Kāingaroa Forest showing recently logged area

Kāingaroa Forest showing recently logged area

The vast Kāingaroa Forest in the central North Island is predominantly planted in radiata pine (Pinus radiata). In the early 2000s there were more than 1 million hectares of pine plantations. A native of California, Pinus radiata was introduced into New Zealand in the 19th century. It thrived, reaching maturity in around 28 years – much faster than in its native setting. The timber is widely used as a building material.