| |
The podocarp-hardwood forests are found at low altitude
throughout the country, except in the drier eastern parts of the
South Island. In their undisturbed state they are luxuriant and
often present a distinctly tropical character, with their dense
undergrowth of shrubs, ferns, tree-ferns, lianas and epiphytes.
Hardwood species such as tawa and kamahi form the canopy, while
the tall podocarps soar high above it. The presence and
distribution of the various species of podocarp trees depends on
a variety of factors including local conditions of soil and
climate and past volcanic activity. These trees, especially rimu,
totara and kahikatea, can live to be very old and reach huge
dimensions. One of the largest living totara, near Pureora
Forest Park, has a diameter of 3.63 m (11.9'), and is estimated
to be 1500 years old.
Given below are some of the reserve forests and natural parks in
New Zealand which conserve the podocarp forests.
|
REGION
from N to S |
FOREST |
DETAILS |
|
Northland |
Northland Forest Park |
Forest park in several blocks: Waipoua, Puketi-Omahuta,
Warawara, Russell, Mangamuka, Herekino, Marlborough, Kaihu,
Tangihua. These forests are famous for their kauris, but
they are rich in podocarp and broadleaf species. Short
walks in Waipoua, Puketi-Omahuta and Russell Forests. |
|
Auckland |
Waitakere Ranges Regional Park |
Podocarp-broadleaf forest dominates the ranges, with many
fine tracts, usually regenerating. The canopy species
include rewarewa, mahoe, tawa, taraire, pururi, and
kohekohe. Rimu is the most common of the emergents. There
are many walks to discover the diverse nature of the
forest, in the coastal areas as well as inland. |
|
Auckland |
Hunua Ranges Regional Park |
Tawa is dominant among the canopy species there. A range
of tracks and walks is available. |
|
Coromandel Peninsula,
Waikato |
Coromandel Forest Park |
Forest park in several blocks, covering most of the axial
zone of the peninsula, from Moehau in the north to the
Karangahake Gorge in the south. Kauri and podocarp-broadleaf
forest, mostly regenerating, with some unlogged areas. A
choice of fine short walks. |
|
Waikato |
Pirongia Forest Park |
Located at the limit between northern and southern
forests, the park contains no kauri or beech. The
vegetation is rich, ranging from lowland podocarp forest
to dense subalpine scrub and kaikawaka (mountain cedar)
forest. |
|
Waikato |
South Kawhia forests |
|
|
Waikato and Taupo/Ruapehu |
Pureora Forest Park |
The park is one of the most significant remnants of the
podocarp forests than once covered most of the North
Island. Contains very large trees, especially totara.
Large tracts of unlogged forest. A few fine short walks. |
|
Taupo-Ruapehu |
Tongariro National Park |
The park contains large areas of superb podocarp and mixed
beech-podocarp forest, both in the isolated area north of
Lake Rotoaira, and west and south of Ruapehu. Several fine
short walks. |
|
Bay of Plenty |
Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park |
Podocarp/hardwood forest in the north. Some relict kauri
as well. |
|
Bay of Plenty |
Whirinaki Forest Park |
With Pureora and Urewera National Park, this park includes
the best lowland podocarp forest in the North Island,
mostly in its original state. Magnificent examples of
large mature podocarps. A few fine short and medium walks. |
|
Bay of Plenty
Hawkes Bay |
Urewera National Park |
This is the largest area of untouched native forest in the
North Island. Forest types vary with altitude and
location, from lowland podocarp-broadleaf forest in the
north and west, to podocarp-beech associations, and to
pure beech at highest altitudes. Several short and medium
walks. |
|
Hawke's Bay |
Northern Maungaharuru reserves |
Four reserves in the Maungaharuru range area,
approximately 1 1/2 hours drive north of Napier. Diverse
native forest, mostly podocarp-broadleaf, home to native
birds. A number of good short walks through the forest,
and fine views over Hawkes Bay as well as the surrounding
ranges, all the way to Ruapehu on clear days. Other
interesting features include Lake Opouahi, eroded
limestone (karst) formations, and Shines Waterfall (58
