‘A Testament to Co-operation’

Te Ao Hou, 1970, Page 47

‘A Testament to Co-operation’ ‘From the trees planted here will rise Lake Taupo Forest, unique because it is the first fully-planned and amenity forest, and a remarkable testament to co-operation between the Forest Service and Ngati Tuwharetoa,’ said the Minister of Lands, Mr Duncan MacIntyre, at a meeting of the tribe at Korohe Pa at the ceremonial opening of the forest. The forest is to be established on 70,000 acres of East Taupo land which has been leased from the tribal owners by the crown. The 70,000 acres of Lake Taupo Forest, which is to be established by the New Zealand Forest Service on Maori land leased by the Crown, is represented by the diagonally-shaded area at centre of the map

‘The lease is a partnership,’ said Mr MacIntyre. ‘On the one hand is the Forest Service, which provides the expertise and the finance. On the other are the Maori owners, on whose land the forest is being planted. By their co-operation a forest will be established which will enhance the beauty of the lake, provide revenue for the forest owners and private employment for the district. ‘In this forest, productivity, profitability and the beauty of the landscape are being deliberately planned. Some 4,500 acres are to be planted in decorative species. Douglas fir and larch will be used for most of the amenity planting, but where recreational use is likely to be high, groups of deciduous and evergreen broadleaf trees such as oaks, ash, poplar and eucalyptus will be used. ‘Behind this attractive front will lie the heart of the forest, more than 60,000 acres of radiata pine and Douglas fir — the most prolific and profitable exotics grown in New Zealand. This year, planting will be about 1,000 acres. Then the rate will rise to about 4,000 acres a year until the forest is fully established in 1985.’ Mr A. L. Poole, Director-General of Forests, gave an address giving details of the development, management, and the terms of the lease. He described the planting, ground preparation, pruning, and the building of roads and grassed fire breaks — these to be used for the grazing of sheep, another unusual feature. He said that during the period of the lease full encouragement would be given to young lads to go through the various training courses run by the Forest Service, and the trustees had already discussed setting money aside for a scholarship. At first the planting would be done from Kaingaroa, but he envisaged the establishment of a nursery and administrative head-quarters in the Turangi district — a move that would create work and provide more employment in the district.