Untapped Potential in Natives

Forest and Bird, Issue 250, 1 November 1988, Page 9

Untapped Potential in Natives

The country could earn more money and the Sunday drive become more scenic if we planted selected strains of native trees with the same zeal as we have the pine, according to Dr David Bellamy. Dr Bellamy called for more research to be carried out into New Zealand native trees to identify the best trees for timber production and unlock their genetic potential. ‘‘As yet no one has bothered to come into this forest and find out which individual rimu, miro or totara grows fastest, so consequently we find the surrounding areas planted out in pines. When you look at these trees in Whirinaki, some of the oldest plants still living on earth, their ancestors dating back to the age of the dinosaurs, one can only guess at the wealth of untapped genetic material contained here in this forro] As an example Dr Bellamy pointed out that the giant podocarps of Whirinaki may well hold genetic information to solve every fungal disease there is. ‘‘These trees are unique in never having been affected by fungus diseases. Certainly when we consider the age of these trees we can't say that they have never come into contact with fungal spores." Dr Bellamy said unsolved questions such as these highlighted the need to keep untouched heartlands of native forest reserves. "It’s no good saying everything is alright because we have one kahikatea, or one rimu tree preserved in a botanic garden or reserve. Just as people are different, so every tree is different."’ Pureora Forest — The Treaty and Forest Protection. In 1980 the Government paid out $7 million to get logging companies out of Pureora forest. It was made a Forest Park to protect the nation’s finest dense podocarp rainforest habitat for kokako, kaka and parakeet. Sadly the loggers have since returned. In the last 18 months there have been six different incidents where Conservation Department staff allege the Titiraupenga Maori Trust, who are logging their B9B block which adjoins the Forest Park, have crossed the Park boundary and poached 150 giant rimu and matai trees from within the Park. This photo on the park boundary shows one of those giant rimu which had been hauled from a kilometre inside the park. The alleged log poaching finally stopped when DoC staff seized the Trust’s bulldozer and impounded it at the Forest Park Headquarters. Court action is proceeding. Complicating the debate is a Waitangi Tribunal claim for Pureora. The merits of the claim will be assessed by the Tribunal and their recommendation considered by Government. Land ownership is a matter be-

tween the Crown and the claimants on which it would be inappropriate for Forest and Bird to comment. We can however comment on land use and make the strongest possible plea that Pureora’s forests and wildlife remain protected forever. Pureora Forest is a national treasure. Pureora, Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks and the South Westland state forests are all under Waitangi Tribunal claims. Regardless of the outcome of those claims Forest and Bird believes these areas must all remain fully protected. The Ngati Tuwharetoa gift of Tongariro as a National Park and the leasing of Lake Waikaremoana by Maori owners to form the core of the Urewera National Park symbolise their commitment to protect New Zealand's nature heritage. We would welcome your comments on this important issue.