Forestry Minister Shane Jones says if the goal of planting a billion trees by 2028 is to be met, forestry workers will need to be brought in from overseas. Mr Jones says his primary focus is still putting New Zealanders to work.
But Prue Younger from the Forest Industry Contractors Association says training New Zealanders to fill labour gaps isn't practical.
Shane Jones says in some regions it's clear there is not enough local workers and he's asked the Immigration Minister to help get workers from the Pacific for those parts of the country.
Mr Jones talks to Corin Dann.
