It is important to us that we share our forests with the communities in which we operate. We allow appropriate access to our forests while taking into account:

• The safety of those wanting access and those working in the forest;
• The protection of significant indigenous areas, rare and threatened flora and fauna, and areas of cultural significance;
• The protection of the forest and any buildings, plant, and equipment;
• Landowner requirements, instructions, and/or wishes; and
• The views of local communities and stakeholders.

Except in specific circumstances as listed below, we manage forest access through access permits for activities such as recreational hunting and fishing, walking, horse riding, cycling, motorsports, and general recreation. To apply for a forest access permit for our Northland and Gisborne forests CLICK HERE. To read the conditions of our access permit CLICK HERE.

If you would like to enquire about obtaining an access permit to our Whanganui forests, please contact Forest Management New Zealand Limited on 06 346 6118.

Summit Forests will withdraw any and all access to its forests, with or without an access permit, where we become aware that some or all public access is no longer appropriate or where forest operations or environmental conditions represent a significant risk to those accessing the forest or to the forest itself.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones)

It is illegal to operate a UAV (drone) over private land without the landowner’s consent. To ensure compliance with relevant regulations and to protect our forests, operations, and anyone within the area, only those with a UAV Permit issued by Summit Forests may operate drones in or over our forests. Summit Forests’ UAV Policy and Permit Application outline the conditions for issuing a permit and the standard terms and conditions that apply.

Forest access without a permit

Northland

Ninety Mile Beach / Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe access through Te Hiku Forest is available via Hukatere Road at anytime or Ngataki Road on weekends, public holidays or after 5 pm weekdays.

Lake Ngatu Forest (Lake Gem) recreational tracks can be accessed without a permit up to the boundary with Te Hiku Forest.

Whangapoua Forest (Coromandel)

A permit is not required for walking access (no dogs) to non-operational areas. As well as walking access, no permit is required for bicycle access along Castle Rock Road but not to any road or track off Castle Rock Road. Please do not ignore signs/barriers restricting access due to forestry work.

Whanganui forests

A permit is not required for walkers or mountain bikers accessing our Whanganui forests between sunrise and sunset on Sundays and public holidays unless access needs to be restricted or closed. Please do not ignore signs/barriers restricting access due to forestry work.

Commercial Activity

If you would like to engage in any commercial activities in our forests, such as beekeeping, commercial hunting and pest control, horse trekking, grazing etc please contact the appropriate regional forest manager/office to discuss licensing arrangements.

Illegal Activities

Summit Forests will undertake all appropriate action to deal with any illegal or non-permitted activities within its forests and will involve relevant authorities, such as local police, if necessary.