Growing Native Forests Champions | NZ Government

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Recognising those growing native forests

The Growing Native Forests Champions awards aim to:

celebrate people who are growing native forests
help others learn about the importance of native forests in New Zealand
inspire more people to grow native forests.

Recognition and reward

Award winners in each category will receive:

a trophy and certificate of achievement
tickets to Fieldays in June 2025
funding towards travel and accommodation costs to attend the awards ceremony at Fieldays in June 2025
a chance to say a few words at the awards ceremony
inclusion in the awards collateral, media, and communications programme.

Who can enter?

The awards are open to people and organisations across New Zealand who are growing native forests.

There are 5 award categories. Each category has different criteria.

Read the award terms and conditions

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Trees On Farms

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This category is open to individual farmers who have grown native forests on their farmland.

Entrants to this category will need to show us how they meet at least one of the following criteria:

having a collaborative approach to planting native trees
showing motivation and commitment to growing native forests
showcasing best practice in native forest establishment
using innovation in native forest establishment
sharing ideas and resources with others to help transfer knowledge
encouraging others to grow native forests.

Lifestyle Block Owner

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This category is open to individual lifestyle block owners who have grown native forest on their land. People in this category must have less than 20 hectares of land.

Entrants to this category will need to show us how they meet at least one of the following criteria:

having a collaborative approach to planting native trees
showing motivation and commitment to growing native forests
showcasing best practice in native forest establishment
using innovation in native forest establishment
sharing ideas and resources with others to help transfer knowledge
encouraging others to grow native forests.

Forestry Company

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This category is open to organisations or individuals from the forestry sector.

Entrants to this category will need to show us how they meet at least one of the following criteria:

having a collaborative approach to planting native trees
showing motivation and commitment to growing native forests
showcasing best practice in native forest establishment
supporting biodiversity within exotic forests
using innovation in native forest establishment
sharing ideas and resources with others to help transfer knowledge
encouraging others to grow native forests.

Mana Whenua

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This category is open to individuals, groups, whānau, hapū and iwi.

Entrants to this category will need to show us how they meet at least one of the following criteria:

increasing Māori capability, capacity and involvement in native afforestation
showing motivation and commitment to growing native forests
using innovation in native forest establishment
sharing ideas and resources with others to help transfer knowledge
encouraging others to grow native forests.

Catchment/Community Group

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This category is open to community groups and catchment groups.

Entrants to this category will need to show us how they meet at least one of the following criteria:

effective community engagement to raise awareness, educate and get communities involved in growing native forests
showing motivation and commitment to growing native forests
using innovation in native forest establishment
sharing ideas and resources with others to help transfer knowledge
encouraging others to grow native forests.