Forestry

Environment Southland is here to support landowners, forestry managers and contractors to understand and manage the environmental requirements for commercial forestry in Southland. We help oversee activities such as planting, earthworks, harvesting and river crossings, and our team is available to answer questions, explain what’s needed, and help you work through the right forms and management plans.

Commercial forestry notices

You must submit a notice to Environment Southland for certain commercial forestry activities if your activity meets the thresholds in the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF).

When you need to send a notice:

You need to submit a notice if your activity is:

Afforestation – new planting more than 1 hectare
Earthworks – over 500m²
River crossings – permanent crossings
Forest quarrying – over 200m³ in a calendar year
Harvesting – over 1 hectare and more than 30m wide
Replanting – over 1 hectare within 5 years of harvesting

Submit your notice

Written notice – NES-CF (online form)

Note: You need to log in to save your application. Use the Log in button at the top of the page or sign up if you don’t have an account.

About the NES-CF:

The NES-CF replaced the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF) in 2023.

These rules help manage the environmental effects of forestry by:

Reducing sediment entering waterways
Limiting forestry slash entering waterways
Managing wilding tree risk
Addressing other environmental impacts

The updated NES-CF also includes forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme that may not be harvested (often called carbon forestry).

Who this applies to:

These rules apply to forestry of 1 hectare or more that has been planted for commercial purposes, including:

Small woodlots
Large forest estates

Before you start work:

If you plan to:

harvest, or
plant 1 hectare or more

you must:

submit a notice and management plans online, and
do this at least 20 working days before work starts

If you are planting, choose your species carefully. Talk to forestry experts and contact the Council for advice.

Wilding tree risk (from 26 June 2026)

From 26 June 2026, a new wilding tree risk calculator applies.

Find more information here

More information

Learn more about the NES-CF here.
Southland Water and Land Plan (also applies). More information here.
https://www.es.govt.nz/about-us/plans-and-strategies/regional-plans/proposed-southland-water-and-land-plan

Pay attention to rules for:

discharges
culverts and bridges
planting margins
cables over waterways

Need help?

Call the Land Sustainability team on 0800 76 88 45.