m/190') at Boundary Stream Scenic Reserve. Boundary Stream
is one of the country's 'mainland islands' where exotic
flora and fauna species are managed in order to
re-establish native species. |
|
Hawke's Bay |
Puketitiri Reserves |
Four reserves located near the eastern boundary of Kaweka
Forest Park, north-east of Napier. They include fine
stands of mature as well as regenerating native forest,
mostly podocarp-broadleaf. Numerous native forest birds,
as well as colonies of the native long-tailed bat. A
choice of short walks. |
|
Hawkes's Bay |
Maraetotara Plateau |
Four reserves located south-east of Havelock North. They
include fine stands of podocarp and broadleaf forest and
several tracks provide for short walks. |
|
Hawke's Bay |
Central Hawke's Bay reserves and walkways |
Several reserves protect the best remnants of native
lowland forest in that area. They include fine stands or
specimens of podocarp trees such as kahikatea, matai, miro,
rimu, and totara. Good short walks. |
|
Hawkes' Bay |
Southern Hawke's Bay reserves |
These reserves protect some of the last remnants of the
mainly podocarp and broadleaf native forests that covered
that area extensively little more than 120 years ago.
Mangapuaka Stream Scenic Reserve presents the unusual
association of kahikatea and black beach, while Waihi
Falls Scenic Reserve has a number of kowhai that attract
the native honeyeaters bellbird and tui during the
flowering season. A choice of short walks. |
|
Hawke's Bay
Manawatu |
Ruahine Forest Park |
The Ruahine Ranges are part of the main axial mountain
ranges of the North Island. There is podocarp-broadleaf
forest on the lower slopes, with occasional large trees
that have escaped milling. Beech dominates at higher
altitude. No real oppportunity for short and easy walks,
but the roads leading to the start of the tramping tracks
offer an opportunity to discover the forest.
|
|
Manawatu |
Kawhatau and Mangaweka Scenic Reserves |
Fine examples of podocarp forest with diverse native
flora. Good short walks. |
|
East Cape |
Gray's Bush Scenic Reserve |
This is a rare and significant remnant of the kahikatea
forest that was common in the Gisborne Plains, before
being cleared for agriculture. Under the kahikatea canopy
the forest is also rich in puriri, thus forming an unusual
association with a coastal character. The forest has a
relatively rich undergrowth of trees, shrubs, nikau palms,
ferns and tree ferns, and is home to a diversity of bird
species. Good walking tracks. |
|
East Cape |
Whinray Scenic Reserve |
The East Cape area is remote, rugged, and has a large
cover of dense intact native forest, especially within the
Raukumara Forest Park. On the south-western outskirts of
this park, Whinray Scenic Reserve contains 429 hectares
(172 acres) of native forest with fine old rimu, matai,
miro, rata and kahikatea. Abundant native birdlife,
including less common species like kaka, weka and kiwi.
The reserve is further enhanced by waterfalls on the Motu
river, one of the wildest and most scenic rivers in the
North Island. 5 km (3 miles) track through the forest. |
|
Wanganui |
Whanganui National Park |
Much of the park is covered in native podocarp-broadleaf
forest, and the central part is one of the most extensive
areas of intact forest of this type in the North Island. A
few good short walks in the peripheral areas. |
|
Taranaki |
Egmont National Park |
The forests that surround Mt Taranaki (Mt Egmont) are
dominated by kamahi. At low altitude large rimu and rata
tower high above that canopy, and the luxuriance of the
forest is unsurpassed anywhere in New Zealand. At higher
altitudes the undergrowth is less dense but the trees are
often multi-trunked, gnarled and all festooned with
mosses, liverworts and filmy-ferns. This forest has long
been called 'goblin forest' for its somewhat unreal
appearance. Several fine short walks from the road ends. |
|
Taranaki |
North Taranaki Forests |
This area is relatively undeveloped and retains a
substantial native forest cover. Of very special interest
are some remnants of lowland and coastal podocarp forest
associations. These are rare and of scientific
significance. Several scenic reserves with short walks.
