Matt Wakelin

Matt Wakelin is the president of the New Zealand Forest Owners Association (FOA), where he advocates for the forestry sector's role in sustainable land use and climate change mitigation. Recently, he expressed concerns over new planting regulations that he believes create uncertainty for forest owners and may hinder the ability of forestry to coexist with farming. Wakelin emphasizes the importance of integrated land use and calls for clarity in policy to ensure the forestry industry can contribute effectively to New Zealand's economic and environmental goals.