Labour Party leader David Cunliffe has just announced policies to stimulate the forestry and wood industries by encouraging more processing of timber rather that just the export of raw logs.
Labour Leader David Cunliffe speaking at the Forest and Wood conference. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
Speaking on Wednesday morning at the ForestWood conference in Wellington, Mr Cunliffe said forestry and wood processing are critical industries for the upgrading of the economy that New Zealand - and especially its regions - needs.
He says that if elected, Labour will increase the depreciation rates for investment in wood processing plants and equipment, which the party estimates would increase expenditure in the sector by between $40 million and $80 million a year.
Labour would also adopt a procurement strategy for public wooden buildings up to four storeys high, establish forestry taskforces for the long-term unemployed and provide loans to encourage new forest planting.
