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Action: Let Thomas know if you would like an invite to the Wildfire Presentation
(Midnight on Weds – ecologist talking about latest research)
Fed Farmers
Update on Angela Johnson (fire related matters – policy)
Advised there is a great interest in carbon forestry however some tension
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with FoA on this as farmers want to keep good farmland being farmed.
Forestry land on the borders of members farms was another issue as farmers
want to make sure forests are managed well and are interested in forestry
breaks as a result.
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FENZ (Tim)
Carbon Forestry Research has hit another hurdle with the UoC student
having left, however as SCION now have a new researcher we are working
with them to see if they have capacity.
The work on power lines and the cause of fires is progressing, a deep dive
will scheduled for this forum at the next meeting.
Provided annual wildfire summary
Kerry Gregory has been made the CEO and Brendan Nally now acting in the
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SD National Commander/DCE role
MPI
TuR is currently undergoing restructure and Oliver will be focused on the
ETS, a new director (Forestry Systems Director) who will be introduced to
NLMF will be starting soon.
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DOC
Advised DOC is currently in ‘realignment’
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New DG aiming to have T1-3 in place by October
Mike Slater is retiring at the end of the June and the role will look different
National Op’s and Regions reporting to one
Land tenure will move into one group and Ben is still working in this space.
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Forestry Owners Association
Checked with Farmers if they have seen the carbon forestry position
statement (attached) - This will show alignment but also tension.
Discussed Fire Committee & finishing stages of developing a ToR.
Representation in a few of the working groups and another projects
(deployments)
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Service Level Agreements between FoA and FENZ to finalize rates work is
underway.
Action Item
1. Everyone to let Thomas (LINZ) know if you would like an invite to the Wildfire
Presentation on Wednesday.
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Item 2 – Wildfire Safer Guide Launch
Val provided a high-level update on the background of the Safer Building Design Project and
shown a snapshot of the Wildfire Safer Housing Guide. She advised where they are currently at
with this project, how it is progressing and next steps (project due to close on 31st August).
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Val gave a brief update on the Firebreaking policy and Wildfire Threat Analysis. Advised WTA is
out of date and team are seeking better information to improve and update. Aiming to
provide refined and accurate version of WTA procedure and map to more accurately identify fire
risk.
Item 3 – Wilding Conifer Programme
Ben from DOC Introduced Sherman Smith, Manager of Wilding Conifer Programme at MPI.
Sherman gave a high-level overview on the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme advising
they manage weeding in NZ, tree level, water flows, productive land, and fire hazards. Sherman
discussed how the national Programme provides across NZ including programme structure,
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partner scheme, changes around COVID, progression in 2021-2022 and projected status 2030.
Presentation attached.
Item 4 – General Business and Karakia to close
Roxanne advised Susan Secker will replace Oliver Hendrickson going forward and closed the
meeting with Karakia.
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Action Item
Forward agenda item: Susan Secker to introduce herself and provide an overview of the TuR
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changes.
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Item 3 – Organisation updates
DOC:
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Currency training completed and well received
New DOC recruits to build firefighting capability
Evolving discussing around site-based fire plans
Firebreak policy discussion document distributed
NZ FOA:
A survey quantifying the investment made in fire risk management by forest companies
and identifying the resources (personnel and equipment) available from within forest
company resources. A full version of the report will be circulated once complete.
The National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry NES-PF is currently out for
consultation in four key areas, one of which is “Improve wildfire management in all
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plantations and exotic carbon forests”. Forum members may have an interest in their
own submissions in this area.
Submitted on the Forest and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan
LINZ:
Firebreak policy discussion document well received and circulated internally
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New legislation is set to be released on 17th November
FENZ:
Start of Wildfire season
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National Campaign & Seasonal Outlook (out 21st October)
Carbon forestry research project underway
Rachael Thorp joined the team as Wildfire Specialist
FED Farm:
Change of rep for Fed Farmers – Sandra Faulkner
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Item 3 – Collective Action Model
Adrian Nacey who is the FENZ Community Education Manager (CRR team) joined the meeting to
provide an update on the collective action model. Feedback given to Adrian was that the project
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looks to have value and to summarise how each piece of work links together and to think about
the most effective method of delivery to keep the team informed.
Presentation attached.
