Background and Experience

Southern Forestry Ltd was set up in 1993 to manage the increasing demand for high quality forestry investments. The company has established and manages 8 properties in both the North and South Island totalling around 1,500ha. In addition the directors individually manage a number of forest investments set up prior to 1993. Southern Forestry Ltd has also undertaken pre-purchase investigatory/ due diligence work for foreign investors purchasing larger existing forest investments in New Zealand.

Major assignments undertaken by Southern Forestry include:

2002

• Completion of due diligence plus providing inputs for business plan relating to purchase of Rayonier NZ Ltd east coast forests by Huaguang Forest Co Ltd.
• Ongoing forest management and reporting to investors on eight forests in New Zealand.

2001

• Undertaking investigations and due diligence for the US$63 million purchase of Rayonier NZ Ltd east coast forests by Huaguang Forest Co Ltd. This involved mobilisation of a team of 5 consultants to undertake the specialised analysis of mapping, forest inventory/ yields and markets/ costs.
• Management of the harvesting and marketing of a large South Canterbury plantation forest.

2000

• Investigations for an overseas client for log and woodchip supplies.
• Undertaking investigations and due diligence for the purchase of a Rayonier NZ Ltd Marlborough Sounds forest for a potential offshore investor.

1998 & 1999

• Ongoing forest management and reporting to investors on eight forests in New Zealand. This has included the supervision, management and monitoring of large establishment and silvicultural programmes associated with the eight forests.

1997

• Investigations and successful public prospectus for investment in Glenhaven Forestry Partnership. This involved the purchase of 249 ha of land in North Canterbury, and planting the property in Radiata pine.

1996

• Investigations and feasibility reports on behalf of a foreign investor into two Canterbury properties suitable for Douglas fir investment.

1995

• Investigations and feasibility report on behalf of a group of UK based foreign investors into a Hawkes Bay property (Mohaka Bridge). This was followed by purchase and subsequent planting of the 93 ha property.
• Investigations and feasibility report on behalf of a charitable organization seeking a long term investment, into a Hawkes Bay property (Mohaka Coach Road). This was followed by purchase and subsequent planting of the 147 ha property.

1994

• Investigations and feasibility report on behalf of a charitable organization seeking a long term investment, into a Hawkes Bay property (Willowford). This was followed by purchase and subsequent planting of the 280 ha property.
• Investigations and feasibility report on behalf of a Swiss based foreign investor into a North Canterbury property. This was followed by purchase and subsequent planting of the 90 ha property.

1993

• Investigations and successful public prospectus for investment in Sulphur Springs Forestry Partnership. This involved the purchase of 168 ha of land (with some existing forest) in North Canterbury, and planting the property in Radiata pine.
• Investigations and successful public prospectus for investment in Port Levy Forestry Partnership. This 319 ha property on Banks Peninsula was planted in Radiata pine.