When you need a milling statement
Milling statements are suitable for when you want to harvest and mill native (indigenous) timber from a certain source, or for a specific situation.
You can apply for a milling statement to harvest or mill timber from:
- standing dead or windthrown trees (the trees must have died or fallen over naturally)
- salvaged timber (for example, logs removed from a river or unearthed from a paddock)
- a planted indigenous forest (a forest where someone has planted the trees)
- a forest registered as permanent forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme at the time of harvest
- timber first milled before 1 July 1993
- tree ferns (conditions apply and we explain these on this page)
- specified Māori land (we explain how to check this on this page)
- land managed by the Crown under the Conservation Act 1987, or any Act listed in Schedule 1 of the Conservation Act 1987.
List of acts in Schedule 1, Conservation Act 1987 – New Zealand Legislation
You can also apply for a milling statement for trees cut down for:
- the construction or maintenance of an accessway or water impoundment (for example, a dam)
- a mining operation
- scientific research
- a public work.
You must apply for a milling statement before any milling can start. Contact us before you cut down or remove any trees.
It’s free to apply for a milling statement.
If you’re not sure whether you need a milling statement or have a question, email indigenous.forestry@mpi.govt.nz
