O Tātou Ngahere ‒ Our Forest

Project Status: Current

O Tātou Ngahere – Our Forest, is a comprehensive programme of research that details how native forests can be integrated into our whenua for the benefit of all.

The project is a collaboration between Pure Advantage and the foresters and scientists of Tāne’s Tree Trust, who champion the valuable role our native species can play in the future of forestry in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our aim is to firmly embed the myriad benefits of native forests into New Zealanders’ thoughts and actions and in the process improve our natural ecosystems and landscapes, contribute to rural economies, and help Aotearoa New Zealand play its part in mitigating climate change.

Together we have convened this suite of essays from some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s foremost thinkers and practitioners in areas related to native forests as the first stage of this campaign. The cumulative knowledge and expertise that underpins these 37 contributions is formidable. We thank all our authors for their input.

The campaign launch has been marked with the premiere of an inspirational documentary set on Cassie’s Farm in the Waikato featuring many of the trustees of Tāne’s Tree Trust.

View the documentary here now.

Carbon Sequestration by Native Forest

In November 2021, Pure Advantage and Tānes Tree Trust added an additional layer to the discourse for more native forest, with new research for the O Tātou Ngāhere programme of work; Carbon Sequestration by Native Forest – Setting the Record Straight.

In a first for research of this type about planted native forest, the paper confirms that while radiata pine is faster growing, the carbon sequestration difference between radiata pine and well-managed planted native forest is closer than previously thought, and that native reforestation and regeneration brings extensive benefits to New Zealand’s climate and ecosystem over time.

Read or download the full paper here.

Webisodes

Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Vincent Heeringa in 2021, the recordings can be found on the links below.

Webisode #1 - Apr 13: The Pure Advantages of Native Forests: why our forests matter so much for us and for the world
Webisode #2 - Apr 20: The Native Forest Opportunity: finding land for new native forests
Webisode #3 - Apr 27: How to Grow a Forest: creating new native forests through transitioning, planting and regenerating, and sustainable forest management
Webisode #4 - May 4: The Many Benefits of Native Forests: recognising and valuing the non-timber values of native forests
Webisode #5 - May 11: The Carbon Sink: the role of native forests in meeting our net-zero emissions target
Webisode #6 - May 18: Making it Happen: the policies and incentives needed to stimulate and maintain an increase in the area of native forests in perpetuity
Webisode #7 - May 25: Envisioning the Future: the place of New Zealand’s native forests in 2050 and 2500