Slash inquiry announced

But only includes Wairoa in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti/Gisborne.

Many are questioning why Labour’s forestry slash inquiry does not include large parts of Hawke’s Bay where much of the destruction was caused. 

National’s Tukituki National Party Candidate Catherine Wedd is questioning the geographical scope of the inquiry which was announced in Hastings by the Prime Minister and Forestry Minister, Stuart Nash, but excludes large parts of Hawke’s Bay where the destruction occurred.

“Our region is emotionally devastated and to see the scale of forestry slash left lying in piles across Hawke’s Bay has emotions running high. The forestry slash we are seeing swept up across Hawke’s Bay beaches land and orchards, is unacceptable.”

Wedd has been out with dozens of families this week who have had their properties and livelihoods destroyed by flooding and compounded by slash. 

One family she spoke to was on the roof of their house with raging water all around them and forestry slash coming at them in all directions. 

“It was so terrifying for them. It’s evident when you look around that it’s not just the power of water causing destruction but the power of this forestry slash.” 

She said it was now impossible to ignore the compounding role forestry slash has played in the destruction of our region and that it was evident when looking around that it’s not just the power of water causing destruction but the power of this forestry slash.

“It’s like a war zone across Hawke’s Bay and everyone I am talking to is fed up. They are extremely emotional and they want answers and some type of accountability.

“Hawke’s Bay where some of severest destruction has been suffered in Eskdale, Puketapu, Dartmoor and Fernhill should be part of the inquiry,” Wedd said.

Two reviews had been held previously that should have led to action, she said.

The Ministerial inquiry, announced on Thursday by Nash and Environment Minister David Parker, will look at the damage caused by woody debris, including forestry slash, and sediment-related damage was limited to Tairāwhiti/Gisborne and Wairoa.

The inquiry panel members are former government minister and Gisborne resident Hon Hekia Parata (Chair), former regional council chief executive Bill Bayfield, and forestry engineer Matthew McCloy.

The two month inquiry will investigate past and current land-use practices and the impact of woody debris including forestry slash and sediment on communities, livestock, buildings and the environment. It will also look at associated economic drivers and constraints. 

The Government expects the panel will make recommendations to improve land use including changes needed to practices and regulation at central and local government levels. This can include consideration of forestry practices, Resource Management Act plans and National Direction. For example, the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry and the Tairāwhiti and Wairoa District Resource Management Plans. 

Nash said that woody debris and sediment were a particular issues for those communities after storms, and that petition to address this had been signed by more than 10,000 people and the inquiry was responding to those concerns.

As well as the inquiry, a National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry, which will set out the regulations that govern what must happen for forestry harvesting, had been put out for consultation and was waiting on a late submission due Cyclone Hale. 

Wedd said National welcomed a prompt inquiry with recommendations which would be acted upon swiftly.

Forestry was an important industry and supported many families across Hawke’s Bay and the East Coast but there was an acute need to look at practises and at whether penalties were required, she said

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.