The Conversation: Will NZ’s new forestry rules increase environmental risk?

OpinionOpinion bySteve UrlichOther·5 Jun, 2026 12:08 AM5 mins to readSenior Lecturer in Environmental Management, Lincoln University, New ZealandForestry needs a regulatory framework that provides certainty for long-term investment and operational decisions.

Photo / Alan GibsonTHE FACTSThe Government has released its amended National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry.Commercial forestry is one of New Zealand’s most valuable industries.Commercial forestry can also have significant impacts on waterways, infrastructure, ecosystems and downstream communities if activities are not carefully managed.One of the most important changes to New Zealand’s environmental regulations in recent years came into force this week.Yet outside policy circles, the forestry sector and a handful of councils, few people are likely to have noticed.

The Government’s freshly amended National Environmental

set bottom-line rules for activities ranging from afforestation and harvesting to slash management and erosion control.