Timberlands West Coast Limited

Timberlands West Coast Limited was a New Zealand state-owned forestry enterprise established to manage native and exotic forests on the West Coast after the restructuring and abolition of the New Zealand Forest Service. Its activities placed it at the centre of a national debate over the commercial logging of indigenous forests, conservation policy, and the responsibilities of state-owned enterprises. The company operated in a region where forestry was economically important but where remaining native forests had substantial ecological and public value. Its business responsibilities included managing forest assets that had previously been administered by the New Zealand Forest Service. The contrast between commercial forestry objectives and growing environmental opposition made the company a prominent participant in New Zealand's wider forest-policy controversy during the 1990s. Timberlands became especially controversial because of a covert public-relations campaign conducted in support of its logging operations. Internal documents associated with the campaign were later made public and were discussed in the 1999 book Secrets and Lies. The episode contributed to criticism of the company's communications practices and of the government's approach to indigenous-forest logging. The controversy is an important part of the company's public history, although the available reference material does not provide a complete account of all campaign participants, contractors, expenditure, or individual decisions. A major policy change occurred in 2001, when approximately 130,000 hectares of indigenous forest were transferred to the Department of Conservation. This transfer reduced Timberlands' role in managing native forests and reflected the government's changing conservation and land-management priorities. The company continued to exist while its remaining assets and responsibilities were reassessed. In February 2008, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Trevor Mallard announced that Timberlands' assets would be transferred to Crown Forestry, a division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The announcement cited the company's poor financial results. Timberlands ceased trading on 31 December 2008. After the transfer of its forests was completed, the company was wound up. It therefore survives primarily as a historical example of New Zealand's state-owned forestry model and the tensions between commercial forestry, indigenous-forest conservation, public accountability, and environmental campaigning.

Timberlands West Coast Limited was a New Zealand state-owned enterprise based on the West Coast. It was created to manage the native and exotic forests previously administered by the New Zealand Forest Service after the service was dismantled during public-sector restructuring. The company's role combined commercial forestry responsibilities with stewardship of publicly owned forest resources. During the 1990s, Timberlands' logging operations became part of a broader national dispute about whether indigenous forests should be managed for timber production or protected for conservation. Environmental organisations opposed aspects of the company's operations, while forestry interests and supporters of regional employment defended continued logging. The conflict also generated controversy over Timberlands' communications strategy. Internal documents concerning a secret public-relations campaign intended to support logging and counter environmental groups were later published and discussed in the 1999 book Secrets and Lies. This episode became a defining scandal in the company's history. In 2001, approximately 130,000 hectares of indigenous forests were transferred to the Department of Conservation. The transfer substantially changed the company's forest-management portfolio and reflected a shift in New Zealand government policy toward conservation of native forests. Timberlands nevertheless remained in existence while its remaining assets and commercial responsibilities were reviewed. In February 2008, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Trevor Mallard announced that Timberlands' assets would be transferred to Crown Forestry, a division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The decision was associated with the company's poor financial results. Timberlands ceased trading on 31 December 2008. Once the forest transfer had been completed, the company was wound up. The available reference material does not identify the company's founding year, individual chief executives, detailed product volumes, or financial figures.

• 2008

  Asset-transfer decision

  [1]Timberlands West Coast Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  The government announced the transfer of Timberlands' assets to Crown Forestry because of poor financial results.

• 2008

  Cessation and winding-up

  [1]Timberlands West Coast Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  Timberlands ceased trading on 31 December, and was subsequently wound up after its forest assets were transferred.

• 2001

  Transfer of indigenous forests

  [1]Timberlands West Coast Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  Approximately 130,000 hectares of indigenous forest moved to the Department of Conservation.

• 1999

  Public disclosure of covert public-relations activity

  [1]Timberlands West Coast Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  Documents concerning a secret campaign supporting Timberlands' logging operations were published and discussed in Secrets and Lies.

A Crown-owned regional forestry enterprise combining commercial forest management with responsibility for public forest assets on New Zealand's West Coast.

• Forestry management

  Indigenous forest management

  Management of native forest assets on the West Coast, including the commercial and policy responsibilities inherited from the former New Zealand Forest Service. This activity became politically contentious because of the ecological importance of indigenous forests and opposition from conservation organisations. Much of the indigenous-forest estate was transferred to the Department of Conservation in 2001.

• Forestry management

  Exotic forest management

  Management of planted or exotic forest resources on the West Coast as part of Timberlands' state forestry mandate. The available reference does not specify individual species, timber products, harvesting volumes, or commercial customers. Remaining forest assets were ultimately transferred to Crown Forestry before the company was wound up.

• 1999

  Covert public-relations campaign over logging

  The publication of internal documents concerning Timberlands' secret campaign against environmental opposition to its logging operations generated controversy over the company's conduct and public communications.

  Source

Read more

• 1990Secret public-relations campaign supporting logging

  New Zealand

  Timberlands operated a covert public-relations effort intended to support its logging operations and counter environmental groups during the 1990s. The campaign became known publicly after related internal documents were released.

  Outcome. The campaign became a major source of public criticism and was documented in the 1999 book Secrets and Lies. The reference material does not establish a more precise start year.

  Source

• 2008

  Transfer of remaining assets to Crown ForestryStrategy

  Background

  The government cited Timberlands' poor financial results when announcing a change in the administration of its assets.

  Action taken

  The company's assets were designated for transfer to Crown Forestry, a division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

  Aftermath

  Timberlands ceased trading on 31 December 2008 and was wound up after completion of the forest transfer.

  Source

• 2001

  Transfer of indigenous forests to conservation administrationStrategy

  Background

  New Zealand's policy toward native forests shifted toward conservation, amid longstanding controversy surrounding commercial logging on the West Coast.

  Action taken

  Approximately 130,000 hectares of indigenous forest were transferred from Timberlands to the Department of Conservation.

  Aftermath

  Timberlands' native-forest management responsibilities were reduced, while the Department of Conservation assumed control of the transferred forests.

  Source

• 2008

  Timberlands assets scheduled for transfer to Crown Forestry[1]Timberlands West Coast Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Trevor Mallard announced that Timberlands' assets would move to Crown Forestry, citing the company's poor financial results.

• 2008

  Timberlands ceases trading[1]Timberlands West Coast Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The company stopped trading on 31 December 2008; following completion of the forest-asset transfer, it was wound up.

• 2001

  Indigenous forests transferred to the Department of Conservation[1]Timberlands West Coast Limiteden.wikipedia.org

  Regulation

  Approximately 130,000 hectares of indigenous forest were transferred from Timberlands' control to New Zealand's Department of Conservation.

1. 1Timberlands West Coast Limiteden.wikipedia.org