PF Olsen Purchases Ōwhata 2B and 7 Trust Nursery in Rotorua September 4, 2023

ROTORUA, Friday 1 September 2023: Rotorua Forest Nursery, a company supplying around 15 million per annum of Pinus radiata seedlings in New Zealand, will change ownership after the retirement of its current Chief Executive.

Despite the change, the nursery will operate as usual says Jason Rogers, Chair of Ōwhata 2B and 7 Ahuwhenua Trusts, the Ngāti Te Roro o Te Rangi land trust that leases the whenua to the nursery.

“The nursery employs up to 34 people, so it is an important hub for our iwi and hapori,” he says.

Former Rotorua Forest Nursery CEO and owner, Peter Harington, who has been in the forest industry for more than 40 years, is retiring and has sold his company to PF Olsen, New Zealand’s largest independent forestry service provider. Peter will stay on for a further two years to help with the transition.

“Peter Harington has done an outstanding job for our community, Iwi and the Trusts. This is an end of an era. We welcome our new partner, PF Olsen, who has a long history in the forestry sector,” says Rogers.

Rogers says the changeover will be seamless and the new owners will bring a number of improvements to the nursery operations. In addition, Educational Scholarships will be offered to whānau who are interested in forestry and this relationship will open up pathways for Iwi members wishing to work in the sector.

PF Olsen has delivered a wide range of professional forestry services since 1971 to a diverse range of clients including farmers, investors, iwi, and government agencies.

The services they provide include forest and harvesting management, log sales, consulting (due diligence, valuations, feasibility studies, ETS advice and management), and provision of tree stocks and radiata pine seed.

PF Olsen’s GM Business Services, Wu Khoo, says the company will continue to enhance nursery operational standards and prioritise sound environmental nursery management practices.

“We are committed to doing things well and will build upon the strong foundation Peter and Jenny Harington have established,” says Khoo.

Ōwhata 2B & 7 Ahuwhenua Trusts manage and administer two land blocks of approximately 28 hectares lying closely together on the east side of Rotorua. The lands are owned by the
descendants of the eponymous tupuna, Te Roro o Te Rangi.