Tuesday, February 10, 2026
A severe windstorm struck Otago–Southland in October, causing significant damage to plantation forests. Speeds reached up to 150kph, leaving scattered pockets of destruction across coastal estates. According to the New Zealand Forest Service, the storm affected between 1,500 and 2,000 hectares of forest in the region.
City Forests, which manages a 25,000-hectare estate across Otago–Southland, reported the loss of approximately 500 hectares, mainly in South Otago’s coastal forests. Wenita Forest Products also confirmed around 250 hectares of damage, concentrated in the same coastal belt.
Despite the scale of the storm, City Forests chief executive Grant Dodson stated that the region avoided the extreme weather experienced elsewhere in New Zealand. He noted that occasional tree losses are normal, but the pattern this time was unusual.
“The most destructive period lasted less than an hour,” Dodson said. “Damage appeared in gullies and on ridges in a highly irregular pattern.”
Many trees affected were already scheduled for harvesting within the next five years. This allowed crews to focus on salvaging windthrown timber quickly. Operations are expected to return to normal within a year. Dodson added that fully mechanised logging crews have improved safety during recovery.
“Farmers and landowners must exercise caution when handling toppled trees,” he warned. “Trees under tension can release huge energy when cut, posing serious hazards.”
Wenita Forest Products chief executive David Cormack described their damage as mostly confined to two blocks south of Dunedin, Berwick and Otago Coast. “The impact was sporadic, with heavily damaged pockets alongside areas barely affected,” he explained.
Cormack said the immediate priority is salvaging radiata pine snapped off at the stem. The quality of these trees declines rapidly once on the ground. Trees that remain standing can survive longer, giving crews more time to manage recovery efficiently.
Salvage operations are expected to continue for several months. Wenita plans to harvest undamaged trees next to wind-thrown areas to restore uniformity in affected stands. In total, around 500 hectares will be harvested as a direct result of the storm.
The windstorm highlights the vulnerability of coastal plantation forests to extreme weather events. Both City Forests and Wenita are focused on reducing long-term impact while maintaining operational safety and timber quality.
Mechanised logging and modern salvage techniques have been crucial in limiting potential losses. “The technology and skilled crews enable faster recovery and safer operations,” Dodson explained.
The forestry industry in Otago–Southland has been closely monitoring weather-related risks, as plantation forests are a key resource for timber production. Salvaging windthrown timber ensures that quality timber can still enter the market despite natural disasters.
Industry analysts note that storms like this may become more frequent due to changing weather patterns. Preparing estates with modern infrastructure and recovery plans will be critical to mitigate economic losses.
City Forests and Wenita both emphasise the importance of coordinated operations with regional forestry authorities. Timely assessments and logging strategies are essential to recover timber while ensuring worker safety.
Both companies are also planning long-term stand management to replace lost trees and maintain plantation uniformity. These measures aim to support ongoing timber supply and sustainable forest management in the region.
The October windstorm caused widespread, though patchy, damage across Otago–Southland forests. Recovery is underway, with emphasis on safety, salvage efficiency, and long-term forest resilience. Operations are expected to stabilise within a year, with lessons learned to improve preparedness for future weather events.
News and image source-
Read more news on Forestry
Stay ahead, stay informed. Follow us on LinkedIn.
Tags: coastal plantation damage, forest storm impact New Zealand, forestry salvage operations, New Zealand forestry exports, New Zealand plantation forests, Otago–Southland, Timber Industry, wood and panel, woodworking, woodworking industry
Comments: