Ernslaw One Delays Cyclone Damage Repairs, Court Extends Deadlines
Ernslaw One, a forestry giant with Malaysian roots, has found itself in hot water for the havoc it unleashed on Te Tairāwhiti’s delicate ecosystem with forestry debris. Despite being fined for the catastrophic damage caused during the 2018 cyclones, the company has yet to fully address its forestry processes as required. As a result, the Environment Court has been compelled to grant extensions, further postponing peace of mind for a region bracing for cyclone season.
A Dominant Force in Forestry Industry
Ernslaw One, a significant player in New Zealand’s forestry sector, manages a vast empire of 100,000 hectares of forest, including substantial holdings in Ūawa/Tolaga Bay and the West Ho forest within the Gisborne District. The company is under the umbrella of the Oregon investment company owned by the Tiong family, who also possess New Zealand King Salmon and The Neil Group.
Environmental Catastrophe Unleashed
In the aftermath of a severe storm over Queen’s Birthday weekend in June 2018, significant environmental harm was inflicted, with sediment, slash, and logging debris from the Ūawa Forest spilling into water bodies, streams, rivers, and ultimately Tolaga Bay. Approximately 47,000 cubic meters of woody debris ended up on Tolaga Bay, with an additional 400,000 cubic meters left throughout the Ūawa catchment area.
Deadlines Extended Due to Non-Compliance
Following a breach of the Resource Management Act 1991, Ernslaw was fined $225,000 in 2022 and ordered to pay $130,000 in reparations to affected families. The Environment Court imposed enforcement on Ernslaw, Timbergrow, and Chiong Yong Tiong in August last year, mandating compliance with specific orders in the West Ho Forest of Tolaga Bay. However, as of November, the Gisborne District Council found non-compliance in several areas of the forest, prompting the need for deadline extensions.
Extension and Compliance Orders
Chief Environment Court Judge David Kirkpatrick extended the order concerning the West Ho Forest, setting compliance targets to be met by the end of August. These targets include the removal of slash and waste logging from skid site edges by February 14 and the completion of water controls to prevent erosion by February 28. Ernslaw’s chief executive, Darren Munn, has been tasked with overseeing the monitoring role until the necessary works are fulfilled.
The Burden of Fear on Communities
Mana Taiao Tairāwhiti (MTT) voiced concerns to the court, emphasizing that delays in rectifying issues posed additional risks with potentially disastrous consequences. MTT highlighted that incomplete work continues to weigh heavily on communities, instilling fear and uncertainty.
In conclusion, Ernslaw One’s failure to address environmental damage promptly has led to court-ordered extensions, highlighting the ongoing challenges in restoring the affected areas. The clock is ticking for Ernslaw to fulfill its obligations and mitigate the environmental impact before the next cyclone season hits.