Forestry Minister Shane Jones will visit China and Japan to further strengthen New Zealand‘s relationship with two key primary sector export markets. 

The aim of his visit is to promote investment in New Zealand‘s forest industry, support trade development opportunities – including for New Zealand exporters of manufactured wood products – and establish relationships with counterparts and industry stakeholders in both countries.

Jones said the visit would allow New Zealand to further promote its forestry industry, which is one of our largest export earners. Both China and Japan key markets for New Zealand.

“With the Government‘s One Billion Trees planting programme, we know that high-quality overseas investment will play an important role in achieving this ambitious goal,” Jones said.

“In the year to March, nearly half of New Zealand‘s total forestry exports went to the China market, while Japan is New Zealand‘s fourth largest investor and a major investor in New Zealand‘s forestry industry.”

Jones will attend the 8th Global Wood Trade Conference in Chongqing, along with a delegation that includes New Zealand wood processing companies, the New Zealand Forest Owners Association, and Crown research Institute Scion. 

“It‘s important that we continue to take steps like this to promote strategic cooperation in areas of significant mutual economic potential.

“This is a well-timed visit as it allows us to highlight the recent changes to the Overseas Investment Act, which will come into force in October. The changes will streamline the process of investing in New Zealand‘s forestry sector and will also place more emphasis on value-added wood processing that will create jobs,” Jones said.