If you want a Land Use Capability (LUC) class 6 land permit to apply to register restricted land in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), you can enter the ballot. This page explains how to apply to enter the ballot.
There are 2 ballots per calendar year for permits to apply to register exotic forest on restricted Land Use Capability (LUC) class 6 land in the ETS.
The first ballot of 2026 opened on 19 June. It closes on 22 July.
We will confirm the date of the second ballot when it has been decided.
Media release: First ETS ballot opens for exotic forestry on marginal land
You can enter a ballot to get a permit to apply to register exotic forest on restricted Land Use Capability (LUC) class 6 land in the ETS. This permit is not available for LUC class 1 to 5 land and it cannot be used to register forest land on LUC class 1 to 5 land.
See the link below for other options to register restricted forest land in the ETS.
Find out about land that is restricted from entering the ETS
There is no fee to enter the ballot in 2026.
Find out about the ballot and the rules for entering
You can apply to enter the ballot if:
If your land is not restricted, you do not need a permit to apply to register land in the ETS.
Post-1989 forest land that is not restricted from entering the ETS
The permit will be issued to the person who enters the ballot and can only be used by them to register in the ETS. Permits are not transferable.
Before you start, make sure you have:
For the land titles, you only need the title identifier. This is a combination of letters or numbers, or both, for example WN123/456.
Find out more about information held in a record of title – Land Information New Zealand
You may also need:
You’ll need an account in Tupu-ake. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to set up all of the following:
RealMe – New Zealand Government
The Tupu-ake user guide explains how to set up your accounts, and how to apply to enter the ballot from your party account.
The sections of the guide you’ll need are:
User guide for Tupu-ake [PDF, 14 MB]
The ballot will only be visible in Tupu-ake when it is open.
To use the permit, the legal name in the Tupu-ake party account you are using for your ballot application will need to match the legal name of the person or entity who will apply to register land in the ETS.
If you already have a Tupu-ake party account, you can open a new account to submit your application if needed.
The permit can only be used by the person or persons whose names are on the permit.
Person A, person B, and person C jointly own a block of land. They all plan to register this land in the ETS later on.
Because all 3 of them plan to be the ETS applicants, the ballot application must list all 3 owners. It cannot be under one person or 2 people only, because all 3 people plan to register the land later.
Anyone can apply for a permit as long as they have consent from the landowner.
If you are not the landowner, or you are one of multiple landowners, you’ll need written landowner consent to enter the ballot. The consent form you need depends on your situation. We explain these below.
Upload consent forms in the ‘documents’ section of the ballot application page in Tupu-ake.
If you are not the landowner, you will need a Landowner consent form. If there is more than one landowner, you need consent from each landowner.
If successful, the ballot applicant will apply to register in the ETS in his or her name only. This means any permit will be issued to, and only usable by, the ballot applicant.
Landowner consent form [PDF, 248 KB]
If you are a joint applicant, you will need to upload a Joint applicants consent form.
A joint applicant is when multiple landowners want to apply to enter the ballot. If successful, this same group of people will apply to register in the ETS.
Joint applicants consent form [PDF, 253 KB]
Representatives acting on a client’s behalf will need to upload an Appoint a representative form.
Appoint a representative [PDF, 302 KB]
Find out about appointing a representative to manage your ETS tasks
We need consent from all members of the unincorporated body. To do this, you will need to upload a Joint applicants consent form.
You can use more than one form if you need to get more than 2 signatures.
As part of the ballot application, we will ask you what method you used to identify and calculate the total area of LUC class 6 land.
This must be either:
If you are using a property-scale assessment, you will need to upload a supporting statement.
Property scale map – supporting statement [PDF, 204 KB]
Learn more about the methods to identify the LUC class of your land
Upload the supporting statement in the ‘documents’ section of the ballot application page in Tupu-ake.
After you submit your application:
We will send you an email to confirm whether your application is eligible or not.
After the ballot is drawn, you will get an email telling you whether you have been issued a permit.
If you get a permit in the ballot, you’ll need to provide your permit details as part of your application to register in the ETS.
Subscribe to the Forestry ETS Alert
Email ForestryETS@mpi.govt.nz
Freephone 0800 CLIMATE (0800 254 628) and select option 1.
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