestry. FSC ANZ extends its thanks to our hosts, Manulife Investment Management, Matariki Forests and Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, for welcoming participants to Woodhill Forest and sharing their knowledge and expertise into responsible forest management.