On 28 May 2025, the East Coast branch of the NZFFA met with Aratu Forests Ltd in Gisborne for an overview of their operation and a field visit to their nearby Te Kopua block. Four Catchment Advisors from the Northern Catchment team of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) were also present.
In their Gisborne office, visitors were shown the extent of the approximately 35,000 ha of forests they own on the East Coast, which extends down into Hawke’s Bay, this being a mix of freehold forest land as well as joint ventures. Aratu said their company is providing approximately $1.5 million directly to the local economy every week. They explained their shareholder arrangement in detail, and then walked us through their challenges, successes and innovations operating on the East Coast, particularly over the last seven years.