New Zealand's forests are one of its greatest natural resources, with significant financial, physical and spiritual value (DOC, 2013). These forests provide a significant commercial resource (Perry, Oren, & Hart, 2008), directly influence the quality of soil and flora (West, 2006), and contribute to the cultural health of Māori by enhancing their whakapapa (or “connection” to the land ) (Gallagher & Te Atawhai o te Ao, 2011). This resource, however, is under threat due to poor management (Levack, Poole, & Bateson, 2006), overexploitation (MPI, 2003), and operational conditions of the forestry industry (ACC, 2007). This assignment will examine the impact that deforestation may have on New Zealand and possible models for rectifying the situation. For the purposes of this assignment, attention will be given to the effects of the pine forestry industry on a national scale, but Tokoroa will be used as the main example, to connect these generic problems to a 'real' population. The New Zealand forestry industry uses New Zealand woodlands as a financial resource through deforestation and exporting the resulting timber to over 30 countries. (MFE, 2006). It is a government, economic and environmental issue affecting the whole of Aotearoa/New Zealand (MPI, 2013). It provides a significant portion of the country's financial stability, as calculated by the MPI (2012), a gross national income of approximately five billion dollars per year, and directly employs approximately 6,910 workers. (MPI, 2014). Industry is one of the most dangerous work environments according to Bentley, Parker, Ashby, Moore, & Tappin, (2002), due to the use of dangerous machinery, as well as the additional dangers of uneven surfaces. ..... middle of paper ...... and trees growing in the Waikato region: Trees on Farms. Retrieved April 19, 2014, from http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/PageFiles/3354/section1.pdfWaikato Regional Council (2007, July). Your guide to land conversion using best environmental management practices: from forest to agriculture. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/PageFiles/19395/ForestryToFarm.pdf‎: ISBN 978-0-478-29572-6 (Online)Waikato Regional Council (2014). Threats to native plants and animals. Retrieved April 19, 2014, from http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Environment/Natural-resources/Biodiversity/Threats-to-native-plants-and-animals/West, P. W. (2006). Growing plantation forests. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. World Health Organization (WHO) (2014, March). Quality and health of ambient (outdoor) air. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/