Fieldays® Forestry Hub
Engaging experiences, educational sessions, job opportunities and more.
Location: Site G80
Discover engaging experiences on forestry growing, climate change, wood products, timber construction, biosecurity and biodiversity.
Your place to grow
The Hub is a collaboration between Fieldays, Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service and the forestry and wood processing sector.
The Hub is your place to learn about forestry in New Zealand.
Learn about forestry and wood processing
The Hub is a dedicated space where visitors can follow the forestry lifecycle story exploring the many facets of the forestry and wood processing sector – from seedling to tree, showcasing nursery technology, innovative engineered timber used in midrise buildings, to pharmaceuticals, bioenergy and more.
Full details of the exhibitors can be found on the Fieldays App.
Engagement sessions
Several engagement sessions and talks are held daily during the event and are popular with all ages.
Engagement sessions - Wednesday 11 June
| Wednesday | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30am to 9:45am | Opportunities for forestry and primary industries with gene technologies | Alec Foster, Impact Area General Manager, Scion |
| 10:00am to 10:15am | Industrial residues to industry revenues | Phil Stevens, Biochar Network NZ |
| 11:00am to 11:15am | New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science | Florian Graichen, Chief Operating officer, Scion |
| 11:45am to 12:00pm | The science and applications of BioChar | Dr John McDonald-Wharry, Biochar Network NZ |
| 2:00pm to 2:15pm | Turning Forestry Slash into BioChar for Animals and Soil Amendment | Andrew Finlayson, Biochar Network NZ |
| 2:30pm to 3:00pm | The real economic potential in slash | Raymond Dobbe, Biochar Network NZ |
Engagement sessions - Thursday 12 June
| Thursday | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30am to 9:45am | Climate smart forestry meets climate smart agriculture | Peter Clinton, Principal Scientist, Scion |
| 10:00am to 10:15am | Properly treated radiata pine built to last | Diahanna O'Callahan, Scientist, Scion |
| 10:30am to 10:45am | Climate action for rural resilience | Betsy Kettle, BioChar Network New Zealand |
| 11:00am to 11:15am | Radiata Pine Moment – but for natives | Simeon Smaill, Portfolio Leader, Scion |
| 1:00pm to 2:00pm | Growing Native Forest Champions Awards | Join us as we celebrate the people and projects making a real difference across Aotearoa New Zealand through native forest restoration. |
| 2:30pm to 3:30pm | Food and Fibre Workforce Capability Strategy | The government’s Going for Growth agenda and goal to double export value by 2034 relies heavily on the food and fibre sector. Developing a skilled, adaptable workforce with the right training is central to “going for growth”. Food and fibre CEs want to support the food and fibre sector in preparing a capability strategy for the food and fibre sector. Have your say on 12 possible actions to shape the future of your industry and workforce. |
Engagement sessions - Friday 13 June
| Friday | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9:15am to 10:00am | Update on the Government’s work programme for the forestry and wood processing sector | |
| 10:30am to 10:45am | The Bioeconomy in the Forest: Transforming Trees into tomorrow’s products | Marc Gaugler, Portfolio Leader, Scion |
| 11:00am to 12:00pm | Food and Fibre Workforce Capability Strategy | The government’s Going for Growth agenda and goal to double export value by 2034 relies heavily on the food and fibre sector. Developing a skilled, adaptable workforce with the right training is central to “going for growth”. Food and fibre CEs want to support the food and fibre sector in preparing a capability strategy for the food and fibre sector. Have your say on 12 possible actions to shape the future of your industry and workforce. |
| 12:30pm to 1:30pm | Panel Discussion: The status of BioChar in New Zealand | Biochar has a long and storied R&D history in NZ but local production and the marketing of its many applications has only just started... NZ is far behind on current world best practice. BNNZ is on a mission to help farmers, foresters and communities catch up. NZ is also weak on biochar policy direction and government support. BNNZ has drawn on NZ biochar advocates & experts for a wide-ranging discussion on the status of the nascent industry, its potential impacts in NZ and what is needed to move forward. |
| 2:00pm to 2:15pm | BioChar in the Community | John Wraight, Biochar Network NZ |
“Our forests generate important economic income for the regions, support biodiversity and help in mitigating the effects of climate change. At Fieldays, we’re excited to show how planting trees — whether native or commercial — can strengthen farms, landscapes and local economies,” says Anna Gordon, TUR-NZFS Forest Service Director Forestry Engagement and Advice.
Farm Forestry Association President, Peter Davies-Colley, says FFA strongly supports the Fieldays Forestry Hub and has been heavily engaged in its design and development. The farm forestry section of the hub has experts and practical information available on multiple plantation species, with a focus on Redwoods, Eucalypts, Cypresses, Poplar and Willow, and Radiata pine.
Careers and job opportunities for all ages
Hub spokesperson Anna Gordon says that the multi-billion-dollar forestry sector is a major employer in New Zealand, employing over 35,000 people in both year-round and seasonal jobs.
"People of all ages and abilities can find great careers in this sector - from planting and managing native forests and looking after the forest environment, to managing people and resources and working with state-of-the-art technology," says Peter Davies-Colley .
Fieldays Channels, From the Field | 2022
Kids Grow a Tree campaign
Cheree visits the Forestry Hub where young Fieldays visitors can pick up a gift for life! Graham West, National President of NZ Farm Forestry Assn
“We’re so lucky to have these companies and organisations here to showcase how an interest in forestry can become a career.”
Steve Chappell, Programme Manager
“ The hub is all about sharing information, so that forestry is better understood and those farmers that want to can be better informed before investing. „
Fieldays Forestry Hub FAQs
Discover engaging experiences on forestry growing, climate change, wood products, timber construction, biosecurity and biodiversity at the Fieldays Forestry Hub. On the Fieldays App map, search Forestry Hub, and select 'Directions' or follow signage at the event.
The Fieldays App makes it easier and faster to plan your trip and to navigate your way around.
Download free from the App Store or Google Play.
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