The Eastland Wood Council (EWC) is a trade association formed by the major commercial forestry, wood processing and distribution interests operating within the Tairawhiti Gisborne District. It is strictly a regional organisation with interests similar but with no formal connection to the New Zealand Forest Owners Association, a national body.
The group was started in 2001 when the East Coast Forestry Industry Group (ECFIG) was established and incorporated. Over the next five years ECFIG proved itself as a worthwhile initiative to assist the industry in its objectives. In 2006 a review was undertaken resulting in the group being enhanced and the Eastland Wood Council being formed.
The EWC works to represent or lobby for and on behalf of its members in a range of areas where the objectives of the group can be better achieved when working as a group.
It also performs the important task of providing a ‘forestry’ face to the community at large so that issues affecting the community can be discussed and resolved for the benefit of all.
The operational objectives of the EWC are;
- To enhance the business environment for commercial forestry growing and processing in the Gisborne District and Wairoa District by bringing together relevant persons and companies with a common interest in these enterprises.
- To establish a collective voice of the forestry industry with a view to achieving the industry’s aims collectively rather than individually.
- To provide a forum for members to jointly develop strategies on matters of common interest.
- To engender political and community support for the forestry industry in the districts.