Forestry is a key sector in New Zealand, contributing significantly to the economy and environmental sustainability of the country. We understand the complexities and opportunities within the forestry sector – and our goal is to help you succeed.
As New Zealand’s leading dedicated forestry team, we provide insightful and comprehensive legal services across the sector. We work with you to help navigate challenges and provide practical solutions to achieve your objectives.
- We are renowned for our expertise and experience handling some of New Zealand’s largest forestry transactions. We represent both international and domestic clients, offering tailored solutions that meet their unique needs.
- We are experts in New Zealand’s foreign direct investment regime, the Overseas Investment Act, helping clients obtain Overseas Investment Office (OIO) consent for their acquisitions of forestry assets. We are proud to be the firm that assisted an international client with obtaining the first farmland to forestry OIO consent.
- We are market leaders in advising on the Climate Change Response Act and the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). We have advised many clients launching novel carbon business ventures including voluntary carbon arrangements.
- We regularly advise on environmental issues affecting the forestry sector, including the interpretation and application of the National Environmental Standard for Commercial forestry, resource consents requirements and compliance matters.
In a high-profile sector that is constantly evolving, it is essential that your legal advisers are up-to-date with legal developments while also understanding the issues facing the forestry sector. We pride ourselves on our industry experience and network of contacts across the sector. This ensures that we are always at the forefront of the market, ready to help our clients succeed.
We advise clients on:
- Acquisitions and divestments
- Forestry rights
- Carbon forestry projects
- Due diligence
- Obtaining Overseas Investment Office approvals
- Māori land issues
- Access rights
- The Climate Change Response Act
- The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme
- Land use capabilities
- Government reforms
Recent highlights
Global Forest Partners
Acted for one of the oldest and largest global timberland investment funds, Global Forest Partners (GFP), on the sale of 100% of its Waonui estate, one of New Zealand’s premium forestry estates. The transaction was the largest forestry transaction (by value) in New Zealand between 2023 and 2025.
The transaction involved tight time frames, a competitive bidding process, and had a unique combination of foreign jurisdictions – the target was a Cayman Islands company (with forestry assets in New Zealand), the Vendor was US/Cayman Islands-based, and the Purchaser was a Canadian pension fund (OTPP).
We advised the Vendor on the full transaction, including vendor due diligence and Sale and Purchase Agreement negotiation (across multiple bidders and a staged bid process), the OIO process, and ultimately to completion of the transaction.
The transaction was conducted against a backdrop of market uncertainty and significant political pressure on New Zealand’s forestry industry.
Pan Pac Forest Products
Advising PanPac on a range of forestry matters, including obtaining its standing consent from the Overseas Investment Office, settling the country's first forestry transaction in reliance on such a consent, and participation in the ETS and the impact of environmental reforms.
Climate Asset Management
Acting for a newly established Luxembourg based fund on the acquisition of the largest redwoods plantation in NZ and on all operational forestry contracts and subsequent acquisitions. Our work included undertaking comprehensive due diligence on a full range of matters including property, environment and ETS, advising on transaction documentation and completion.
Tāmata Hauhā
Advising on all aspects of Tāmata Hauhā's forestry programme involving the establishment mixed exotic and native forests on partner land to provide an income stream for landowners, many of whom are Māori landowners with marginal land. Our work has included advising on property interests, commercial arrangements, participation in the ETS, the application of the NES and the impact of Government reforms.
OneFortyOne Plantations
Advising OneFortyOne Plantations on its NZD1.2 billion acquisition of Nelson Forests from funds advised by Global Forest Partners. The transaction involved approximately 77,000 hectares of plantation land across the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions and required Overseas Investment Office approval, as well as navigation of complex Crown forestry licence arrangements and iwi engagement issues. Campbell Global acted as specialist forestry adviser to OneFortyOne on the transaction. We also advised OneFortyOne on its acquisition of the Manuka Island forest estate in the Wairau Valley, comprising approximately 2,000 hectares, including securing Overseas Investment Office standing consent.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
Advising Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu on the 2024 sale of its West Coast forestry estate (via forestry right) to Fiera Comox. The transaction involved a forestry right over approximately 45,500 hectares of predominantly radiata pine and Douglas fir plantations, with ownership of the whenua remaining with Ngāi Tahu. We carried out extensive due diligence and negotiated the joint venture and forestry right arrangements, with Ngāi Tahu retaining a 15% stake and governance oversight, reflecting its long term, intergenerational approach to asset stewardship.
Acting in proceedings concerning tikanga based allocation of land
Acting for Te Pūmautanga o Te Arawa Trust in High Court and Court of Appeal proceedings concerning the allocation of Central North Island (CNI) forestry land among CNI iwi, including Te Arawa affiliates represented by the Trust, following a tikanga-based resolution process and in related proceedings regarding the use of Kaingaroa Forest land beyond 2044.
