Council awards contract to grow Nelson’s forest cover and protect catchments
Nelson City Council has awarded a long-term contract to Stand Forestry Limited (formerly PF Olsen Limited) to deliver large-scale forest establishment, weed and targeted animal pest control across Council reserves.
The work will focus on steep and erosion-prone land. Restoring permanent forest cover will help stabilise slopes, reduce the risk of landslides and keep sediment out of streams, while creating more habitat for native wildlife. Healthy forests soften the impact of rain, slow stormwater runoff and help water soak into the ground, reducing storm flow peaks and supporting stream flows during dry periods.
The contract commenced on 1 July 2026 and will run for six years, with two possible two-year extensions subject to satisfactory performance. In the first year, work is expected to cover more than 200 hectares and include the planting of around 128,000 trees, alongside work helping native forest return naturally by controlling weeds and pest animals.
“This is a long-term investment in Nelson’s land, waterways and biodiversity,” Mayor Nick Smith said. “Restoring forest on vulnerable hill country will help reduce landslides and erosion, protect streams and make our catchments more resilient to both heavy rain and dry summers.”
Tenders Committee Deputy Chairperson Councillor Kahu Paki Paki said he was delighted to plant a young tōtara on land included in this new contract near the Maitai Dam.
“Planting these trees in the shadow of 40-year-old established forest behind us makes it easier to imagine how this area will look once they mature. Tōtara are hardy trees that handle dry conditions and poor soils once established. Their forests provide food and shelter for native wildlife such as the kererū that eat the red fruit of the tōtara and spread the seeds. It’s a win-win for land management and biodiversity.”
The programme delivers on Council’s Right Tree Right Place recommendations and its Long Term Plan commitment to transition suitable areas of Council-owned commercial forestry from clear-fell rotations to permanent, mixed-species forest cover. This will support biodiversity, protect catchments, provide for recreation and strengthen Nelson’s long-term resilience.
The approach will vary from site to site. Where native forest is already returning, the focus will be on controlling weeds and pest animals so regeneration can continue. Other areas will need planting and several years of follow-up care. Council expects the programme to cover about 120–250 hectares each year, depending on site conditions, the work required and available budgets.
“The best result is not always achieved by planting every hectare,” Council Forest Systems Manager James Griffiths said. “In some places, native forest is already coming back, and our job is to remove the pressures holding it back. In other areas, planting will be needed. We will monitor the results and adjust the work as the forest develops.”
Locally sourced native species such as kānuka, mānuka and tōtara are preferred for planting, chosen for their resilience on steep or exposed sites and their value to native wildlife. In some places, fast-growing exotic species, such as Veronese poplar and Italian alder, will be planted at wide spacings amongst native species to accelerate the stabilisation of landslide-prone slopes.
Council received eight proposals through an open competitive tender process. The overall standard was high, and Council acknowledges the considerable time and expertise invested by all tenderers.
“We are looking forward to working with Council and local partners to restore these landscapes safely and effectively,” Blair Van der Mass of Stand Forestry Limited said. “Every site is different, so the work will be tailored to what the land needs.”
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