Wood Matters

Kia ora everyone

I am feeling very fortunate to be warmly welcomed into the PF Olsen business as the new Environmental Manager.  My beginning with the company heralds the end of Kit Richards’ outstanding environmental leadership and mentoring as he retires.  His knowledge, personable connections and character will be missed by many – I hope with time to bridge the gap Kit will leave and lead PF Olsen’s environmental direction and credentials well into the future. 

Most of my working career has been in the plantation forest industry, with a background in harvest planning (4 years) and 20+ years in environmental and land management, in Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Coromandel, Auckland and the Waikato.  Prior to this, I was with three regional councils around NZ from Southland to the Bay of Plenty.  Working in the forestry industry, I have been involved in major resource consents, development of industry environmental training standards and the Forest Practice Guides under the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry. 

My family keeps me grounded - my husband Dave and two beautiful daughters Ella and Holly.  We live in Whakatu Nelson. 

I have a deeply held philosophy that plantation forestry is the most sustainable primary land use in Aotearoa when it is done with an ethic of kaitiakitanga - respect and care for the environment.  It is not a case of plantation forestry or the environment – they are intrinsically linked.  This thinking, and my Master of Science in Physical Geography, underpin my practical approach to plantation forestry and managing environmental effects.  There has never been a better time to be in plantation forestry – the industry brings significant benefits to New Zealand and is the forefront of NZ’s current climate change mitigation strategies.

I am looking forward to working with the PF Olsen team and clients, and our dynamic environment.

Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Kit for his stellar contribution to both PF Olsen and the wider industry.  He leaves big (tramping) boots to fill, and I wish him every success on his big walk and wherever his feet may take him into the future.  I am sure we’ll see him around.

Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui

ngā mihi

Heather Arnold