| May 2001 |
Government decides that all 130,000 ha of West Coast forests
"managed" by Timberlands are to be protected and transferred to
Department of Conservation. Independent Panel's proposals for new "Maruia/Waiau"
National Park , Kawatiri Conservation Park, Mawhera Conservation Park, and
extensions to Paparoa and Westland/Tai Poutini National Parks to be investigated.
DoC West Coast to get additional funding of $1.3 million to manage new conservation
lands.
|
| Nov 2000 |
Independent Panel convened by Bruce Watson reviews
conservation values of forests "managed" by Timberlands and completes
comprehensive report confirming their high values. Panel recommends that
virtually all the forests be protected as conservation land. Report not
released till May 2001.
|
| Dec 1999 |
Labour/Alliance Government announces that Timberlands
is not to proceed with beech logging scheme and that all Timberlands rimu
logging is to end by April 2002.
Council hearings on Timberlands' applications for resource consents abandoned.
|
| 1999 |
Nicky Hager and Bob Burton's book "Secrets and Lies"
exposes Timberlands' efforts to manipulate public opinion and the media.
|
| Dec 1998 |
Separate review of Timberlands beech plans by
18 independent ecologists and Royal Society of NZ conclude that proposals
are seriously flawed.
|
| Apr 1999 |
New rules in Buller District Plan require Timberlands to get resource
consents for the beech scheme and a public submission process.
|
| Nov 1998 |
Public flood MAF with submissions opposing Timberlands Beech
"Management" (Logging) Plans. Overwhelming majority of submissions
oppose the beech scheme.
|
| Jun 1999 |
Forest and Bird seeks declaration in the Environment Court
that Timberlands' over-cutting of 6,400 ha Orikaka forest breaches rules
in Buller District Plan. Declaration fails, largely because of "slovenly"
drafting of Buller Plan.
|
| 1997 |
Native Forest Action's tree sit in Charleston forests focuses public
attention on Timberlands' rimu clear-felling.
|
| Jul 1996 |
Forest Amendment Act 1993 controls on native
timber logging become fully operational, slowing forest destruction on private
land.
|
| Dec 1995 |
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
identifies major problems with Timberlands' beech logging scheme. Review
panel's report endorses many of Forest and Bird's criticisms of logging.
|
| Oct 1996
|
Forest Gathering in Reefton to visit threatened forests. |
| 1994- 1999 |
Forest and Bird and others use the Resource Management Act and an appeal
to the Environment Court to get rules in the Buller District Plan which
require Timberlands to get resource consents for its beech and rimu logging.
|
| Dec 1994 |
Forest and Bird blows whistle on Timberlands' proposed re-activation
of beech scheme. Logging due to start in 1996. |
| 1992 |
Forest and Bird begins major campaign to save remaining 130,000ha
of West Coast rainforest threatened by logging |
| 1990 |
Ban on the export of native wood chips. |
| 1989 |
Protection of South Westland's great forests and establishment
of the South West World Heritage Area, |
| 1986 |
West Coast Accord signed.
215,000ha of native rainforest protected including the Paparoa National
Park and 74 ecological reserves
|
| 1981 |
South Okarito and Waikukupa Forests protected
and added to Westland National Park
|
| 1976 |
Forest and Bird helps NFAC get 341,160 signatures
on the Maruia Declaration
|
| 1973 |
Forest and Bird's beech forest petition helps
defeat the first big beech scheme
|
