Registration of log traders and forestry advisers

About the new registration system

From 6 August 2022, log traders and forestry advisers can apply to register in the new system. They have one year to become registered before it is an offence to practice without registration.

The registration system includes a public register. The register shows the contact details and location of registered log traders and forestry advisers. It may also show their websites, whether they identify as Māori, and iwi affiliations. Forestry adviser listings include their registration category.

Public register of log traders and forestry advisers

Benefits of registration

The system will assure anyone dealing with registered log traders and forestry advisers that they meet the forestry practice standards, and they are receiving expert and impartial advice from forest advisers with the right knowledge and experience.

Registered log traders and forestry advisers have passed a background check, including a criminal conviction check. (This is referred to as “fit and proper person requirements” in the regulations and legislation.) Registered forestry advisers have also given us evidence of their qualifications and experience. Once registered, log traders and forestry advisers have ongoing obligations they must meet.

What registered log traders must do

What registered forestry advisers must do

A new complaints process is being set up for dealing with complaints about registered log traders and forestry advisers.

What is a log trader?

Under the Forests (Log Traders and Forestry Advisers) Amendment Act 2020, a log trader is a person who:

buys logs grown in New Zealand. Logs can be trees already harvested or trees to be harvested at an agreed time; or
exports logs grown in New Zealand; or
processes logs they have grown themselves, or
acts as an agent for another person doing any of those things.

Who needs to register as a log trader

What is a forestry adviser?

Under the Act, a forestry adviser is someone who provides any of these services to a client:

acting on behalf of another person in relation to their sale or purchase of timber or other forest produce
providing advice relating to specific forestry activities
making inspections or preparing reports in connection with another forestry adviser service.

Who needs to register as a forestry adviser

Answer a few questions to see whether you need to register as a forestry adviser:

Find out if you need to register as a forestry adviser - decision tool

Public consultation and decisions on registration regulations

In August 2020, Parliament enacted the Forests (Log Traders and Forestry Advisers) Amendment Act. Under the Act, log traders and forestry advisers must register to operate from 6 August 2022.

Public consultation on the proposed registration system closed on 17 January 2022. Recommendations for final decisions were made to Cabinet. A summary of submissions and analysis was released on 20 June 2022.

Registration for Log Traders and Forestry Advisers – Summary of submissions [PDF, 12 MB]

Find out more about the consultation

Regulations

On 14 March 2022, Cabinet made final policy decisions on the first set of regulations for registration for log traders and forestry advisers. This first set of regulations covers

who is entitled to be registered and how they will be assessed
information to be submitted with applications to register
record keeping and reporting obligations, and
processes for resolving complaints and disputes.

Summary of Cabinet decisions on regulations for log traders and forestry advisers [PDF, 125 KB]

Regulatory Impact Statement: Registration for log traders and Forestry Advisers under the Forests (Regulation of Log Traders and Forestry Advisers) Amendment Act 2020 [PDF, 1.9 MB]

Final policy decisions on regulations for log traders and forestry advisers – Cabinet paper [PDF, 550 KB]

Code of ethics

The code of ethics for registered forestry advisers was made on 15 September 2022. It comes into effect on 17 October 2022. The code guides how forestry advisers conduct themselves and their business.

Forests (Code of Ethics for Registered Forestry Advisers) Rules 2022 – NZ Legislation

Public consultation on the code of ethics for forestry advisers closed on 11 July 2022.

Closed consultation on the code of ethics for registered forestry advisers

Fee and levy waivers

Some fees and levies are waived for some applicants and registered people. These waivers were made under regulations 30 and 43 of the Forests (Regulation of Log Traders and Forestry Advisers) Regulations 2022. The waivers came into effect on 16 November 2022.

Partial waiver of fees and levies for certain classes of applicants for registration as and registered log traders and forestry advisers [PDF, 251 KB]