Understanding the Forests Act and Sustainable Indigenous Forestry

New Zealand’s approach to forestry has evolved significantly over the years, driven by a commitment to sustainability and conservation. The Forests Act 1949, and particularly the amendments made in 1993, govern the harvesting of native timber, ensuring that indigenous forests are managed sustainably rather than exploited through clear-felling, as was historically done with species like rimu.

Under the Act, indigenous timber can only be harvested under a Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Plan or Permit, requiring selective logging, regeneration, and long-term forest health monitoring. Every tree removed is GPS-tracked and tagged, preventing illegal logging and ensuring transparency in the timber supply chain. This framework puts New Zealand at the forefront of sustainable forestry worldwide—a stark contrast to the deforestation seen in other timber-producing nations.

Beech: The Underutilised Resource with Vast Potential

Despite New Zealand's commitment to sustainable forestry, one of the country’s most abundant and versatile native timbers—beech (Nothofagus species)—remains drastically underutilised. While exotic species like pine dominate the construction sector, beech provides a sustainable, locally grown alternative that could revolutionise furniture, flooring, decking, cladding, and countertops.

Why Beech?

Beech is not only a strong, durable hardwood but also a fast-regenerating species found in vast quantities across New Zealand. It has long been overshadowed by exotic plantation timbers, but the reality is:

• New Zealand’s indigenous forests contain vast volumes of beech, which regenerates naturally when selectively harvested.
• Beech is highly workable, making it ideal for furniture, flooring, and cabinetry.
• It is more sustainable than importing hardwoods, which often come from less-regulated tropical forests.
• The colour variation and grain patterns are unique, offering aesthetic qualities unmatched by many alternatives.
• It is naturally durable, making it a strong candidate for outdoor use, particularly decking, cladding, and exterior joinery.

Learning from the Past: The Rimu Example

New Zealand has learned the hard way that poor forestry management can have devastating effects. Rimu was once over-harvested, leading to severe reductions in its availability for commercial use. To avoid repeating the same mistakes, beech forestry is managed under Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) principles.

What is Continuous Cover Forestry?

CCF is a sustainable forestry method that involves selective harvesting while maintaining continuous canopy cover, ensuring the forest ecosystem remains intact. Instead of large-scale clear-felling, individual trees or small groups are removed, allowing younger trees to grow and replace them naturally. The benefits of CCF include:

• No loss of biodiversity—wildlife habitats remain undisturbed.
• Improved forest resilience—reduces disease and pest outbreaks.
• Consistent carbon sequestration—forests continue to absorb CO₂ even while being harvested.
• Sustainable economic benefits—a perpetual supply of timber without exhausting resources.

The Sheer Scale of Beech Growth in New Zealand

Beech forests cover a significant portion of New Zealand’s total indigenous forest area, yet only a fraction is being harvested under SFM plans. The sheer volume of beech growth means that sustainably utilising just a small portion each year could provide a long-term economic and environmental benefit.

With 575,000 cubic metres of beech permitted for harvest annually—and only a small fraction currently being utilised—there is an enormous opportunity to increase the use of this homegrown, sustainable timber.

The Economic and Environmental Benefits of Utilising More Beech

1. Boosting the Domestic Economy – Increased demand for beech could support local sawmills, furniture makers, and builders, reducing reliance on imported timbers.
2. Reducing Carbon Emissions – Less need for shipping hardwoods from overseas, lowering New Zealand’s overall carbon footprint.
3. Sustaining Forestry Jobs – Promoting sustainable beech harvesting would revitalise native timber industries that have declined since the end of large-scale rimu harvesting.
4. Creating High-Value Products – Beech is well-suited for premium furniture, engineered flooring, architectural features, and outdoor structures, adding value to New Zealand’s timber industry.
5. Preserving Native Forests for Future Generations – By using CCF and SFM methods, we ensure that native forests remain healthy and productive indefinitely.

A Call to Action: Making Beech a Staple of New Zealand Construction & Design

The numbers are clear: New Zealand is sitting on a goldmine of sustainable, high-quality timber that is largely untapped. Beech has the potential to replace exotic species and imported hardwoods in numerous applications, from residential flooring and furniture to large-scale commercial projects.

With a national focus on reducing environmental impact, why continue importing hardwoods when we have an abundance of native timber available under strict sustainability guidelines?

By increasing awareness, promoting its use, and making beech a mainstream timber choice, New Zealand can lead the world in sustainable native forestry, ensuring our forests continue to thrive while also strengthening our economy.

It’s time for builders, architects, furniture makers, and homeowners to embrace New Zealand beech—a truly sustainable, durable, and beautiful timber that is ready to take its rightful place in the future of design and construction.