NZ Election 2026: What forest growers need

NZ Election 2026: What forest growers need

Friday 6 Mar 2026

As New Zealand moves towards the 2026 General Election, the New Zealand Forest Owners Association has consolidated a clear set of priorities it believes any incoming government should consider to support the stability and productivity of forest growers.

As an industry body advocating on behalf of its members – commercial forest owners – our role is not to endorse political parties but to ensure that whoever forms the next Government understands the long-term policy settings required for investment certainty, regional employment and environmental performance.

Our 2026 Policy Priorities span three focus areas – people, environment and trade – shaped by member feedback and the current pressures and opportunities facing the sector.

People: Workforce development, safety and training

There are approximately 40,000 people working across the forestry supply chain, at least 8000 of those in forestry. New Zealand's professional foresters and the workers that support them are a top priority for the forest industry.

With the future of forestry relying heavily on a skilled and safe workforce, NZFOA’s 2026 policy priorities include:

A public–private partnership for vocational education, ensuring sustainable funding for training and strengthening pathways into forestry careers, as led by the joint Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) and NZFOA Forestry Training committee.
Supporting the actions called for by the Food and Fibre Capability Strategy, including better support for the establishment of pathways for regional provision of workplace-based learning for forestry in particular.
Continued investment in the Forest Industry Safety Council (FISC) and support for specialised training programmes such as registered fellers, which enhance capability in high‑risk roles.

These measures aim to improve workforce resilience, attract new talent , and keep people safe in one of New Zealand’s most important primary industries.

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Source: New Zealand Forest Owners Association
Image: Elizabeth Heeg, Chief Executive, NZFOA

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