Milling native timber
To harvest and mill native (indigenous) timber, you need approval from MPI. There are 4 types of approval. This page is about sustainable forest management (SFM) permits.
Sustainable forest management permit or plan?
Sustainable forest management plans are similar to permits. The main difference is that plans last longer, and you can harvest more over time. Plans are also more complicated to make and generally last for at least 50 years.
Sustainable forest management permits are less complicated, and last for 10 years.
If you want to harvest more timber, or harvest over a longer period, a sustainable forest management plan may be more suitable.
Learn about the differences between sustainable forest management plans and permits
Sustainable forest management permits let you harvest a capped volume of timber, from a native (indigenous) forest, over 10 years. Any harvesting must be sustainable and have the smallest possible effect on the forest’s ecology.
What is an indigenous forest?
Indigenous trees are species that grow naturally in New Zealand, or arrived here without help from humans. Indigenous trees are often called native trees.
Reasons why you would apply for a SFM permit instead of another type of approval
A sustainable forest management permit is an appropriate type of approval in the following circumstances:
- you want to harvest and mill timber from an area of native forest land, and
- the forest is natural (you or someone else did not plant the trees), and
- the trees are alive and still standing, and
- you want to use the timber for personal use or sell it, and
- you only need approval for the next 10 years, and
- you can’t harvest and mill the timber under a milling statement.
A permit lasts for 10 years.
If you’re not sure if you need a sustainable forest management permit, email our team for help: indigenous.forestry@mpi.govt.nz
Have the trees died or fallen down naturally?
If you want to mill trees that have died or fallen over naturally, a milling statement may be more suitable. Milling statements are suitable for timber from certain sources and situations, for example windthrown trees.
Milling statements are easier to apply for and offer a shorter-term approval to mill the timber.
Read about milling statements and the categories of timber they apply to
When to apply
You must apply for a sustainable forest management permit and send us an annual logging plan before harvesting your forest.
How much can you harvest?
There are 2 options to work out how much you can harvest. Use the option that results in the smaller volume of harvest.
Option 1:
- 250 cubic metres of podocarp, kauri or shade tolerant, exposure-sensitive, broadleaved hardwood species, and
- 500 cubic metres of beech or other light-demanding hardwood species
Option 2:
- 10% of the standing roundwood volume of timber by species.
Standing roundwood volume is the amount of timber in a forest that is still standing.
Examples:
For kauri trees, it's either up to 250 cubic metres or 10% of the stand - whichever is less.
For beech trees, it’s either up to 500 cubic metres or 10% of the stand - whichever is less.
For a mixed stand of rimu and beech, you can harvest:
- up to 250 cubic metres or 10% of the rimu, and
- up to 500 cubic metres or 10% of the beech.
Our guide has more information about sustainable forest management.
Standards and guidelines for the sustainable management of indigenous forests [PDF, 3.1 MB]
If you have any questions, you can contact our team by emailing indigenous.forestry@mpi.govt.nz
How much does the permit cost?
It’s free to apply for a sustainable forest management permit.
How to apply
Fill out the application form and send it to us with any supporting information, including:
- a map of your property
- the estimated standing volume.
Sustainable forest management permit application form [DOCX, 61 KB]
Email your application to: indigenous.forestry@mpi.govt.nz
You can also send the form and supporting information to either of the following 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
If you have any questions, you can contact our team by emailing indigenous.forestry@mpi.govt.nz
After you apply
It can take up to 3 months to process your application after we receive it.
When we get your application, we will:
- visit your site to confirm your application details
- consult with the Department of Conservation on any conservational impacts and recommendations
- consult with Te Puni Kokiri if the land is specified Māori land.
If we approve your application, we will issue you a permit.
Before you harvest your forest
If we approve your permit, we will issue you a registration certificate. You must register this against your certificate of title. You have 18 months to do this with Land Information New Zealand otherwise the permit expires.
You will need a lawyer to register your sustainable forest management permit against your certificate of title.
Send us an annual logging plan
When your SFM permit is registered, you will need to send us an annual logging plan before harvesting. You cannot legally harvest until we approve your annual logging plan. You need to send us an annual logging plan for each year you want to harvest.
Check if you need resource consent
A sustainable forest management permit does not exempt you from other conditions in the Resource Management Act or relevant regional or district plans. Check with your regional or district council to see if you need resource consent.
Find your local council contact details – Local Government website
After harvesting your forest
We will inspect your land during and after the harvest to confirm you met the permit conditions.
After 10 years, your permit will expire and will be removed from your certificate of title. If you want to harvest the block again, you must send us a new permit for approval. We cannot issue a new permit until the forest has regrown the volume of timber you harvested.
Who to contact
If you have questions about the information on this page, email indigenous.forestry@mpi.govt.nz
