A new forestry association, which has been in the pipeline for more than a year, is up and running.

The association, to be known as Wood Council of New Zealand, or Woodco, held its inaugural meeting in Auckland last week.

Woodco claims to provide a single voice for groups within the forestry sector for the first time, though the sawmillers group, the Timber Industry Federation, is not a member.

As well, it is not clear how much funding of forestry industry bodies Carter Holt Harvey will provide now that it is under the control of Graeme Hart's Rank Group.

Council members were elected at the meeting and a former chief executive of Thames Timber, Tony Johnston, was appointed to run the association.

Mr Johnston was previously responsible for production and distribution of Fletcher Challenge Forests' operations in New Zealand, the United States and Chile.

Council member Lees Seymour,who is also managing director of Weyerhaeuser New Zealand, said the formation of Woodco was an important first step in building a stronger forestry sector.

AdvertisementAdvertisement"The idea is that Woodco will provide a single point of contact with the Government, who we look forward to working with closely through the Forest Industry Development Agenda process. This will be a key to further development in the sector," he said.

Other members of the council are Peter Berg, Forest Owners Association president; Phil Langston, chief executive of Kaingaroa Timberland; David Anderson, managing director of Winstone Pulp International; Peter Springford, chief executive of Carter Holt Harvey; Marty Verry from Waipa Sawmill; Mike Halliday of the Farm Forestry Association; John Stulen from the Forest Industry Contractors Association, and Owen Griffiths of the Pine Manufacturers Association.

A Wood Processors Association of New Zealand was also formed recently as part of a process of creating Woodco.

It is headed by Peter Bodeker, who took up the position after being the first chief executive officer of Dairy InSight. Forestry Minister Jim Anderton has welcomed the formation of Woodco.