NEW ZEALAND

Forest covers 29% of New Zealands land area. 6.4 million ha are indigenous forests and over 1.7 million ha are planted production forests. The government owns 77% of the indigenous forest; the private owners of the remainder are required to manage their forests through sustainable management plans and permits, control the indigenous timber input to sawmills, and are prohibited from exporting indigenous woodchip and logs. Less than 1% of New Zealands forest production is harvested from indigenous forests.

Ownership of the planted production forests is divided between national and local government, private companies and landowners. Forestry contributes over 5% of New Zealands GDP and the potential for further development is considerable. Wood supply is expected to double by 2010 compared to the figure in 1998, accounting for nearly 2% of the worlds supply of industrial roundwood.

In December 2006, the New Zealand government agreed a Policy on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade. The policy sets out goals and objectives focused on international and national engagement. The government has also developed a timber and wood products procurement policy which requires government departments and agencies to seek legally sourced timber and to take steps to ensure products are from sustainably managed forests.

However, there has been much publicity and criticism of continuing imports, particularly in the private sector, of kwila from countries such as Papua New Guinea and Malaysia, much of which is believed to have been logged illegally and to have resulted in destruction of areas of tropical rainforest. Following a long campaign, a number of companies have stopped importing kwila, used mainly for decking. The government is exploring the possibilities of working with the Malaysian government on measures to combat illegal logging and promote reforestation, and on collaboration in scientific and technological research.

DOCUMENTS

DATE	TITLE	AUTHOR
01/10/2008	New Zealand Green Party Forestry Policy: Supporting sustainable forests New Zealand Green Party forestry policy pledges, including a complete ban on the import of illegal t ...	New Zealand Green Party
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27/05/2008	Illegal Logging and Associated Trade: International and Domestic Action Proposal to New Zealand's cabinet on illegal logging and associated trade. Covers engagement in ...	New Zealand Ministers of Forestry and Trade
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06/02/2008	Greenpeace New Zealand: Your guide to forest friendly outdoor furniture retailers This guide ranks leading outdoor furniture retailers in New Zealand on their policies and practice on ...	Greenpeace
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01/07/2007	Implications for the New Zealand Wood Products Sector of Trade Distortions Due to Illegal Logging This study determined the production, trade and price effects of international trade distortions due ...	New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
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01/11/2006	New Zealand Policy to Address Illegal Logging and Associated Trade The policy is proposed as New Zealand's response to the problem of illegal logging and associated ...	New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
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NEWS

