Environmental forestry: Are you ready for the 2026 reset?
Friday 6 Mar 2026
With the New Zealand forestry sector facing a massive regulatory reset
and intensifying environmental pressures, the upcoming Environmental Forestry 2026 conference is
pivoting away from high-level theory to focus on the immediate,
practical needs of forest managers and planners.
While previous discussions in the sector have centered on the broad
shift toward “applied solutions,” the 2026 event –
taking place 23-24 March in Rotorua – is specifically designed to answer the operational question: “What will you bring back to the office from this event?”
The programme focuses on four strategic pillars currently reshaping the industry landscape:
- Decoding the “Alt-F Reset”: The regulatory landscape is shifting rapidly under the new Government. James Newman (PCE) provides a roadmap of the "Alt-F Reset" report, clarifying how national forestry strategies and compliance will impact operators through 2026.
- Hard Data for Environmental Reporting: Performance transparency is no longer optional. Experts from the Bioeconomy Science Institute will share the "hard science" on soil carbon and forest flows, providing the evidence needed to satisfy rigorous carbon reporting requirements.
- Direct Lessons from the Frontline: Moving beyond generalities, leaders from Aratu Forests, Summit Forests, and Manulife share high-stakes insights on managing transitional forestry, un-harvestable stands, and long-term stream monitoring.
- Efficiency in Protection: As management budgets face increased scrutiny, we introduce new ROI-focused tools—including a dedicated workshop on the Wilding Tree Risk Calculator—to maximize the impact of environmental spend.
Supporting the next generation: FIEA is also pleased to
announce that, with the support of the WIDE Trust,
a limited number of complimentary places are available for forestry
professionals aged under 35. This initiative ensures that the future
workforce is equipped with the latest policy insights and technical
tools. Contact FIEA for further details.
The event is supported by Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand
Forest Service, NZFOA, and a wide range
of technology and research partners.
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Source: FIEA
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