Size of rimu cull in question

The man who owns an ancient rimu forest on conservation land near Wanganui may be allowed to keep at least some of the trees he has already logged.

Native miller Chris Bergman of Wildlife Properties bought the 200ha Taunoka Forest six months ago for less than a million dollars. He said he only found out later that it had historic cutting rights which had not been used by the former owner and, with value added, estimated the logs would be worth $12 million by the time the rights expired in early 2010.

Unable to reach agreement with the Department of Conservation over the fate of the huge rimu, some of which are estimated to be up to 1000 years old, Mr Bergman started felling just over a week ago.

When the first few truckloads of logs were being transported from the forest late last week, Whanganui iwi - protesting at what activist Ken Mair described as "environmental terrorism of the worst kind" - blocked the road out to prevent the trees leaving the district.

Police were called and about 20 logs were unloaded from the trucks and impounded in Wanganui.

A further 80 were left on the forest floor.

Amid outrage from some quarters and admission by Conservation Minister Chris Carter that, although extremely concerned, the department could do nothing legally, Mr Bergman voluntarily stopped further logging until he had met the various parties.

Under the Wanganui District Council's plan, Mr Bergman is restricted to clearing only half a hectare a year.

Conservancy staff estimate he has exceeded his annual limit and asked for the council to investigate.

Mayor Michael Laws could not be contacted for comment but it is understood the council will appoint an independent adviser to determine the exact extent of the cut so far.

Mr Bergman said last evening that his meeting with Mr Laws and council officials had gone very well. It looked likely he would get back the logs locked in the Wanganui compound.

If it could be proved he had cut more than this year's quota then the surplus could come off next year's, he said. "I still own the forest."

Mr Bergman said he had offered the cutting rights to DoC for $6.5 million and been turned down.

"If I can mill it, it is going to keep me and my men in the job till 2010. If not, I want compensation."

He said he also suggested trading the trees for an adjoining piece of conservation land containing an old breed of wild cattle, dating back to the Great Depression.

"DoC wants to shoot them but the herd needs to be managed and I was willing to look after them jointly with the department," Mr Bergman said yesterday.

"These are very hardy animals which have never been subjected to any drench or modern-day drugs. Their genetics could be extremely valuable. They are part of New Zealand's heritage too."

Wanganui conservancy spokesman Jeff Mitchell-Anyon confirmed that any cattle on conservation land were regarded as pests but denied any decision had ever been made to shoot the wild herd, which he compared to the Kaimanawa wild horses near Waiouru.