DATE	TITLE	AUTHOR
03/04/2013	Unlawful milling suspected after ministry raids Charges could follow after a Ministry for Primary Industries' swoop on suspected illegal milling ...	Nelson Mail (New Zealand)
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11/09/2012	Interpol clamps down on illegal logging The illegal logging industry is worth almost as much as drug production, according to the international ...	BBC News
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23/08/2012	NZ timber industries nervous about Australian legislation New Zealand forest and timber industries are keeping a close watch on the passage of illegal logging ...	Radio New Zealand News
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21/08/2012	Australia, NZ vow to stop illegal logging Australia and New Zealand have signed a pledge to work together to stamp out illegal logging. ...	The Australian
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15/05/2012	Cottonsoft welcomes new forest protection policies Tissue and toilet paper manufacturer Cottonsoft has welcomed a raft of new sustainability measures by ...	Voxy.co.nz, New Zealand
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14/03/2012	Forestry groups wary of Australian legislation The forestry sector fears proposed legislation in Australia blocking illegally harvested timber could ...	Radio New Zealand News
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02/03/2012	Cottonsoft’s link to illegal rainforest destruction Undercover investigation proves Cottonsoft’s link to illegal rainforest destruction An Asia ...	Scoop Independent News, New Zealand
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06/12/2011	Pacific trade deal could help save species: U.S. Trade in illegally poached and harvested wildlife and wild plants could be curbed, possibly saving endangered ...	Reuters
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14/11/2011	Toilet paper critics on a roll Next time you see a loo roll think about where the fibre is sourced from. In the seventh of an eight-part ...	Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand
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02/09/2011	Cottonsoft smokescreen fools nobody as Foodstuffs launches investigation It's been ten days since we first revealed that Cottonsoft toilet paper was linked to deforestation ...	Scoop Independent News, New Zealand
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31/08/2011	Supermarket challenges toilet paper marker to disprove deforestation allegations A major New Zealand supermarket chain has asked Cottonsoft to prove its environmental credentials after ...	Mongabay.com
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22/08/2011	NZ toilet paper brand linked to deforestation in Indonesia - WWF An investigation released today reveals that Auckland based company Cottonsoft is sourcing its toilet ...	Voxy.co.nz, New Zealand
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22/08/2011	Cottonsoft hits back at 'outrageous' toilet paper claims Toilet paper maker Cottonsoft has slammed as "wrong and outrageous" claims that its paper comes ...	The New Zealand Herald
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14/04/2011	Moves to stop Indonesian illegal timber imports supported A group of timber importers have pledged to stop buying any wood from Indonesia unless it is legally ...	The National Business Review, New Zealand
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08/02/2011	Group overstates deforestation of NZ A global conservation group has apologised for mistakenly naming New Zealand as one of the world's ...	Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand
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07/02/2011	Government happy with palm kernel imports The Government has no plans to stop palm kernel imports after Greenpeace activists were arrested this ...	The National Business Review, New Zealand
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06/02/2011	Ship protestors due in court Five members of Greenpeace who were arrested after boarding a ship transporting palm kernel, will appear ...	Radio New Zealand
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05/02/2011	Greenpeace activists who boarded ship arrested The Greenpeace activists who boarded a ship in a bid to prevent it from unloading 10,000 tonnes of palm ...	Radio New Zealand
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04/02/2011	New Zealand named deforestation 'hot spot' A global conservation group has named New Zealand one of the world's top deforestation "hot ...	Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand
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11/10/2010	Greens: forestry meeting needs to address illegal timber Forestry industry representatives can use their conference this week to call on the Government to regulate ...	Voxy.co.nz, New Zealand
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06/10/2010	Trade Me to tweak rules around sale of kwila Online marketplace Trade Me is moving to regulate the trade of new kwila furniture or decking products, ...	Scoop Independent News, New Zealand
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01/10/2010	Protest at Wellington Bunnings over sale of endangered species At 12noon on Saturday 2nd October a protest organised by Rainforest Action Wellington will take place ...	Voxy.co.nz, New Zealand
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27/09/2010	New Zealand home owners contribute to destruction of world's forests As summer approaches, New Zealand home owners are again poised to make their blind contribution to the ...	Scoop Independent News, New Zealand
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21/09/2010	Fonterra’s implication in rainforest destruction Auckland – Following new evidence, Greenpeace demands that Fonterra and the Government put an end ...	Scoop Independent News, New Zealand
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14/08/2010	NZ government has no plans to ban illegal timber imports The New Zealand government says it has not plans to legislate against importing illegally-sourced timber ...	TTJ, The Timber Industry Magazine, UK
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10/08/2010	Time to shut the door on illegal wood imports The government needs to urgently adopt measures to prevent products from illegally logged forests being ...	Scoop Independent News, New Zealand
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11/07/2010	Govt to launch awareness campaign on illegal timber A move in Europe to stop the importation and sale of illegally logged timber has prompted an awareness ...	Radio New Zealand
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29/01/2010	Call for tougher moves on illegal timber The Forest Owners' Association says New Zealand should be looking to the United States for inspiration ...	Radio New Zealand International
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28/01/2010	Timber labelling move reversed The Government has decided to go back on moves towards a mandatory timber labelling scheme, aimed at ...	Radio New Zealand International
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13/12/2009	Protests continue at Auckland furniture shops sell Rainforest Action and the Indonesian Human Rights Committee are maintaining protests outside the stores ...	Scoop Independent News, New Zealand
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27/11/2009	New Zealand firm "linked to deforestation" A company in New Zealand has been accused of being involved in activity leading to endangered rainforest ...	Cool Earth
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13/10/2009	Homeless orang-utan sings What: Street theatre - a busking orang-utan When: 8am, Wednesday 14 October Where: Wellington Railway ...	Voxy.co.nz, New Zealand
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16/09/2009	All protesters removed from freighter All the remaining Greenpeace protesters who stormed and chained themselves to freighter East Ambition ...	3news, New Zealand
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17/08/2009	The case against palm oil Public concerns over palm oil were highlighted when Cadbury revealed it had started using palm oil in ...	Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand
