Recommendations in Land Use report ‘need to be taken seriously’: Federated Farmers

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Federated Farmers Gisborne-based forestry spokesperson Toby Williams is urging the Government to act quickly on the recommendations made in the Ministerial Inquiry into Land Use report.

“The Government needs to take the recommendations in this report very seriously and move quickly to make changes that will protect our community,” Mr Williams said.

“If they don’t, we are just going to see a repeat of the total devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle repeated every few years.

“That’s just not an outcome this community will be willing to accept.”

The recommendations made for Tairāwhiti are clear, compelling and provide a bespoke solution for our region, Mr Williams said.

“We have a very short window to make changes, so now is not the time to sit on our hands.

“The concerns that have been raised about the forestry sector are the same concerns that Federated Farmers have been highlighting for the last few

years.

“It’s been absolutely devastating to see farm after farm of productive land converted into a blanket landscape of forestry, knowing what that will mean for our community.

“The Government now needs to show some courage and stand up to the forestry industry.

“We need to see change”.