Partnership programme helps forestry labour drive

The Government has agreed to fund a campaign to ease the shortage of skilled forestry and wood-processing workers in the central North Island.

The campaign, coordinated by the Rotorua District Council, is one of eight regional development projects to benefit from the third round of grants under the Industry New Zealand regional partnerships programme.

Ross Stanway, being coordinator of the Rotorua campaign, said a survey was already under way to identify skill shortages and training needs in the region's forestry industry.

Thanks to the funding provided by the partnership programme, it would now be possible to employ someone to work with schools, trainers and other educators to "improve recruitment and retention of young people into the forestry industry."

Industry New Zealand is giving $133,000 to the Rotorua region. As well as supporting the forestry work, the money will be used to help to build the Arawa tribe's economic capacity.

Other regional grants in the latest round are: Manawatu, $135,000; Canterbury, $200,000; Wairarapa, $82,500; Mataatua (Eastern Bay of Plenty), $100,000; Hawkes Bay, $100,000; Wellington, $70,000; and Southland, $100,000.

The Government has allocated $33 million for the regional partnerships programme over three years.