TOTSWC Newsletter December 2025 #6

The 2025 year has brought some significant challenges to the TOTS forest industry with mid-year floods across the region followed by a significant windthrow event in the Tasman district.

This coupled with closure of the CHH sawmill in the region and declining log export prices, has certainly made it a year to put behind us. It was very encouraging to see how very little harvesting slash was mobilised in the storm events and the positive response of forest owners in assisting neighbours and the wider community with the aftermath clean up. Our TOTSWC continues to gather recognition momentum with government MP’s, local authorities and community groups and is working well with other Wood Councils around the country in sharing information and addressing issues in common.

Our Important focus areas for the 2026 year ahead are:

• Strategic Plan implementation, we have members assigned to each area of the plan to ensure progress.
• Promoting the council to new members.
• Keep up positive communication that forests are good for land, economy and communities.
• Continue to develop close working relationships with local councils, government agencies, NZFOA and other Wood Councils
• 2026 TOTSWC Forestry Awards evening
• Te Hoiere Forestry Projects.
• Generating more funding for the council.

I would like to thank Angela for her hard work & everyone else on the committee for their support and contribution. All the best for the holiday break, I trust it is a relaxing time with family and friends.

Steve
Chair, TOTSWC