Forestry policies, institutions and programmes

Administration
Niue is a country with strong political connection to New Zealand. Under a joint political agreement between the two countries, the country is governed by a national government in free-association with New Zealand. The country¿s inhabitants carry New Zealand passports and are New Zealand Citizens. Hence the bulk of the country¿s foreign aid is provided by the New Zealand Government. Over the last 20 years, the New Zealand Government has been providing financial and technical support to the Niue Forestry Division (NFD) in establishing its forest plantations. Land for the plantations is leased from landowners and planted with mainly mahogany and pine species. With arising disputes between the landowners and the Niue Government on land issues, rental rates, and employment conditions, the plantation operations (mainly replanting) have now been scaled down.

Activities of the NFD include:
  • promotion of forest protection and conservation;
  • monitoring and regulation of harvesting of natural forests;
  • regulation of timber processing; and
  • extension work, mainly in support of farmers interested in including tree crops as part of their farm activities.
Plan of action
A Plan of Action for ensuring sustainable management of land, water and forestry resources and environmental protection of SIDS has been formulated within the framework of the World Food Summit follow-up and was adopted by the FAO Council in June 1999. The Plan comprises the following five main areas of actions:
  • Adjusting to changes in the global trading environment;
  • Towards a more intensified, diversified and sustainable agriculture;
  • Meeting fisheries needs;
  • Ensuring sustainable management of land, water and forestry resources and environmental protection;
  • Capacity building and institutional strengthening;
The main forestry-related objectives and activities of the proposed plan of action are to:
  • promote the conservation and sustainable use of land and water resources and manage sustainably the forest resources;
  • enhance the environmental protection;
  • improve disaster preparedness; and
  • develop and/or strengthen national capacities in the context of the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture.
Last updated: August 2002
last updated: Monday, November 23, 2009