New Zealand appoints facilitator to resolve Tairāwhiti forestry disputes

New Zealand Forestry Minister Todd McClay has appointed Doug Leeder as a facilitator to address regulatory tensions in the Tairāwhiti forestry sector. Leeder, a former Chair of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, will advise the government on necessary interventions regarding forestry consenting and land-use changes.

The move follows industry concerns regarding the Gisborne District Council’s approach to managing woody debris, sediment, and forestry slash. While the government acknowledges the need for compliance measures, it emphasized that such regulations must be “workable and proportionate” to avoid undermining land transition and investor confidence in the region.

The intervention occurs amidst broader disputes over land management in areas vulnerable to erosion. This follows a recent decision by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop to decline the Gisborne District Council’s application for an exemption related to its Sustainable Land Use Plan Change 7, a move intended to manage erosion-prone land.