The Mokau River scenic reserves are of particular interest
for their lowland kahikatea forest. |
|
Wellington |
Papaitonga Scenic Reserve |
Reserve of great significance as one of the rare remnants
of coastal podocarp and broadleaf forest, in an area
otherwise almost entirely cleared for agriculture. Loop
walk to lookout over lake Papaitonga. |
|
Wellington |
Hemi Matenga Memorial Park Scenic Reserve |
One of the largest areas of native kohekohe forest.
Several short walks and lookout. |
|
Wellington |
Tararua Forest Park |
The Tararua Ranges have an extensive forest cover, with
podocarp and broadleaf forest at lower altitudes, and up
to the treeline in the north. Some of it unlogged. Short
walks from several road ends. |
|
Wellington |
Rimutaka Forest Park |
|
|
Wellington |
Haurangi Forest Park |
|
|
Nelson |
Aorere Valley, Kahurangi National Park |
Beech dominates the park, but there is fine podocarp
forest in the north, in the Aorere Valley. |
|
Nelson |
Westhaven Inlet Marine Reserve |
A place of outstanding scenery and value. Much of the
inlet is bordered by native forest, with kahikatea, rata,
rimu, nikau palm and beech. Uninterrupted sequence of
native forest, from the hill tops to the sea. Short walk
to Knuckle Hill with fine views. |
|
Nelson |
Nelson Lakes National Park, lake Rotoroa |
Fine podocarp and beech forest on the lake edge. A few
short and medium walks. |
|
Marlborough |
Tennyson Inlet, Marlborough Sounds |
This is one of the most beautiful areas of the Sounds,
with its native forest cover still intact. Half-day return
walk from Penzance Bay to Deep Bay. |
|
Marlborough |
Onamalutu Reserve, The Northbank, Mt Richmond Forest Park |
The reserve contains a unique remnant of the tall podocarp
forest that once would have covered much of the Wairau
valley. Short walks. Camping. |
|
Marlborough |
Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, Richmond Ranges
|
The reserve protects one of the last stands of river flat
forest in Marlborough. Podocarp and broadleaf forest
occupies the moist and fertile river flats, with species
such as rimu, matai, miro, totara, kahikatea, kamahi and
tawa. Black and hard beech are more common on the steeper
slopes. Several fine short walks. |
|
Canterbury |
Peel Forest |
This is the 500 hectare remnant of a larger podocarp
forest that was milled until 1908. It contains fine virgin
forest and large trees. The fern flora is particularly
rich. A good choice of fine short and medium walks. |
|
West Coast/Greymouth |
Arthur's Pass National Park |
In the park west of the divide the forests are mixed and
diverse, and podocarp are commonly found on the valley
floors and the lower hillsides. Cockayne Nature Walk in
the Otira Valley offers a good opportunity to visit. |
|
West Coast/Fox & Franz-Joseph |
Westland National Park and environs |
South Westland contains the largest areas of intact
lowland podocarp forest in New Zealand. In Westland
National Park in particular the forest covers the whole
cross-section of the land, from mountain to sea. It is the
prevalence of these unique forests, set in the most
dramatic and spectacular of landscapes, that make South
Westland as a whole a place of truly unique natural
beauty. Westland National Park offers a good choice of
walks through podocarp and broadleaf forest. |
|
West Coast/Haast |
Haast Pass Highway |
Several short walks in fine podocarp forest along the
highway, both west (Billy Goat Creek) and east (Makarora)
of the divide. |
|
Southland |
Catlins Forest Park |
The park protects a large area of diverse native forest,
some of it intact. There are fine areas of podocarp
forests in the lowlands and coastal areas, with large rimu,
miro, rata. A good selection of fine short walks,
sometimes enhanced by wildlife encounters (seabirds,
seals). |
Like kauris and podocarps, the southern beeches (Nothofagus)
have a very old ancestry that is traced back to over 100 million
years. The four species of beech are better adapted to colder
climate and progressively replace podocarp-hardwood species as
altitude increases. These forests occupy vast areas of the
mountainous axis of both the North and the South Island, either
pure, or as mixed beech-podocarp-broadleaf forest. They are
usually less luxuriant than podocarp-broadleaf forests, with a
fairly open understory, particularly in the South Island.
