About planted indigenous forest certificates
A planted indigenous forest certificate is a way to prove you planted native (indigenous) trees on land that is not indigenous forest land. This is useful if you want to harvest the trees in the future.
What is an indigenous tree?
Indigenous trees are species that grow naturally in New Zealand, or arrived here without help from humans. Indigenous trees are often called native trees.
What is indigenous forest land?
Indigenous forest land is land wholly or mainly under the cover of indigenous plants and trees.
Harvesting native (indigenous) trees you’ve planted
To harvest and mill the native trees you’ve planted, you’ll need a milling statement. A milling statement lets you legally mill native timber from certain sources, including native trees you plant yourself.
Having a planted indigenous forest certificate is proof you planted the trees on land that wasn’t indigenous forest land at the time of planting.
You do not need a planted indigenous forest certificate to apply for a milling statement, but it will make it easier if you do apply for one.
Learn more about milling statements
When to apply for a planted indigenous forest certificate
You can apply for a certificate at any time, but it is a good idea to do so immediately after planting your trees. This is because this is when it is easiest to prove you planted the trees.
How much does it cost?
It’s free to apply for a planted indigenous forest certificate.
How to apply for a certificate
You will need to prove your land was not indigenous forest land before you planted or prepared to plant.
1. Fill out the application form:
Application for a planted indigenous forest certificate - form [PDF, 208 KB]
2. Provide information to support your application, including:
- evidence you own the land
- an aerial photograph showing your land was not native forest
- a map of the property showing the planted forest or trees
- evidence the trees were planted, for example, quotes or receipts for seedlings
- photographs of the planted forest or trees.
3. Send the form and supporting information to indigenous.forestry@mpi.govt.nz
You can also post the form to either of these addresses:
Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service
Indigenous Forestry Team
Private Bag 4765
Christchurch
8140
Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service
Indigenous Forestry Team
PO Box 1340
Rotorua
3040
What happens after you apply
We will assess your application and visit your site. The site visit is to confirm:
- the trees were planted on land that is not indigenous forest land and,
- the land was not indigenous forest land immediately before planting or preparation for planting began, and
- the trees were planted.
If we accept your application, we’ll send you a certificate. This usually takes between 2 and 4 weeks. In some situations, we will wait to approve a certificate until planted trees have survived in the ground for 12 months.
Who to contact
If you have questions about the information on this page, email indigenous.forestry@mpi.govt.nz
