The NZ Dryland Forests Initiative (NZDFI) has a vision of developing a multi-regional network of hardwood industries based on durable eucalypt plantings by 2050. Each regional industry will comprise a wood supply catchment centred on a future processing operation.

Paul Millen, NZDFI Project Manager says “we have identified 12 potential catchments and are working with partners in priority regions to identify future processing sites and annual planting targets. Around 5,000 hectares in total will need to be planted in each catchment, either on pastoral land or harvested forestry plantation sites, over the next 30 years, that’s around 170 ha per year”.

Paul forecasts that these forests and woodlots will supply a small-to-medium sized processing operation. Each catchment could result in 200 new FTEs and contribute $82.5 million per year to the regional economy.

The NZDFI aims for the Marlborough catchment to produce naturally durable timber posts and poles for the region’s vineyards as an alternative to posts made from CCA-treated pine, steel or plastic. NZDFI has developed Guidelines for Growers . The Marlborough web page shows a map illustrating what a wood supply catchment centred on Kaituna could look like.

The first generation of NZDFI’s improved ‘Xylogene’-branded planting stock will become available this spring – the result of 13 years of breeding trials and research. Xylogene plants will be produced in increasing numbers from 2021 onwards and will be available to growers in our target wood-supply catchments.