Sustainable forest management permits and plans to mill native timber from a forest

Milling native timber

To harvest and mill native (indigenous) timber, you need approval from MPI. There are 4 types of approvals. This page is about 2 of the types – sustainable forest management (SFM) plans and permits. 

The other 2 types are milling statements and personal use approvals.

Milling statements

Personal use approvals

Reasons you would apply for a SFM plan or permit instead of another type of approval

A SFM plan or permit is an appropriate type of approval in the following circumstances:

• you want to harvest and mill timber from an area of native (indigenous) forest, and
• the trees have naturally grown (you or someone else did not plant them), and
• the trees are alive and still standing, and
• you want to use the timber for personal use or sell it, and
• you can’t harvest and mill the timber under a milling statement.

Milling statements are another type of approval. They apply to timber from specific situations and sources. 

Milling statements

Differences between sustainable forest management plans and permits

Permits and plans both control how harvesting can happen and ensure harvesting of native forests is sustainable. There are some differences between the two.

SFM plans allow you to harvest timber over a long period of time. They take time to prepare, and there are costs involved because you may need to hire a forestry professional to help. 

SFM permits allow you to complete one or 2 harvests in a 10-year period. 

Table: The main differences between sustainable forest management permits and plans

Find out more about SFM plans and permits and how to apply

Sustainable forest management plans

Sustainable forest management permits

Who to contact

If you have questions about the information on this page, email indigenous.forestry@mpi.govt.nz