McClay said facilitator Doug Leeder, former chair of Bay of Plenty Regional Council, will provide advice directly to him about what was needed.
The minister said he was aware of growing sector-wide concern about the council’s approach to land use change, including its use of draft enforcement orders on wood debris and sediment management.
“Stronger compliance measures may well be necessary, however, they must be workable and proportionate, and they must not undermine progress towards land transition.
“Forestry and wood processing matter enormously to Tairāwhiti and to the people employed in them. Industry is telling me it faces decisions it considers unworkable and costly, and growing uncertainty about the future of the sector in the region.
“I am advised this is affecting the willingness of investors to pursue processing ventures, both in Tairāwhiti and elsewhere in the country.”
The forestry industry welcomed the move.
New Zealand Forest Owners Association chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg said Leeder’s appointment provided an opportunity to make progress on difficult questions around land use, woody debris and forestry-related environmental issues.
“Tairāwhiti needs to see decision-making that recognises where land use has to change, while allowing forestry to continue on land where it remains appropriate.
“Bringing government, Gisborne District Council, iwi, communities and industry together with an independent facilitator gives us a practical way to work through those issues.”
Ngāti Porou Forests chairman Whaimutu Dewes said decisions about land use had long-term consequences for iwi landowners and communities.
“For iwi landowners, there is a responsibility to look after the whenua for generations to come, but also to create opportunities for our people on Monday. Forestry supports whānau by generating employment and providing income from whenua to sustain our communities.
“Bringing iwi, communities, government, council and industry together gives us a better chance of making decisions that achieve both.”
Gisborne District Council has been approached for comment.
In 2024, McClay established the Tairāwhiti Forestry Action Group (TFAG) to allow the Government and council to work closely with the sector to remove slash from the district.
The minister said the group had reduced risk across 173km of river network and removed almost 40,000 cubic metres of wood debris from high-risk locations.