A new cross-sector forestry and wood products strategy is aiming to double the New Zealand forestry industry's business-as-usual export earning to $12billion by 2022.

The Bay of Plenty region is well positioned to benefit from and contribute to the strategy, says the Bay of Connections Forestry Advisory Group.

The strategy has been developed by the Wood Council of New Zealand (Woodco) and was launched at the ForestWood Conference in Wellington last week.

It estimates New Zealand's log and wood product exports could grow from a recorded $4.6billion in March last year, to $12 billion in 10 years' time, if the industry embraces a plan to grow domestic capacity, diversify its export base and concentrate on high-value wood-based manufacturing.

Bay of Connections Forestry Advisory Group chair Bryce Heard says the wider Bay of Plenty region is already poised to contribute to the national strategy, with the implementation of the region's forestry strategy.

The Bay of Plenty's regional forestry strategy was developed under the Bay of Connections' regional economic development strategy, released in September last year.

Bryce says the forestry industry has been a key part of the wider Bay of Plenty economy for more than 100 years.

'It will continue to be so for another 100 years. Our challenge is to create more value with what we have, to generate greater returns to the industry and to our local economy.”

He says adding value to a harvest, which will increase by between two and three million m³ in the next 10 years, is a significant opportunity for the local industry.

'It's a challenge which has confronted the Bay of Plenty forestry industry for about 25 years now.

'To date, we have seen low investment in high value consumer end wood products. There are deeply rooted reasons for this poor investment record and they are not easily fixed, however the new national strategy will also help us achieve that.”

Bryce says the new national strategy is focused on collaboration and co-operation across the industry.

The Bay of Connections Forestry Action Group industry consultant John Galbraith, says BOP strategy will contribute to a wider national strategy in a number of ways.

'There are a number of areas where the Bay of Connections action plan supports the new national strategy, including in the promotion of wood for use in construction under the NZ Wood brand and the promotion of timber-acceptable solutions in New Zealand building codes and standards.

'The Bay of Plenty can also contribute to the development of pan-industry and innovation initiatives, and the development of education and career pathways.”

John says with nearly half of the national forestry harvest in the wider Bay of Plenty region, and the national centres of excellence in forestry science and education based here, they will be making a significant contribution to the national action plan, which will in turn provide benefit for the local sector and economy.

He says the Bay of Plenty industry will also play a role in the areas of infrastructure, clean energy, climate and industry service centres, which are considered areas of special advantage for the wider Bay of Plenty region.

The Bay of Connections Forestry Action Group will be meeting in Rotorua this week to discuss the new strategy.

'One of our next steps will be to look for opportunities for our regional industry experts and leaders to contribute to parts of the national strategy.

'For our region to benefit, we need to ensure we are doing everything we can to support it.”