Gisborne District Council stands by land transition business case costing and approach

Pine plantations in the hills to the south of Gisborne. Eastland Wood council says it shows how the plantations hold soil in place in stark contrast to neighbouring bare slopes scarred by landslides. Photo / Eastland Wood Council

The plan to transition up to 100,000ha of land in Tairāwhiti to native bush has support from stakeholders, but disagreement remains around costing and the process.

Eastland Wood Council chair Julian Kohn says forestry companies can’t get resource consent to do the very work needed to enable transition, while Gisborne District Council chief executive Nedine Thatcher-Swann says existing rules were designed to enable responsible land use.

“This change from pine to some form of permanent vegetation has to be managed carefully and not driven by anti-forestry sentiment,” Kohn said.

Forestry contributed the majority of $197 million a year to the region’s economy, provided jobs, invested in roading and underpinned community wellbeing, he said.

“We want young people to stay in this region and have confidence there will be jobs for them when they leave school. We understand the need to change land use and believe there is still place for forestry here.”

More than 18% of the land earmarked for change was already planted in pine, he said.

“Those trees must be felled before permanent vegetation can be established. Yet the very rules designed to protect the land are now preventing the harvesting needed to enable transition.”

Thatcher-Swann said the existing rules did not make the land transition more difficult.

“Our consenting processes are designed to enable responsible land use, supported by experienced staff who work closely with applicants from pre-application through to approval,” she said.

“Where additional information is requested, it is to ensure proposals are robust and activities are managed safely and sustainably for the land and community.”

Thatcher-Swann said the business case outlined opportunities to undertake transition through a process which built on previous models.

“This process is collaborative with operational and financial assistance available to support landowners through transition.”

The council was “proud to lead a collaborative, science-based approach to land use transition in Tairāwhiti”.

“The transition business case has been developed through the combined expertise of forestry, farming, iwi, environmental, council and community representatives through the Transition Advisory Group (TAG). Their work is grounded in good science, robust data and local knowledge, ensuring all sectors are reflected in the plan.

“We’re focused on supporting our landowners and industries to transition in ways to protect our people, environment and economy for the long term.

“We support both forestry and farming as vital parts of our regional economy, but they must be carried out in ways that protect our land, deliver lasting benefits for local people, and reflect the aspirations of iwi and our wider community.”

‘Rated and regulated into decline’ or necessary rates adjustment?

Kohn said forestry was “being rated and regulated into decline”.

“One example is a young forest, just two years old, which saw its annual rates bill jump from $20,000 to $87,000 in a single year despite the fact it won’t harvest for decades.”

Thatcher-Swann said the council had identified in its 2024-2027 three- year plan that there needed to be a change in rating for roading and for the clean-up of woody debris.

“We completed reviews and assessments of the damage caused to our roads based on logging trucks, and the percentage of exotic trees that was within the woody debris on our beaches,” she said.

“As such, the rating category for forestry land pays a higher contribution to the roading maintenance, paying 13.5x per dollar of capital value than a residential property ... it was 12.5x prior to 2023.”

A new targeted rate had been implemented based on capital value to the forestry and pastoral sector to protect the region’s infrastructure assets.

The forestry sector contributes 70%, pastoral farms contribute 15% and a public good component is collected from the community in the uniform annual general charge (15%).

Costing estimates - $600m v $750m+

Kohn said his group accepted that 60,000-100,000ha of steep, erosion‑prone land must transition, but they had a “very different” cost estimate and time frame.

“We see this transition taking almost 40 years and costing upwards of $750m, which are very different figures from Gisborne District Council’s business case numbers.”

Kohn said the 40-year time frame reflected the 25-35-year radiata pine rotation length in the region, along with the years needed to replant and establish new trees.

Their estimate of $750m covered labour, transport, equipment, seedlings, chemicals, aerial operations and setup, along with administration.

“Costs will vary significantly per hectare.

“Retiring pine from these areas of land is necessary to protect downstream infrastructure and communities. However, there will be a material cost to the community, which will not be offset by the creation of any revegetation programme.”

The council cost estimate is around $600m, with approximately $359m sought in Government co-investment during the first 10 years.

“The total cost would naturally increase over 30 years as further applications are made for the second and third decades of the programme,” Thatcher-Swann said.

“Careful consideration of the costs has been made throughout the development of the business case. A comprehensive cost model and full spreadsheet are included in the business case, providing transparency around the assumptions and calculations used.”