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Item 4 – Organisation & Member updates
DOC: Due to the DOC restructure at the end of last year, Claire Spencer will now be joining the
NLMF instead of ben Reddiex going forward. Aroha Hughes will also join for support while Claire
settles in.
Fed Farm: Currently
ensuring communication and plans are in place with FENZ due to harvesting
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• First fire committee meeting of the year coming up.
• Work on a survey of the spend by forestry companies on fire is nearing completion and
will be able to provide an update at the next meeting, as still awaiting approval.
• Insurance issues causing challenges due to companies not offering the correct cover for
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the crops or is no longer achievable due to cost. Insurance Council are discussing
insurance trends with NZFOA at their next meeting
Action: Tim to organise a presentation to the group from the Insurance Council on future trends
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and impacts.
FENZ: Tim briefly discussed the
projects listed below that are due to end in June, further update
will be provided towards completion dates.
• Communicating Wildfire Risk
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Firebreaking Policy
• Wild Fire Treat Analysis (WTA)
MPI : Susan dropped out of the meeting and was not able to provide an update.
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Following the presentation, the group shared positive feedback with Eduardo and discussed the
information provided including the below questions:
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• Jay has requested that Eduardo connects with DOC’s H&S and fleet Team to share his
knowledge and provide recommendations.
• Sean asked Eduardo if he is aware of any similar risks with hydrogen batteries. Eduardo ACT
advised that because the hydrogen tanks are a lot thicker and robust the risks are lower
than lithium-ion and have shown lower risks on the stats. The main risk for hydrogen is
leakage of the gas as this is highly combustible gas.
• Thomas asked if Eduardo was aware of some new upcoming technologies using different
chemicals to reduce the risks. Eduardo advised that lithium-ion is a popular option as
these batteries can store large amounts of energy and they are low cost, however there
is a bright future as people are becoming more aware that lithium-ion is used in an
unstable way.
Action: Eduardo will circulate some video links to the group and guidance documents on EV’s in
buildings.
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Eduardo advised that he is happy to attend future meetings to have specific discussions or
provide recommendations when EV’s are being installed.
Action: All members to advise Eduardo of any specific presentations or discussions they would
like to have on EV technology.
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The remaining agenda items were not discussed and will be added to the forward agenda.
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• Optimizing the framework lead to improvements in behaviour and understanding versus
the current framework. This holds true for all audiences (farmers, lifestyles, tourists etc)
• Touchpoints – asked audience where they get their information from. Focused on ones
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that would require investment. Found that people prefer using touchpoints that they
naturally encounter, or from a source they already check.
• Recommended Touchpoints – Metservice App Partnership & Digital Roadside signs
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• Those surveys said they would not load an app specific to fire they would prefer to find
this information along side weather or other relevant sites.
Member Updates
DOC
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Looking at preparedness for the summer and working with FENZ to get numbers up.
There will be a drive from DOC to link partners before the upcoming season, so they
are meeting before fires happen. Aroha will be standing in for Claire
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Preparations are underway for the coming wildfire season, it would be helpful to get
some visibility of the resource gaps for the coming wildfire season as potentially
partners could help.
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LINZ restructure has now taken effect. The LINZ restructure has now been
completed, in the next six weeks personnel will be reallocated across the country,
there may be a change of representative for this forum will advise in due course.
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Registration of log traders and forestry advisors is now live from the 6th August.
Currently focusing on good communication to the public across the MPI website and
other channels.
FENZ
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Preparing for upcoming season. Supporting Canadian deployments overseas.
