PROBLEMS OF FORESTRY AS THEY AFFECT LAND-USE FOR AGRICULTURE IN WESTLAND Part 1 : The Production Forests

Abstract

WESTLAND CONSERVANCY, which conforms to the Westland Land District boundaries, being bounded in the north by the Porarari, Otututu and Grey rivers, to the east by the main divide, and to the south by the Awarua River, contains the most important mechantable indigenous forests remaining in New Zealand. These forests are important from both the national and regional viewpoints, as with controlled cutting they will be capable of producing a major contribution to New Zealand's requirements of high quality timber and veneers for nearly one hundred years. Their value will be further enhanced in the future, as the now limited indigenous forests in other regions are depleted, and this premium will be maintained until, and even after, such time as comparable grades can be produced in sufficient quantity from well-tended exotic forests. As a strategic reserve, should any disaster befall the exotic forests, the indigenous forests of Westland also fill a valuable role. From the regional viewpoint, these production forests will provide the raw material for a locally based industry, which is now being expanded to help give stability to a regional economy where the resources available for industrial development are limited.