Our Story
Sustainable Forestry Leaders since 1906
City Forests Limited stands as one of New Zealand's most established and respected forest management companies, with 120 years (and counting!) of sustainable forestry expertise.
Owned by Dunedin City Holdings Limited and ultimately the Dunedin City Council, we operate as a Council Controlled Trading Organisation (CCTO) dedicated to environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and social contribution.
The Company is Governed by an independent board of professional directors appointed by the shareholder.
Leading New Zealand's sustainable Forest Revolution
Our 20,013 hectares of production forest, growing on 25,187 hectares of land within 80km of Dunedin, represents more than timber production, it's a cornerstone of New Zealand's journey toward sustainable land management, enhanced biodiversity and a zero-carbon future.
Through Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC® C008934) certification, we are independently audited each year and continue to demonstrate our commitment to world-class sustainable forest management practices.
Economic Excellence for our Community
Since City Forests' formation in 1990, we've transformed the original $25.7 million investment into $385.6225.6 million in total gains, representing a remarkable 1500978% growth and 8.2% annual return.
Returns include benefits arising from the Dunedin City Holdings Tax group structure, where tax on City Forests profits ($31m to date) is largely paid to the Dunedin Stadium supporting this key part of Dunedin Public Infrastructure.
Environmental Innovation & Biodiversity Protection
As pioneers in sustainable forestry, we manage over 2,400 hectares of permanent native forest reserves, protecting outstanding wetlands and providing habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered species.
Our participation in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme has generated approximately $55 million in carbon credit sales, directly contributing to climate change mitigation.
Community Partnership & Social Responsibility
Our commitment extends beyond forestry to genuine community engagement.
We maintain 57km of public walking and mountain biking tracks, support 13 community groups through access and sponsorship, and contribute $56,000 annually to organisations like Orokonui Eco-Sanctuary, Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust, and Dunedin Wildlife Hospital. We're building stronger partnerships with Mana Whenua, recognising our role in honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
