The partnership will focus on upgrading New Zealand’s National Exotic Forest Description (NEFD), using Bioeconomy Science Institute technology, expertise and analytics to ensure it remains fit for purpose in a rapidly evolving data environment.

The NEFD is a key annual dataset that outlines plantation forest area by species, age, and location. Its insights support wood supply forecasting, climate reporting, policy development, and investment planning across the forestry sector.

“By moving from traditional survey-based reporting to spatial data analysis, the improved process will deliver more timely and higher quality information to government, industry, and researchers, strengthening evidence-based decision making,” says MPI Director Forestry Insights Debbie Ward.

“The planned improvements are a major step forward and will ensure the NEFD continues to provide accurate and consistent information about the country’s exotic forest estate. This will reduce reporting pressure on forest owners and survey participants while improving the precision and depth of national forestry insights.”