About us

Our mission is  to provide landowners with turnkey afforestation solutions that achieve better environmental and economic outcomes

We started Balanced Forestry  because while we know that indigenous forests provide the best ecological and environmental outcome for unused land, we also recognise that landowners require better carbon returns than what indigenous forestry can provide alone. So we set out to help landowners find that right “balance” between ecological outcomes and near and long-term carbon revenues.

We  knew that to achieve our goal we’d need to change the way non-pine forests are established, so we honed and developed large-scale commercial cultivation techniques and applied them to native, and non-wilding exotic forestry species. The result is cheaper plants that are easier and faster to put in the ground, saving you time and money.

We hope that you share our love for New Zealand’s forests and encourage you to get in touch to see how we can help you plant natives and select exotics on your land.

Meet Bronwyn.

Bronwyn Douglas
Managing Director

Phone 027 6666 863
info@balancedforestry.co.nz

Having worked with native trees for the last ten years Bronwyn has seen first-hand the barriers landowners face when trying to plant their land with anything other than pine.  It has been Bronwyn’s mission to bring down the cost of indigenous afforestation and to find practical ways to deliver better carbon returns for landowners.

Bronwyn has a Diploma in Business Management, is a qualified Prince 2 Practitioner and has over 15 years of project management experience with research programmes within the forestry industry. Bronwyn previously managed MPI’s High Performance Manuka Primary Growth Partnership Programme which had 400 ha of trial manuka plantations throughout New Zealand. Bronwyn has also held several project management roles at Scion (New Zealand Forest Research Institute), where her interest in trees was born.

Bronwyn volunteers for the Ngongotaha Stream Care group running their trapping lines, she focuses on catching rats, stoats, and possums for the care group while on her neighbouring properties is reducing the rabbits and the hares that destroy the land and newly planted trees.

Bronwyn lives with her husband in Rotorua, is a keen angler with a key interest in walking our beaches and forests. She has a passion to be a part of the solutions to better environmental practices for land and water in this country and it is her dream to see marginal land that is non-productive in pasture farming be returned to native forest for generations of New Zealanders to appreciate.

  • Client Testimonial

    Balanced Native Forestry NZ exceeded our expectations in our large-scale restoration project. Their commitment to sustainable practices and native ecosystem rejuvenation made them an ideal choice. The exceptional quality of their native seedlings, representing diverse local species, reflects their dedication to preserving New Zealand's biodiversity.

    What sets them apart is not just product quality but comprehensive support. Their knowledgeable staff provided valuable insights into planting strategies, aligning with our values of education and community involvement. Efficient delivery and meticulous packaging demonstrated a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction.

    Beyond excellent products and service, Balanced Native Forestry NZ's sustainability practices resonate with our environmental stewardship values. Responsible sourcing and minimal waste generation make them a fitting partner for organisations with similar commitments.

    Lee W
    Project Manager

  • Client Testimonial

    I am an applied scientist involved for over 40 years researching and promoting best practice establishment and early management of native forests. I have seen many challenges in establishing native forest throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Native afforestation requires an in-depth understanding of the ecological requirements of each species and forest types including site preferences, successional processes and patterns, control of factors such as herbivores and selected weed species, and a long-term commitment to and adequate resourcing of post-establishment management.

    Balanced Forestry produce a range of the key native shrub and species as high-quality forestry grade seedlings for large-scale planting of native forestry. Bronwyn and her team understand that while planting smaller forestry-grade plants keep costs down, optimum site preparation, planting technique and post-planting management are essential. They provide a full service from supply of planting stock to planting and management, implementing best-practice planting and post-planting operations.

    I also continue to work with Balanced Forestry in various joint initiatives to trial new methods and emerging technologies to reduce the cost of establishing natives and improving field performance.

    I have no hesitation in recommending Balanced Forestry as a credible organisation in the supply of good quality native plants and their commitment to promoting best practice establishment and management of native forest for multiple purposes.


    - Dr David Bergin
    Scientist

  • Client Testimonial

    We use Balanced Forestry seedlings as we have the greatest ROI on their supply and less waste which is great plus a price that makes reforestation affordable.

    Ka wani kē koe (you’re awesome).

    Sam S
    Managing Director + Guide