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18/06/2009	Maire Leadbeater: How we can help the fight against global warming without trying If New Zealand could make a contribution that would help prevent further global warming but make virtually ...	The New Zealand Herald
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09/04/2009	Shrinking forests: the many costs In early December 2004, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the military and police ...	Prism Webcast News
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02/04/2009	Illegal trading of a national treasure ...	TVNZ, New Zealand
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17/12/2008	Greenpeace Good Wood Guide launched Auckland, New Zealand ' Greenpeace today launched its online Good Wood Guide together with an updated ...	Scoop.co.nz (New Zealand)
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03/11/2008	Anderton's stand against illegal logging backed (NZ Forest Owners Association Press Release) A government plan to require all lumber and wood products ...	Scoop (New Zealand)
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06/10/2008	Greens forestry policy tackles illegal logging The Greens want imports of illegally logged timber halted. ...	National Business Review (New Zealand)
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06/10/2008	New Zealand: Greens' woulds for green wood The Green Party has pledged in its Forestry ...	Scoop.co.nz (New Zealand)
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28/07/2008	Norman: Major Breakthrough In Tropical Timber Campaign New Zealand - Big Save, Harvey Norman, Briscoes, Farmers and The Warehouse have now all promised not ...	Voxy (New Zealand)
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28/07/2008	Greens say shops do more than govt to stop kwila imports New Zealand's furniture stores are doing more to stop imports of illegally logged tropical timber ...	3 News NZ (New Zealand)
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03/06/2008	Lives 'destroyed' to build Kiwi backyard Septer Manufandu, from Indonesia, is a man on a mission - he wants to stop Kiwis from buying kwila. ...	New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
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02/06/2008	NZ Keen To Work With Malaysia To Combat Illegal Logging Banting, Malaysia - New Zealand is keen to work with Malaysia to combat illegal logging and collaborate ...	Bernama (Malaysia)
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28/05/2008	Crackdown on illegally logged timber wins support The timber import industry has backed government moves to stop illegally logged wood from entering New ...	Radio New Zealand (New Zealand)
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28/05/2008	Greens call for action over illegal timber New Zealand - The Government is working on measures to address the trade in illegally logged timber, ...	New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
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27/05/2008	Govt. dithers, rainforest-felling imports continue (Green Party Press Release) New Zealand - The Green Party has welcomed a government pledge to try to ...	Scoop (New Zealand)
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29/03/2008	Protest at the sale of furniture made from Kwila (Press Release - Indonesia Human Rights Committee) New Zealand - Protest at the sale of furniture made ...	Scoop.co.nz (New Zealand)
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22/03/2008	Greens target Harvey Norman New Zealand - The Green Party says some goods sold by retailer Harvey Norman are made from an illegal ...	TVNZ (New Zealand)
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25/02/2008	Warehouse #1 for Forest Friendly Outdoor Furniture A Greenpeace survey of 19 New Zealand furniture retailers recommends The Warehouse as the best place ...	Scoop (New Zealand)
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08/02/2008	Greenpeace report angers furniture retailer New Zealand - South Island retailer Smiths City is embroiled in a row with Greenpeace over a report critical ...	The Press (New Zealand)
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21/01/2008	TVNZ Criticised Over Link to Rainforest Destruction in PNG New Zealand - TVNZ is facing severe criticism over its decision to allow the National Bank to sponsor ...	Epoch Times (USA)
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21/12/2007	US cracks down in illegal timber imports: why not NZ (New Zealand Green Party Press Release) The United States Senate has passed a law cracking down on the ...	Scoop (New Zealand)
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12/12/2007	C’mon ANZ, don’t finance forest destruction in Tas (New Zealand Green Party Press Release) Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman today called on ANZ customers ...	Scoop.co.nz (New Zealand)
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10/09/2007	Govt changes mind on sustainability (Green Party Press Release) New Zealand - The Green Party is welcoming the decision by the Minister of ...	Scoop (New Zealand)
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05/09/2007	Illegal logging costs NZ producers millions Illegal logging is costing New Zealand wood producers hundreds of millions of dollars in the global marketplace, ...	Beehive.govt.nz (New Zealand)
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11/12/2006	Greens want illegal logging policy taken further New Zealand - The Green Party says new government policy on illegal logging does not go far enough. ...	Radio New Zealand (New Zealand)
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10/12/2006	Govt orders use of legal timber New Zealand - Government departments have been ordered to buy timber and wood products sourced only from ...	TVNZ (New Zealand)
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10/12/2006	Tackling Illegal Logging New Zealand - Minister of Forestry, Jim Anderton today announced the Labour-Progressive government's ...	Scoop (New Zealand)
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15/11/2006	New Zealand: Questions to Ministers Extract from New Zealand's questions and answers to ministers from 15 November 2006. ...	Scoop (New Zealand)
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18/10/2006	Greens call for action against illegal timber (Press Release Green Party) New Zealand - The Green Party is calling on the Government to take urgent ...	Scoop (New Zealand)
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25/08/2006	Tradewinds: Fish hooks in mandatory certification New Zealand - Those who advocate mandatory eco-certification of wood imports as a means to address illegal ...	New Zealand Forest Industries (New Zealand)
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09/03/2006	Illegal Logging – looking at how NZ can help The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is seeking input on ways New Zealand can contribute to ...	Scoop (New Zealand)
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30/09/2005	ALP floats single Pacific market Australia - A Labor proposal for a "Pacific Community" - including a common market and a possible ...	Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
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01/09/2005	Ban illegally logged timber New Zealand: The Green Party wants a ban on the import of illegally logged timber to protect native forests ...	Scoop (New Zealand)
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05/04/2005	Malaysia – NZ industries condemn illegal logging New Zealand’s forest industry and the Malaysian Timber Council have issued a joint statement condemning ...	Scoop (New Zealand)
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LINKS

TITLE	DESCRIPTION	REPORT
New Zealand: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)	This link takes you to information about New Zealand's Timber policies to address illegal logging and associated trade, including public procurement of timber.	Broken link
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