Forestry watchdog facing court order over problems in its own forest

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), which serves as New Zealand's forestry watchdog, is facing a court order initiated by the Gisborne District Council. The legal action follows ongoing concerns regarding the management of the Tokararangi Forest, which is under the Ministry's oversight.

The Gisborne District Council reports that the Ministry has failed to address persistent environmental issues at the site, specifically citing problems with slash, sediment, and erosion. The council states that these legal proceedings were pursued only after repeated attempts to resolve the compliance issues with the Ministry directly were unsuccessful.