Two Northland bodies will plant 2843 hectares of trees as part of the Government's One Billion Trees programme, a move that Forestry Minister Shane Jones says will provide much-needed jobs and social benefits.
The Government's One Billion Trees programme is realising economic, environmental and social benefits across regional New Zealand through its forestry joint venture agreements, just a year after it was launched, Jones said when announcing the latest joint ventures.
A total of 21 joint ventures have been signed between Te Uru Rākau (Forestry New Zealand) – the lead agency of the programme - and landowners across the country.
The latest joint ventures to be signed are with Kaipara-based hapu Te Uri o Hau, which will see 2843 hectares of plantation forestry planted on the Pouto Peninsula in Kaipara; and Tapuwae Inc, covering up to 800 hectares in the Tapuwae Forest in Hokianga.
"Te Uri o Hau is the second largest planting initiative for the One Billion Trees Programme to date," Jones said.