Forest distribution by region
Looking at the area planted in all species within New Zealand shows us what our priorities are when it comes to the forestry market. There are definite trends in the North and South Island distribution.
What does the data tell us?
Our largest wood supply area is the Central North Island, with 34% of the total forest area. Otago and Southland is our second largest wood supply area closely followed by Northland. The West Coast is our smallest wood supply area.
Most of our plantation forestry is found in the North Island.
After a rapid amount of afforestation across the regions from 1993, our forest estate peaked in 2004. Since then, we have been in a period of steady deforestation.