Given below are some of the reserve forests and national parks
in New Zealand which conserve the beech forests.
|
REGION
from N to S |
FOREST |
DETAILS |
|
|
|
Bay of Plenty and
Hawkes Bay |
Urewera National Park |
This is the largest area of untouched native forest in the
North Island. Forest types vary with altitude and
location, from lowland podocarp-broadleaf forest in the
north and west, to podocarp-beech associations, and to
pure beech at highest altitudes. Several short and medium
walks. |
|
Taupo-Ruapehu |
Tongariro National Park |
There are extensive areas of beech forest south of Ruapehu.
Also more patchy areas in the west of the park, especially
along stream valleys. Several fine walks. |
|
Hawke's Bay
Manawatu |
Ruahine Forest Park |
The Ruahine Ranges are part of the main axial mountain
ranges of the North Island. There is podocarp-broadleaf
forest on the lower slopes, with occasional large trees
that have escaped milling. Beech dominates at higher
altitude. A few short and medium walks. |
|
Wellington |
Tararua Forest Park |
The Tararua Ranges have an extensive forest cover, with
beech forest widespread in central and southern areas.
Short walks from several road ends. |
|
Nelson |
Abel Tasman National Park |
All four species of beech are present in this small park,
forming the dominant forest cover down to the coastal
areas. A choice of fine short and medium walks from the
roadends at Totaranui, Maharau and Canaan Road. |
|
Nelson |
Kahurangi National Park |
Red, mountain and silver beech form the dominant forest
cover in the park, their distribution depending on
altitude and soil type. A few short and medium walks in
the Cobb and Wangapeka valleys. |
|
Nelson |
Nelson Lakes National Park |
Beech is the dominant forest cover in this park. Forest
grows from the lowest areas, on the edges of lakes Rotoiti
and Rotoroa, up to an altitude of about 1400 m (4594 ').
There is a choice of fine walks at Lake Rotoroa, and even
more at St Arnaud on the shores of Lake Rotoiti. The
Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project is an easy to visit
'mainland island' in beech forest along the shore of Lake
Rotoiti, especially interesting for its rich native
birdlife. |
|
Canterbury |
Hanmer Forest Park |
A number of short and medium walks in a variety of forest
types, including beech. |
|
Canterbury |
Arthur's Pass National Park |
East of the main divide the forest cover is predominantly
mountain beech, from the valley floors to about 1300 m
(4265 '). Several fine short and medium walks near
Arthur's Pass township. |
|
Canterbury |
Craigieburn Forest Park |
Just south of Arthur's Pass National Park, this park is a
high and rugged area. Lower slopes and sheltered areas are
clothed in mountain beech. A few short and medium walks in
mountain beech forest. |
|
Otago Makarora Valley (Haast Pass Highway) |
Mt Aspiring National Park |
There is a good choice of short and medium walks through
silver beech forest along the highway, along with
attractive mountain scenery, pure streams and native bird
life. |
|
Otago - Queenstown |
Mt Aspiring National Park and nearby areas |
The headwaters of Lake Wakatipu, around Glenorchy and the
lower reaches of the Dart and Rees valleys, is a place of
outstanding scenery. There are a few fine short and medium
walks through mainly silver beech forest. Also a few short
walks close to Queenstown and on the shores of Lake
Wakatipu, with limited amounts of beech forest. |
|
Southland |
Fiordland National Park |
The forest cover of Fiordland National Park is
predominantly beech, although podocarp forest is well
developed in coastal areas from Martin's Bay northwards,
and in the southern Waitutu Forests. There is a choice of
fine short and medium walks through beech forest in the
Hollyford and Cleddau valleys. Outstanding scenery and
other natural features (waterfalls...) make these walks
especially worthwhile. |
|
Southland |
Catlins Forest Park |
The park protects a large area of diverse native forest,
some of it intact. Large tracts of pure silver beech
forest inland. A few fine walks in beech and mixed beech-podocarp
forest, especially along the Catlins River. |
There is very little coastal forest left in New Zealand, mostly
due to development along the coast, eg. farming and the building
of housing and ports.
