In 2019, Pan Pac purchased an area of forest land (total area 298ha), located just north of our Whirinaki mill. This forest land includes approx. 68ha of well-established Indigenous (native) forest. We partnered with government organizations to place the reserve into a secure Queen Elizabeth ll National Trust (QEll)*1 covenant, under the name Pakuratahi Bush.
While Pan Pac will maintain ownership of the land, the QEll covenant ensures Pakuratahi Bush is preserved for future generations. Pakuratahi Bush is unique for Hawkeʼs Bay given the forestʼs age and previous protection from animal livestock and pests. For these reasons, the native tree population mixes of kahikatea, matai, titoki, karaka*2 and kanula hold particular ecological cultural importance.
Although there is no public access to Pakuratahi Bush, we will be working with specialists to harvest rare seeds to assist in local and national programs of native forest regeneration. We also hope to welcome schools to the area for educational visits.
In June 2021, Pan Pac received funding approval through the Governmentʼs “Jobs for Nature Fund” to fence Pakuratahi Bush and plant an additional 12ha of native plants on bare land areas to speed up restoration.
This program aims to fence in a permanent preservation area (springs, streams, rivers, and surrounding vegetation) between fragmented natural forests to prevent livestock and other animals from entering and restoring natural vegetation. Further, the project aims to function as an "ecological corridor" for wildlife to come and go between natural forests, thereby contributing to preserving ecosystems and biodiversity.
CENIBRA aims to create green corridors outside the company's property by 2023, with 20,000 hectares of consolidated natural forest.
