Responsible forestry in action
A new Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) video is shining a spotlight on the Kaingaroa Forest Estate, showcasing how FSC certification supports responsible forest management and delivers tangible environmental, community and economic outcomes.
Released ahead of International Day of Forests (21 March), the FSC® in Action in Aotearoa video brings together Kaingaroa Tipu, wood product manufacturer Abodo, and end users at Wellington Zoo to show how certification works in practice — connecting sustainably managed forests with the people and businesses who rely on them every day.
At the heart of the story is Kaingaroa Forest. The video explains how FSC certification helps guide day‑to‑day forestry decisions, from harvest planning and safety to biodiversity protection and community use of the forest.
Sustainability General Manager Colin Maunder explains how FSC certification sets clear, independent standards that shape how the forest is cared for over the long term. He reflects on how those standards have helped strengthen biodiversity outcomes in Kaingaroa Forest, including the presence of the kārearea (New Zealand falcon), now found at its highest recorded density in the estate.
The video also highlights how healthy forest ecosystems support many other native species, while remaining productive working forests that supply renewable timber for local and international markets.
Supporting communities
Various communities are connected to Kaingaroa Tipu beyond commercial forestry. Whakarewarewa Forest, part of our managed estate, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and is a cornerstone of Rotorua’s world‑class recreation economy. FSC certification helps ensure these shared spaces are managed responsibly, balancing public access with environmental care and safe forestry operations.
Building trust
FSC certification plays a growing role in global supply chains, giving customers confidence that wood products come from responsibly managed forests. As international markets increasingly require verified chain‑of‑custody documentation, certification helps New Zealand forest products compete and maintain trust all the way from the forest to the end consumer.
The video also features downstream users of sustainably sourced timber, including Abodo and Wellington Zoo where FSC certification is used to tell a clear, credible story about sustainability and responsible sourcing. Each step across the forest value chain, certification demonstrates the role everyone plays in growing better environmental, social and economic outcomes.