I had a large number of people interested in my research on the forestry of new Zealand, so I have decided to post a full length report on what I have learned. The information here is as accurate as the information I got during my many hours of surfing online. I do not claim to be an expert or anything as this is just a hobby for me.

     Where it all begins is somewhere during the turn of the century where the native forests were being clear-cut at an aggressive rate and the government realized something had to be done. After extensive species testing, they determined that plantations of western California Radiata Pine (AKA. Monterey pine & Insignis Pine) would grow very well. By 1936  317,000 ha (697,400 acres) had been planted. The trend continued to present day where NZ now has 1.64 Million hectares of plantations. With Radiata Pine making up 90% of these plantations. It is estimated that 16 million cubic meters of wood fiber is currently being produced annually. This production is expected to almost triple to 40 million cubic meters by the year 2020 as young plantations mature to a harvestable age. Much effort is put into these trees through out their life at certain stages, after planting the tree's they are thinned to allow for room to grow and manage competing vegetation. During the earlier years of their growth the trees are pruned of their lower limbs and branches to attain clear wood without defects and knots.

     Radiata Pine matures in about 20-30 years. The size is from 12" to 36" in dia. and 50 to 100 feet tall. With NZ growing tree's to the larger end of this scale. It is reported to be fast growing and easily established. Although R-P has little tolerance against decay fungi or organisms. The tree is also prone to damage by insects. A problem to be concerned with due to the fact that most plantations are monoculture. The lumber yielded from R-P is pink-brownish in color with no characteristic odor or taste. The grain is generally straight with the rare occurrence of spiral grain in defected logs. The lumber accepts most all kind of carpentry from nailing, gluing, sawing, planing and painting with the results being satisfactory in all category's. With proper pruning techniques the lumber is reported to be very clear of knots and defects even in small logs. Resulting in top grade peelers for plywood.

     The pine export's to Asia and other eastern countries earn NZ approx. $2.2 Billion dollars a year at the current level. With $3 billion being the estimate after the Asian economic recovery begins to take place. This figure makes up 25% of NZ's export income. Japan is the number one customer to NZ with 30 percent of earnings coming from them, Australia is number two generating 29.2% and 14.2% coming from Korea. USA only imports a small portion of this, which only makes up about 5% of their export earnings. The world has an estimated 3.8 million hectares of Radiata Pine; NZ currently holds 34.9% with the country of Chile barely leading them by 1% holding about 35.9% globally. With NZ expanding their plantations by an estimated 80,000 ha per year it won't be long before they become a world leader in growing R-P.

     The harvesting techniques used there are rapidly becoming the most advanced in the world. In the areas with little to no slope, mechanical harvesters, skidders and harvesters are used. The areas with moderate slope still use conventional dozer with winch/grapple and human timber felling. Although from what I have seen there are a lot of new machines used. Caterpillar 527's and 525's are common. Very steep areas see a lot of yarder use, or cable hauler's as the Zealander's call them. Most are of the swing Yarder's mounted on tracks with standard tube units running a close second. A dealer from Ross corp. recently told me that a new THUNDERBIRD 6140 SLR has been shipped to NZ to be used by Weyerhaeuser to be used on their land withholdings. Also most of the carriages are of the motorized type, slack puller's or full drop line models. It seems that everything is geared towards moving a lot of volume in a short period of time. Probably due to that fact that the value of NZ's dollar is pretty low.

     As I have stated above this is purely a hobby of mine so if any errors have been written here please email me and let me know, so I will know the correct stuff to say next time. I have a lot of links to NZ if you want more info just ask and I will send my links to you...