The mild climates near the coasts favour the growth of a number
of species of trees and can result in the establishment of
forests that can be markedly different from the more common
podocarp - broadleaf forests. Coastal forests are best developed
along the coasts of Northland and outlying islands. There the
dominant species is pohutukawa, which in summer is also the most
spectacular with its bright red flowers. Other major species
include pururi, karaka, kohekohe, and taraire. Nikau palms can
be common and even form nearly pure groves in shaded valleys,
adding a distinct tropical touch to the forest's character. This
is especially well represented in the forests of the north-west
coast of the South Island, from Punakaiki to Karamea and beyond.
Given below are some of the reserve forests and national parks
in New Zealand which conserve the coastal forests.
|
REGION
from N to S |
FOREST |
DETAILS |
|
|
|
Auckland |
Auckland Regional Parks |
Fine examples of coastal forest at Wenderholm and
Mahurangi Regional Parks, and on the west coast near
Karekare. Also Okura Bush Walkway (not a regional park),
just north of Long Bay Regional Park. |
|
Auckland |
Waitakere Ranges |
Several walks along the west coast of the ranges, into
fine tracts of coastal forest. The largest taraire forest
in the Auckland region is at Karekare. |
|
Auckland |
Rangitoto Island |
The island is a remarkable example of colonisation of a
young volcano by vegetation. The prime colonisers are
pohutukawa trees, forming a complete forest cover in which
other species such as northern rata and rewarewa can also
be found. |
|
Hawke's Bay |
Mahia Peninsula Scenic reserve |
This 374 hectare (935 acres) reserve is one of the largest
remaining tracts of native coastal forest on the whole
east coast of New Zealand. As such it is of national
significance. The forest trees include tawa, kohekohe,
rewarewa, karaka, rimu, matai and kahikatea. Native bird
life is abundant. |
|
Nelson |
Abel Tasman National Park |
The forest is mostly regenerating, but there are fine
coastal stands rich in nikau palms, tree ferns and other
broadleaf species. Short walks from Totaranui. |
|
West Coast/Karamea |
Kahurangi National Park |
Dense stands of nikau palms along the coast, especially
the coastal part of the Heaphy Track. |
|
West Coast/Punakaiki |
Paparoa National Park |
Dense podocarp and broadleaf forest right down to the sea,
to which a profusion of tree ferns and nikau palms confer
a very distinctive character. |
|
Southland |
Catlins Forest Park |
Rata can be very common in coastal areas, turning the
canopy bright red on good flowering years. A good choice
of fine short walks. |
The trees that grow in the wetland or swamp forests like to have
wet feet. Wetland forests are found at the edge of fresh water,
near lakes and rivers and in flood plains (low-lying land). Some
trees that grow in wetland forests are pukatea, kahikatea and
cabbage trees (ti kouka). Other plants found in wetland forests
are flax, toetoe, raupo, rushes and sedges.
Alpine forests are found at high altitudes – above about 500m
(above sea level) in the North Island and 300m in the South
Island. The trees and other plants that grow in alpine forests
are adapted to survive the cold. Trees growing in alpine areas
will not often grow as tall as the same species would grow in a
lowland forest because of the colder climate and wind.
Of the 6.4 million hectares of natural forest remaining in New
Zealand, around 4.9 million hectares (77 percent) are
unavailable for timber production, being held for heritage,
conservation, soil and water, and recreation values. Harvesting
timber from state-owned natural forests is confined to the
130,000 hectares set aside on the West Coast and managed by
Timberlands West Coast Limited. During 1996, 12,000 hectares set
aside in Southland and managed by Crown Forest Management
Limited was transferred to the private Waitutu Incorporation.
These forests are required to be managed under approved
sustainable forest management regimes.
