Our Story

Matariki Forests is proud to own and manage some of New Zealand’s most iconic and sustainably managed plantation forests. As the country’s third-largest forestry company, we manage approximately 116,000 hectares across five key forestry regions.

Our roots in New Zealand date back to 1988, when Rayonier Inc entered the market following the Government’s privatisation of the Forest Service. Initially focused on log exports, the company purchased its first forest in 1991, laying the foundation for long-term investment in New Zealand’s forestry sector.

Matariki Forests* was established in 2005 through a joint venture that combined Rayonier’s forestry assets with forests acquired from Carter Holt Harvey. In 2025, Rayonier sold its stake in Matariki Forests to The Rohatyn Group, a global investment firm specialising in emerging markets and real assets, with a longstanding presence in New Zealand forestry.

We are also a joint venture partner in AVA Timber, a leading New Zealand-based log exporter that connects forest owners directly with international end users.

Today, Matariki Forests continues to thrive as one of New Zealand’s leading forestry companies, proudly owned 77% by The Rohatyn Group and 23% by Stafford Capital Partners.

*Matariki Forests was named to recognize the Māori name for the Pleiades constellation which appears above the horizon in early June signifying the start of the Māori New Year. Traditionally this is the time when new crops are planted – or, in Matariki Forests’ case, new trees – and the beginning of a new cycle of growth.

Matariki Forests provide a full range of forestry services from establishment and silviculture to harvesting, marketing and a specialist export marketing team. In fact, we are the largest New Zealand forest owner with a New Zealand based in-house export marketing function through the AVA Timber joint venture.

We work with a diverse group of owners and a range of land tenure arrangements, from freehold and leasehold to Crown land and joint ventures. As land is returned to Iwi, business partnership opportunities are being explored and developed.

Matariki Forests harvests approximately 2 million cubic meters per year of timber from its own estate. Distribution is balanced between both the domestic and international markets.

Leading-edge technology and tools combined with the development of customised applications and investment in genetics and forest nutrition are all focused on improving growing methods, productivity and financial performance.

We are committed to responsible forest management practices and demonstrate this through Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and Program of the Endorsement of Forest Certification Standards (PEFC™) which guide our social, economic and environmental practices.

Health and safety is a priority in our organisation, and we continuously strive to improve our practices and processes that support a culture of safety and wellbeing for all employees, contractors, and stakeholders.  

Our people are at the heart of our success and we strive to deliver a meaningful and engaging experience for our employee and contractor workforce.