Kauri policy ‘falls short’ of expectations

Press, 18 April 1985, Page 27

Kauri policy ‘falls short’ of expectations

The Joint Campaign on Native Forests believes the new policy for State kauri forests falls short of public expectations. The policy was announced by the Minister of Forests, Mr Wetere, after consideration of 776 public submissions on the matter. The joint campaign s director, Mr Guy Salmon, said the biggest issue raised in public submissions was the need for sanctuary or national reserve protection for Puketi State forest. This was also promised in the Labour Party’s election policy, but there was no specific mention of it in the policy announcement by Mr Wetere.

Mr Salmon said a deputation from the joint campaign had met the DirectorGeneral of Forests, Mr Andrew Kirkland, just be-

fore Easter to discuss points of concern about the draft policy on kauri. “Each of the points we raised with Mr Kirkland has been ignored in the subsequent policy announcement. “The Forest Service has missed an important opportunity to show that it is sincerely able to respond to public concern.” The new policy provided for continued felling of second-growth kauri stems as well as limited use of mature kauri, Mr Salmon said.

This emphasised the importance of a firm Government commitment to creating sanctuaries at Puketi and in other selected locations.

The policy was not satisfactory on its own and renewed submissions would be made to the Government, he said.