Summit Forests New Zealand Limited is pleased to announce they have purchased 15,100 productive hectares of forest in the East Coast and Coromandel.
The addition of the Pinus radiata forests in Whangapoua and Ruatoria takes their portfolio to around ~52,000 hectares in the North Island, making them the seventh largest forestry company in New Zealand.
Takashi Sasaoka, Managing Director of Summit Forests New Zealand Limited, says this is an important day for Summit Forests as it continues to establish a long-term business in NZ.
“This acquisition of highly productive forests will complement the other assets acquired over the last decade in New Zealand. We look forward to continuing to manage these forests in line with Summit’s commitment to best practice and the highest environmental standards,” says Sasaoka.
General manager Henare Walker agrees, saying: “Summit Forests have operated in New Zealand since 2013 and we’re really proud of what we have achieved so far in terms of being a business that operates respectfully, looking after the environment, the local people we employ, and the communities we work in. The support of our key stakeholders and suppliers as well as the exceptional sub-contractors we work with has enabled this expansion and we look forward to the next phase.”
Walker says they’ll be offering meaningful work to East Coast and Coromandel locals across a range of roles. A focused recruitment drive will start immediately.
“Summit Forests will be looking for significant new staff in the East Coast region, including office admin, harvest planners, supervisors and forest engineers, plus a strong contractor workforce. If you’re interested in working for a progressive, sustainable business that truly cares about the people who work for us, we’d love to hear from you,” says Walker.
To enquire about working for Summit Forests, please email [email protected]
About Summit Forests NZ Limited
Summit Forests New Zealand is a subsidiary of Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation which has a proud trading history of over 100 years. Summit entered the New Zealand forestry industry in 2013 and is proud to employ more than 200 New Zealanders as staff and sub-contractors. Summit is the seventh largest forestry business in NZ with its main forest holdings in Northland and the Gisborne/East Coast region. Summit also operates its own dedicated log export business. Summit and parent company Sumitomo Corporation have a goal to be carbon neutral by 2050.