Scion is launching a podcast that delves into the world of indigenous forestry in Aotearoa.

"Branching Out: Reflections on Indigenous Forestry" is a captivating new podcast series hosted by Early Career Researcher Ki-Taurangi Bradford from Scion’s Te Ao Māori team.

Through conversation with special guests, Bradford (Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Hine), will explore the vast knowledge and experiences of researchers who have spent their careers studying indigenous trees.

The idea for Branching Out stemmed from the retirement of Emeritus scientist Greg Steward, a luminary in indigenous forestry with nearly 50 years of experience. Recognising the valuable insights held by Steward, Jonathan Kilgour (Rereahu, Ngā Rauru, Te Roroa and Ngāi Tahu) spearheaded this podcast to capture and share that wisdom with emerging and current researchers.

“Our primary goal is to motivate and inspire more people to delve into indigenous forestry, highlighting the potential innovations that lie within this field,” Kilgour, who leads Scion’s Indigenous Trees for Distinct Value Wood Products portfolio, says.

Throughout the podcast series, listeners will be treated to interviews with experts like Greg Steward that delve deep into their experiences. The podcast aims to amplify their voices, capturing their unique perspectives and sharing their stories with a broader audience. Beyond Steward, the series will feature other guests.

Since the 1920s, exotic radiata pine has been favoured for planting to produce wood for both domestic and export timber markets. While indigenous forests continue to have standing value, there is potential to reinvigorate New Zealand’s indigenous planted forestry sectors for production, albeit not at the scale of exotics nor in the clear-felling approach of current plantation forestry.

“There is a space for other approaches to forestry,” Kilgour says. “Research plays a role in what those potential approaches and models might be, especially as we consider the future of indigenous forestry for production.”

Branching Out will cover a range of topics. Listeners can look forward to discussions on the importance of native trees, the history of indigenous forestry, and the current state of forests and forestry in Aotearoa. The podcast will also address current issues in indigenous forestry and uncover emerging research. Cultural approaches to forests and forestry are discussed as well, reflecting on how these align with Māori values.

As a practitioner in the field, Bradford says she is keen to learn more about the methods that future researchers should adopt.

“Greg has always been very willing to pass on what he knows to other scientists,” she says. “I feel privileged to pick the brains of a range of experts and share that information with people who are interested in growing our knowledge about indigenous forests and the value they offer Aotearoa.”

Additionally, Branching Out will delve into specific topics such as propagation, establishment, transition forestry, provenance, and ecosourcing. The series will also discuss how indigenous forestry fits within the broader context of the circular bioeconomy and what productive indigenous forestry could mean. This approach to productivity is distinct from traditional plantation forestry, emphasising sustainable methods for harvesting and utilising indigenous species.

The series is recorded and edited by research assistant Taiāwhio Bryers (Rereahu, Ngā Rauru. Ngāpuhi, Ngā Ruahine)  who has also composed and played the music featured in each episode.

Taiāwhio says he took inspiration from light shining down through a mature canopy of trees onto young seedlings on the forest floor.

“It is a happy sounding arpeggio that symbolises old growth and knowledge providing shelter to younger generations of seedlings so that they are nurtured to their fullest potential – highlighting also the nature of this podcast.”

Stay tuned - the first episode, featuring Greg Steward, will be released later this month and will be available on Scion’s website and YouTube channel.

Until then, listeners can hear Bradford and Kilgour talk more about the upcoming series in the Branching Out Trailer.