NZ Institute Of Forestry Congratulates Former President

NZ Institute Of Forestry Congratulates Former President On New Year Honour

The New Zealand Institute of Forestry Inc (NZIF) congratulates former President, William (Bill) Studholme on being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honour’s list.

The President of the Institute, Dr Andrew McEwen, noted that the honour recognises Bill’s significant contributions to forestry in New Zealand.

Mr Studholme joined the NZIF in early 1966 and advanced to Full Member in 1976. In 1988 he was elected as one of the inaugural group of NZIF Fellows - members who are recognised by their peers as having achieved eminence in the profession.

Bill was not content to sit back and let others manage his professional body. He was elected NZIF Secretary in 1978 and held the position for four years. Following two years as a Councillor he served as President from 1984 to 1986. Altogether he served on the Council (a voluntary and unpaid position) for eight years.

Bill’s time as President was a period of change for New Zealand foresters. In the early 1980s, over 70% of NZIF members worked for the New Zealand Forest Service (a government department). In 1985 the government decided to disestablish the Forest Service, to transfer production forests to a new State Enterprise, conservation and protection forests to a new Department of Conservation and to establish a new forestry agency (Ministry of Forestry) to continue with research and other government forestry functions. These changes created much uncertainty amongst NZIF members (and lead to job losses for many of them). The NZIF Council, led by Bill, was being called on to do what it could to ease the process for members and to ensure that the importance of forestry to New Zealand was still recognised by politicians and officials.

Apart from his time on the NZIF Council, Bill has been a contributor to the NZ Journal of Forestry and an active supporter of the Canterbury section of the Institute.

Bill has also been active in other areas of the forestry sector. He was on the executive of the NZ Forest Owners Association for many years, he served on advisory committees for the Forest Research Institute (now known as Scion) and the University of Canterbury’s School of Forestry and he has been actively involved in the National Rural Fire Association and the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association.

All professions and professional bodies rely on willing and voluntary support from their members. Without such support these bodies would wither away and the profession and the country would be poorer for it. Bill was one of those who rose to the challenge and willingly gave of his time, experience and knowledge to support his profession and his professional body.

“New Zealand forestry and New Zealand has benefitted from Bill’s involvement in this way and I am delighted that he has been recognised in the New Year Honours”’ said Dr McEwen.

The Institute also congratulates member Murray Sherwin, former Chief Executive of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on being made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honour’s list

ENDS

© Scoop Media