New Zealand Environmental Group Testifies on Indigenous Rights Breaches in Forestry Industry

Strategic Insights -

A New Zealand environmental group, Mana Taiao Tairwhiti, has testified before the 22nd United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) about potential indigenous rights breaches by the country's forestry industry. The group alleges that extensive deforestation, poor forestry practices, and climate change have harmed the east coast of New Zealand's north island, home to many Māori indigenous communities.

The group claims that the forestry and climate change have caused irreversible landscape changes, resulting in the loss of life, forced displacement, and broad ecocide, aquacide, and cultural genocide. The group also mentioned that the native trees in New Zealand are being outnumbered by introduced species due to the country's carbon credit system, which encourages growers to plant non-native trees to obtain a higher credit score.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mana Taiao Tairwhiti has accused the forestry industry and the New Zealand government of committing multiple Indigenous rights violations over the last 30 years, including the loss of life, forced displacement, and ecocide.
  • The group estimates that the damage caused by forestry runoff and debris could cost almost USD $2.5 billion to fix.
  • Native trees in New Zealand are being outnumbered by introduced species due to the country's carbon credit system, which encourages growers to plant non-native trees.
  • Mana Taiao Tairwhiti's goals are not to stop the forestry sector outright, but rather to create discussion around the practices seen in the industry.
  • The group has called for a thorough review of the forestry industry's actions leading up to the recent storms to determine whether the industry did enough to reduce the risk of damage.
  • Forestry is an important industry in New Zealand, contributing significantly to the economy and job market, with many Māori-owned companies providing employment.
  • The non-binding UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states that Indigenous communities have the right to the conservation and protection of the environment.

Statistics:

  • The estimated cost of fixing the damage caused by forestry runoff and debris is almost USD $2.5 billion.
  • The number of years the forestry industry and the New Zealand government have committed multiple Indigenous rights violations is 30.
  • The percentage of native trees in New Zealand being outnumbered by introduced species is not specified.
  • The number of Māori-owned companies providing employment in the forestry industry is not specified.

Sources:

  • New Zealand environmental group Mana Taiao Tairwhiti
  • 22nd United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)
  • The non-binding UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • Legal Monitor Worldwide (original article published in 2022)