Investing in the preservation of New Zealand Radiata pine
Pinepac has a significant investment and commitment to the Radiata Pine industry in New Zealand. We have 3 company forests within a 50kms radius of our processing plants at Kumeu and Whenuapai with a combined gross area of around 1,150ha (2,841 acres) and planted area of over 800ha (2,000 acres). Over 1 million seedlings have been planted in these areas since 1993.
We practice strict nature preservation to conserve this resource for generations to come. Our company policy is to replant forest areas within one year of harvest so beginning another tree crop cycle that will take up to 30 years. For every tree felled at least three saplings are planted and patiently cultivated for three decades before it is deemed suitable to go on the production line.
Typically a Radiata Pine tree is ready for harvest at around 28 to 30 years of age. During its fast-growing lifetime it will have added up to 28 cubic metres per hectare per year of solid wood fibre and absorbed some 800 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Each tree harvested can yield 95% of its average 2.41m3 of volume as recoverable wood fibre.
Introduced to this country in the 1850′s for shelterbelts, today more than 90% of New Zealand’s plantation forests are of this versatile species. Pinepac intends to continue toward self-sufficiency in growing Radiata Pine for the Whenuapai sawmill and Kumeu post and pole plant.
Araparera Forest
This block of 168ha (415 acres) was part-planted by the Barr family between 1961 and 1972. Neil Barr was generally regarded as the father of farm forestry in New Zealand and here he planted Radiata Pine, Macrocarpa, Kowhai, Sydney Blue Gum and Southern Mahogany among other tree species.
Araparera also holds original stands of native trees with some excellent specimens of Rimu, Nikau, Totara and Puriri. These natives are protected within the pine plantation. As are the two Maori Pa areas, designated historical sites.
Pinepac has carried out an intensive silviculture programme and replanted GF17 and GF19 Radiata Pine at Araparera. Approximately three-quarters of the block is now planted in this sustainable resource.
Ahuroa Forest
Purchased in 1991 from the Rural Bank and previously owned by North Auckland Forests, this block of 133ha (328 acres) on the West Coast Road off State Highway 16 is completely planted in Radiata Pine. Planting first began in 1974 and was completed in 1976 and has been extensively managed ever since. Most age classes here are pruned to 5.4 metres tall.
Waioneke Forest Farm
Situated at Waioneke on the South Head Peninsula of the Kaipara Harbour this block was purchased by Pinepac in 1993. 570ha (1,408 acres) of the total 849ha (2,100 acres) are planted in Radiata Pine.
Harvesting
We use chainsaws for most harvesting operations, however there is some mechanical harvesting of small trees for pulpwood and sawlogs where terrain permits. Rubber-tyred skidders and loaders are used to haul and load logs for our processing plants.