Attempting to organize some shadow role deployments, but Canada is too stretched
to support this. The Hawaii fires have generated a lot of interest in NZ, it highlights
that wildfires can occur anywhere. Developing a national campaign for the upcoming
season and will get this in place as soon as possible, given likely the wildfire season
will start sooner than usual this year. Continuing the Te Pae Tata projects as BAU
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Karakia to Close
Kua mutu a mātou mahi
Our work has finished
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Mō tēnei wā
For the moment
Manaakitia mai, mātou katoa
Bless us all
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O mātou hoa
Our colleagues
O mātou whanau
Our families
Āio ki te Aorangi
Peace to the Universe
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Minutes
Date:
Monday 9th October 23
Venue:
Microsoft Teams
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Time:
10.00am – 11.00am
Attendees: FENZ: Tim Mitchell (Chair), Graeme Still, Jess Lawson
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(minutes)
NZ FOA: Sean McBride
LINZ: Thomas Burns
MPI: Erin Flood
Apologies: DOC: Claire Spencer, Aroha Hughes
Fed Farmers: Eleanor Linscott
MPI: Susan Secker
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Introduction
• DOC & Fed Farmers representatives have given their apologies
• Graeme Still has joined to provide an update on the fire plan review
• The session is focusing on fire season outlook and fire plan review
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Update on Wildfire season outlook
Tim Mitchell discussed the climate drivers that will be causing an impact over the coming
months. He advised that the ‘El Nino’ has been officially declared from NIWA however the effects
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may be override by another significant driver which is the ‘Indian Ocean dipole’. The main area to
be affected by this will be north and eastern areas of both islands but most likely eastern north
island due to the moisture from the tropics potentially being cut off.. Currently the fire danger is
see sawing a bit as we get periods of warm windy weather, but then followed by rain and cooler
conditions. These conditions are expected to remain until after Christmas. But after Christmas we
are expecting conditions to warm up and dry out particularly in those eastern areas. . Given the
very wet conditions which have existed it has been a chal enge getting cut though with the public
to understand and prepare their properties however it is important that people are aware of the
upcoming issues.
Sean (FOA) advised that capacity and capability is concerning throughout the country if there is a
high fire season and ability to resource for any overlapping events.
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Tim (FENZ) advised that FENZ has been discussing resource sharing arrangements with Australia,
USA, and Canada should we need assistance.
• DOC – preparations are well underway for the fire season, and they are running
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refresher workshops for firefighters around the country
• LINZ –ensuring their rules don’t get in the way of farmers frustrations and keeping
considerations open on land use. The main chal enge is no capability or expertise on
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firefighting, so they are reliant on FENZ
• MPI – working on guidance for wilding trees and are keen to share them. Fiona is
working with coms on a higher level however is limited to discussing until after the
election. There is also other work on water sources and forests becoming fuel source
Action: Thomas to provide Tim with contact details for their coms team to use LINZ
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network to circulate some messaging
Action: Erin/Fiona to share a presentation at the December meeting on their current work
Wildfire Plan Review
Graeme Still (FENZ) updated the group on the progress of the fire plan review that is currently underway. The
updates will allow a review of the fire control measures the District will use and triggers for when these will apply.
There are 17 fire plans that have been sent to be reviewed by NHQ tech writers and Graeme to ensure they align
with national consistency. Following this the plans will then be forwarded to regions to further work on. Public
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consultation to begin on 8th Feb 2024. The public submission period The main areas of focus are on the fire season
triggers and zones, districts have been working with partners to allow everyone to be comfortable with how the
seasons are set. Graeme is pleased with the progress so far however there may be several points of interest that
may need further discussions.
wil run for 1 month ending on the 8th March 2024. On the 30th March 2024 all submissions will be collated and
provided to districts to further review. The completed plans will be publish in July 2024.
Sean (FOA) commented on the fire zones and agrees that some good work has been done. The change brings a
challenge around communication, there is no solid solution however Sean recommended using the wood councils
as a mechanism to communication around the country.
Action: Sean to provide Graeme with a contact for the wood council
Action: Thomas to connect Tim with the mapping team at LINZ.
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Member Updates
LINZ – continuing to keep up relationships with partners and be a point of contact. Following the change of role
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within LINZ there is now more visibility across Crown property. There have been changes to portfolio
management and they are still working out if there will be a single point of contact for districts.
MPI – work is progressing however the government change is going to impact which projects will continue. Erin
will provide further information after the election.
NZ FOZ – the revised National Environment Standard to commercial forestry was released last week and they
are now working through the repercussions. There are ongoing challenges with storms affecting harvest and
how this will affect the funding available for fire and other research areas. Work is underway development of a
guide for nighttime fire fighter operations around how we effectively manage the risk.
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FENZ – working on upcoming wildfire season arrangements including supporting preparations within districts.
Continuing to progress those outstanding projects from the Te Pae Tata programme. Tim is also working with
partners regarding international deployments and use of large air tankers. The Scion research plot has been
impacted so may need to come to partners help find an alternative burn site ideally in wilding pines to continue
their research. Thomas (LINZ) is checking with the commissioner if there could be an opportunity on LINZ land.
Action: Thomas to give a presentation on the new organisation changes, new structure and who some of the
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key managers are for the different work stream at the next meeting.
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