Funding for research to improve New Zealand’s native seedling production will boost survivability and create more
efficient ways to produce high-quality seedlings, Forestry Minister Shane Jones said.
The One Billion Trees Programme is providing a funding boost of $422,500 for research – led by Scion in partnership with
other Bay of Plenty organisations – to identify more effective native seedling propagation techniques and technology.
“The One Billion Trees Fund we launched last year isn’t just about seeing trees in the ground,” Shane Jones said.
“We have a significant amount of money available for partnerships like this that focus on reducing the barriers to tree
planting through research, innovation or sector development. This project ticks all of those boxes.
“The aim is to understand what is and isn’t working and address those key issues including seedling survivability and
how to create more efficient ways to produce good quality native seedlings.
“There’s also the potential to see a more environmentally friendly approach to seedling production through the use of
paper wrap instead of the usual plastic wrap – reducing waste in the industry.
“What’s important about this partnership is that it goes beyond just theory. Scion’s aim is to ensure their research
into improving native seedling propagation is scalable and available to the industry at large,” Shane Jones said.
Scion Chief Executive Dr Julian Elder said research of this kind underpins the Government’s investment in native
forestry.
“This funding boost will accelerate the planting of native trees through improved and cost-effective propagation
technologies. Our unique nursery research facilities combined with our other research capabilities in bioproducts allows
us to pursue a more sustainable approach for New Zealand.”