A cross-section of New Zealand’s largest retailers, manufacturers, and supply chain influencers gathered at Woodhill Forest this week to witness responsible forestry in action. Located 50 kilometres northwest of Auckland, the forest hosted the country’s first FSC Forest Walk—bringing together representatives from Mitre 10, The Warehouse, Bunnings NZ, NXP, Woolworths Group (Countdown), and the New Zealand Green Building Council, alongside dozens of FSC certificate holders.
Hosted by FSC-certified forest managers Manulife Investment Management and Matariki Forests, who, in partnership with landowners Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, the walk offered a rare opportunity to see forest certification applied on the ground—demonstrating how FSC standards safeguard biodiversity, uphold Indigenous rights and cultural values, support workers and communities, and deliver certified timber to both domestic and international markets.
According to FSC ANZ, the day began with a pōwhiri led by Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, featuring waiata and shared kai—an expression of manaakitanga, the Māori value of hospitality and care. Malcolm Paterson, Chief Executive of Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, welcomed guests and reflected on the forest’s history and cultural significance.
“Under Crown ownership, Woodhill Forest was established to stabilise the vast drifting sand dunes which were encroaching on agricultural land, with planting beginning in the 1930s continuing through to the 1980s,” Paterson said. “Following the 2013 Treaty of Waitangi settlement, the land was returned to Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, who retain ownership today and have partnered with Manulife Investment Management and Matariki Forests to manage the plantations.”
Woodhill Forest is managed as a multi-use landscape, where commercial forestry coexists with recreation and community access. Attendees visited Tree Adventures and Woodhill Mountain Bike Park, where forest managers outlined how they balance public use with operational safety and stakeholder engagement. The forest’s dramatic scenery has also featured in major productions, including The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
“It was a fantastic experience to learn about the history of the forest block and how it’s managed, and to see FSC principles in action,” said Simon Rice, Product Risk and Compliance Coordinator at Bunnings NZ. “It was also great to see how the forest is open to other commercial ventures, and how the forest management company works collaboratively with each entity to ensure the forest flourishes as a shared resource. That level of coordination was really impressive and added another layer of insight to the day.”
The group also visited a coastal restoration site, where a protective buffer of trees shields the forest from salt-laden winds. Forest managers explained how the area is maintained to preserve High Conservation Values, with a focus on environmental resilience and cultural heritage. The walk concluded at an active harvesting site, where attendees observed a harvester in operation and spoke with contractors from a multigenerational family-run business.
Editor’s note: This article was provided to Wood Central in the lead-up to FSC Forest Week (20–26 September). For more information about FSC certification, visit the FSC website.
