About Crown Forest Land

Learn about LINZ's role in the management of Crown forest licensed land, and other organisations involved.

History of Crown forest land

The Crown has disposed of its interest in the ownership of plantation commercial forestry.

Between 1990 and 1992 the Crown sold the majority of its exotic plantation state forests but retained the land for use in future Treaty of Waitangi settlements. This land is now Crown forest land.

Crown forest land management

LINZ manages the Crown forest land and Crown forestry licences as set out in the Crown Forest Assets Act 1989. The licensees pay rent which is collected by LINZ and transferred to the Crown Forest Rental Trust.

You can check the list of Crown forestry licences or find out more about how to obtain a copy of a Crown forestry licence.

Disposal of Crown forest land & Treaty settlements

LINZ works with the Office of Treaty Settlements and other agencies to transfer Crown forest land in Treaty settlements.

Other organisations

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Crown Forestry Group operates a portfolio of commercial forestry assets on some Crown forest land.