Rules for harvesting and milling native (indigenous) timber

The Forests Act and native timber

The harvesting, milling and exporting of native timber is managed under the Forests Act 1949. 

Read about the Forests Act 1949

Part 3A of the Forests Act:

• discourages unsustainable harvesting and clearing of private native forests by placing controls on the milling and exporting of native timber
• ensures native forests can be managed sustainably for timber production
• gives owners options for managing their forests to harvest and mill timber.

Part 3A provisions relating to indigenous forests, Forests Act 1949 – NZ legislation

MPI administers the Act. We:

• monitor and audit milling and export activities
• ensure compliance with export and sawmilling controls
• ensure compliance with sustainable forest management provisions
• regularly inspect sawmills
• maintain indigenous forestry statistics.

Under the Forests Act, only registered sawmills can mill native timber. Milled timber must come from a source specified under the Forests Act. This means this timber has been harvested and milled under a sustainable forest management plan or permit, a personal use approval or milling statement. 

Penalties for breaching the Forests Act

It is a serious offence to:

• mill native timber at an unregistered sawmill
• harvest and mill native timber without an approval issued under the Forests Act.

Penalties include fines of up to $200,000 on conviction for breaching these requirements.

Report illegal native tree harvesting, milling, or export

You can report suspicious native tree harvesting, milling, or exporting to MPI.

Report illegal native tree harvesting, milling, or exporting

Email us if you have any questions

indigenous.forestry@mpi.govt.nz