When the Island was discovered in the sixteenth century most of its 12,100 ha was covered with forest of various types. By 1939, logging and grazing and the taking of fuelwood had reduced the forest to about 160 ha and much of this was in poor condition. This meant lack of self-sufficiency in wood and wood products and severe erosion by wind and water causing the loss of some of the Island's genetic heritage, the drying up of water courses and desertification of the Island fringe. From 1907 until 1966 New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) was the major crop. At its most extensive, flax covered more than 1350 ha and had been pushed up towards the Island's peak, displacing yet more forest. The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANDR) was established in 1934 but forestry seems to have continually been a weak aspect of its work until the arrival of the Agricultural and Forestry Officer. In 1954, he first addressed the afforestation of the Island by starting a ring forest at 1,500 asl. The decline of the flax industry provided an opportunity to expand the forested area and in the mid 1970s, flax land over 28 degrees of slope was allocated to forestry. Some of this land was transferred to Government control. Forest expansion has mostly used exotic species. In recent years, propagation of endemic plants has enabled the re-introduction of indigenous vegetation in semi-arid areas. The first DFID Forestry specialist visited the Island in 1972 and following his recommendation a TCO Forester, was appointed for two years from 1976. Then, and in subsequent advisory visits he assisted SHG to produce financial plans and projects viz.: - 1987 (92) - the framework for a forestry industry involving training, conservation planting, a sawmill 1980/85 - completing the framework 1985/90 - projects for forestry, the sawmill, and endemics - 1990/94 - plantation management. DFID devised specific project support to this series of plans from 1985. Until the mid 1970s land planted up was legally constituted as forest. Of recent years new plantations have not been constituted but the boundaries of all Crown Property have been surveyed. Forest road construction was initiated, with hand labour, in 1977. A skeletal road system now exists in most of the forest. The sawmill, opened in 1977 and is operated by ANRD which is striving to make it break even. The Forest Estate now totals 3,500 ha - about 30 percent of the Island and includes all areas classed as forest - fuelwood, conservation, dryland, productive - whether afforested or not. The estate has incomplete legal constitution and may need augmenting with those areas of Crown Waste which exhibit significant cover of natural vegetation and would be suitable for infilling and subsequent forest management.

To finalise the potential for island self-sufficiency in sawn timber, poles and firewood to expand the potential for an export industry and move government activities towards profit.

• New plantations established.
• Felled and replanted (nature pine).
• Plantations brought under management.

• Improved plantation management.

• Token new forest track constructed.
• Sawmill throughput increased - 1,700 cu m/yr reached by 1996.
• Sawmill efficiency improved.
• Long-term forest plan published.
• Research into forest hydrology, ecological restoration, and identification of species for restoration carried out.
• Role for private sector in forestry agreed.
• Agreed future for sawmill.
• Staff trained in forestry, saw-doctoring, furniture design, and financial management.