Otago Coast Forest comprises 12 blocks; Cuttance, Hopehill, Allanton, Morrisons, Pophams, Akatore, Brocks, Trounsons, Moneymore, Waronui, Wangaloa and Kaitangata spread along the Coastal Otago hills southwest of Dunedin, extending for a distance of 50 kilometres from Allanton to Kaitangata. Otago Coast Forest has a gross area of 11,052 hectares, of which 9,500 hectares is stocked or awaiting replanting. Brocks and Waronui blocks are freehold land owned by Wenita. The remaining blocks are managed under Forestry Right Agreements between Otago Land Company and Ngai Tahu Estates No 3 Limited who own the land, and Wenita who own the trees. Environmental Limitations The Otago Coast Forest blocks are all located on similar geology and are typically on rolling country with broad ridges and moderately steep faces falling to water courses. Altitude ranges from sea level to 440 metres above sea level (asl). The climate is coastal with an average annual rainfall of 600 to 700 millimetres, well spread throughout the year. Soils are broadly described as yellow grey to yellow brown earths of the Kaitangata, Henley, Akatore and Taratu series. Soil drainage and fertility are adequate for good forest growth. Radiata pine site indices range from 20 to 28 metres at age 20. Rare Threatened and Endangered Species A number of rare species are known to exist within Otago Coast Forest. These include the New Zealand Falcon and several indigenous fish species. A Biodiversity Survey has been carried out to identify areas of significant indigenous habitat. These have been given protection under the Wenita Environmental Management System. Further surveys are being carried out to identify additional rare, threatened or endangered species and to monitor the known species. Protected Areas Protected areas include eight sites protecting Maori middens or ovens. There are also sixteen historic sites reflecting early European settlement of coastal Otago. Department of Conservation (DOC) covenants are situated in Morrisons, Pophams, Cuttance, Akatore and Wangaloa blocks. Other protected areas include riparian margins and areas of significant indigenous habitat identified during the Biodiversity Survey. Non-Forest Resources Mountain biking, horse trekking, motorcycle riding and hunting are popular recreational activities in the forest. All access requires an Access Permit. Some forest grazing by neighbours is carried out where envionmental values are not compromised. Planning Long term estate planning is carried out to ensure the forest is managed within an overall sustainable cut and to identify any potential environmental or social impacts at the landscape level. Management Plans are developed for rare, threatened and endangered species, protected areas and non-forest resources to ensure that these are identified and protected through the planning and management process. Medium-term plans identify the order in which stands are to be harvested. As Otago Coast Forest is a mixed-age forest, harvesting is an ongoing activity, with the centres of activity moving from block to block in the sequence that the forest was planted. The projected harvesting areas for the next two years are shown on the maps. Forest Management The predominant forest crop is Radiata pine, which grows well on all sites. Other species such as Macrocarpa are considered where they have an environmental and economic advantage. Harvesting is carried out using a mix of Cable and Ground-based systems, depending on the topography. Harvest areas are clearfelled as whole stands to minimise losses from windthrow. Internal roads are upgraded prior to harvesting allowing sufficient time for them to consolidate before use. Following harvesting, areas are replanted within one year. Approximately 70% of the areas replanted in Radiata pine undergo an intensive silvicultural regime including pruning and thinning. The remaining areas, including other species, are thinned. All operations that can have a significant environmental impact are controlled by Best Management Practices. |
