FORESTRY WORKERS
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

About 7% of New Zealand's land area is planted in managed forests. Not only are those trees the basis of an important export industry and a significant employer, they are at the centre of New Zealand's response to climate change. 

FOREST HELP FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE

Trees are fantastic carbon sinks, meaning they absorb, or 'sequester', solid carbon from the carbon dioxide industry and agriculture pump into the atmosphere. This tree sequestration reduces New Zealand's net carbon emissions and so lessens their effect on the global environment.

To that end, the Government has committed to boosting replanting, planning to see one billion trees planted between 2018 and 2027. By the end of 2018 more than 60 million trees had already been planted. 

FORESTS PREVENT EROSION

Trees also help reduce erosion and improve water quality.  Both directly protect the environment and improve our living standards.

FORESTRY COMPANIES VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Currently, 1.2 million hectares of New Zealand's forests have been awarded a environmental certification to show they are sustainably managed. 

Meeting these global certification standards are voluntary but the great majority of our forestry companies sign up and meet these environmental standards. 

The standards are issued by:

A FORESTRY CAREER IS A GREEN CAREER

By picking a career in forestry, you become a steward of the land. Whether replanting, harvesting with care, protecting endangered species, helping ensure our country's biodiversity and biosecurity, you are helping conserve the future of forestry - and our country.

You can be very proud of the work you do during your days in the forest. You will have worked hard, done your best, and made a significant contribution to the wealth and health of our country.