Timber Production, 1997-2000
|
Wood pulp |
Rough sawn timber |
Panel products |
Chips (for export) |
Logs (for export) |
|
Year ended 31 March |
tonnes (000) |
cubic metres (000) |
|
1997 |
1,377 |
3,023 |
1,252 |
146 |
5,469 |
|
1998 |
1,412 |
3,195 |
1,291 |
253 |
5,594 |
|
1999 |
1,401 |
3,226 |
1,249 |
278 |
4,803 |
|
2000 P |
1,528 |
3,806 |
1,551 |
224 |
5,806 |
Many of the earlier plantation forests were developed by the
state, but ownership has moved increasingly to the private
sector over the last decade. In 1990 the state sold cutting
rights to 247,000 hectares, in 1991 to a further 97,000 hectares
and in 1996 to 188,000 hectares. Today approximately 93 percent
of the plantation resource is in private ownership. The state
holds the majority of the natural resource available for wood
production.
About 37 percent of New Zealand's planted production forests are
owned or managed by two major forestry companies (Carter Holt
Harvey Limited and Fletcher Challenge Limited). Seven medium
sized forestry companies own a further 20 percent of forests.
Six percent of the forest area remains in central government
ownership, managed primarily by the Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry and two state-owned enterprises. Local authorities own
a further 3 percent of the area while the balance (34 percent)
is owned by a large number of private owners including Māori
trusts. Small private investors and landowners continue to
develop an expanding area of planted production forests.
The table below shows the quantities of roundwood removed from
the forests of New Zealand in 1998–99 to support approximately
370 sawmills, seven plywood, and nine veneer plants, four
particleboard mills, eight pulp and paper mills, and five
fibreboard mills. This roundwood production does not include
firewood.
Estimated Roundwood removals from New Zealand Forests, 1995-1999
|
|
Natural forest removals |
Planted production forest removals |
|
Total |
Saw logs |
Pulp logs |
Export logs |
Other1 |
Total |
Total removals |
|
Year ended 31 March |
cubic metres (000) |
|
1995 |
205 |
5,310 |
4,060 |
4,762 |
1,846 |
15,978 |
16,183 |
|
1996 |
130 |
5,271 |
3,757 |
5,608 |
1,926 |
16,562 |
16,692 |
|
1997 |
110 |
5,459 |
3,142 |
5,469 |
1,894 |
15,964 |
16,090 |
|
1998 |
75 |
5,810 |
3,152 |
5,594 |
2,074 |
16,630 |
16,705 |
|
1999 |
125 |
5,865 |
2,971 |
4,803 |
2,050 |
15,689 |
15,814 |
Radiata pine accounts for about 94 percent of the total cut of
exotics, Douglas fir for just over 4 percent and other conifers
for most of the remainder. Less than 1 percent of the country's
sawn timber production comes from natural forests.
Tropical Timber Production of New Zealand (1,000
m^3)
|
Product |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
|
Logs |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sawnwood |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Veneer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Plywood |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Tropical Timber Consumption of
New Zealand (1,000 m^3)
|
Product |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
|
Logs |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Sawnwood |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Veneer |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Plywood |
4 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
NZFIC represents and promotes the interests of all sectors
involved in the New Zealand forest industry. Membership
comprises forestry and wood processing companies and sector
associations who collectively own and manage a sustainable,
planted production forest resource of 1.8 million hectares.
New Zealand forestry directly employs 26,000 people, accounts
for 4 percent of GDP, has annual sales of more than $5 billion
and is the country’s third largest export earner at $3.5 billion
annually. Through its Vision 2025, the industry aims to become
New Zealand’s largest export sector, directly employ 60,000
people, contribute 14 percent of GDP and record an annual
turnover of $20 billion.
|
are in natural forest and 1.7 million hectares in planted
production forests. Of the total planted production forest
estate, 91 percent is radiata pine (Pinus radiata), and 5
percent is Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Hardwoods
comprise about 3 percent of New Zealand's planted production
forests. The most important hardwood plantation species are
eucalypts originating from Australia.