Auckland - 7 & 8 March - Conference set to increase Maori potential in forestry

Jan 31 09:34 NZDT

From: Iris Pahau <email obscured>]
Sent: Tuesday, 31 January 2012 8:32 a.m.
To: 'Media Alerts'
Subject: Conference set to increase Maori potential in forestry

The Futures Forestry Finance Conference has been touted as the most
important event of the year for Maori in forestry.

"The opportunity for Maori trustees to learn from international forestry
market experts and to get alongside senior managers from other forest
producers and financiers only comes around once every two years, " says FIEA
director John Stulen.

The Forestry Industry Engineering Association has specifically focused on
accommodating for Maori authorities and businesses to connect with key
industry leaders at their upcoming conference in March from the 7th to 8th
at the Crowne Plaza in Auckland.

"We've had excellent feedback from trustees attending previous conferences
in this series. So we've responded by adding more sessions of direct
relevance to increasing Maori participation in forest management and the
business outcomes as a result.  Aside from hearing the speeches, trustees
can gain a lot from the networking with these senior managers in the
business."

Jacob Kajavala (Ngati Ruapani, Tuhoe, Ngati Kahungunu), one of the keynote
speakers, says the conference couldn't have come at a better time given the
imminent possibilities for Maori to capitalize on the industry's growth.
Jacob says their participation is key to NZ's forestry future.

"The values we hold as Maori make us ideal partners to the NZ forest
industry. The long term view of our people and our land is perfectly aligned
with the long term nature of forest investment."

The current climate supports the need for Maori forestry networks to connect
with key players. Statistics show that whilst Maori own an increasing
portion of forestry lands, there is a real need to address the lack of
interest in forestry production and management.

"The gap that is yet to be effectively addressed is one of clear, cohesive &
courageous direction. We have all the skills from frontline operations
through to strategic, financial and business leadership. Our challenge is to
create a crisp, nimble and focused body that will direct and unify our
strategies."

For more information and to register for the conference go to the event
website www.ForestryfinanceEvents.com

All media enquiries contact Marisa Balle 021 880 527 or email
<email obscured>