WELLINGTON, April 29 (Xinhua) -- A greater role for a public forestry service was outlined in New Zealand on Thursday to drive the focus on regional economic development, skills training, and a low-emissions future.

"Forestry will be a key part of our climate change response. In areas like biofuels, forestry can support our move away from fossil fuels. Innovative building products made from local wood will replace products such as concrete and steel," Forestry Minister Stuart Nash said in a statement.

Nash announced that Forestry New Zealand will be renamed New Zealand Forest Service, and will shift its operational headquarters from Wellington to Rotorua.

"The name change is small but significant. It signals a more hands-on role for a public forestry service, with specialists and advisors working alongside the sector," Nash said.

Planning and advisory capabilities will be stressed within New Zealand Forest Service so it can offer a professional advisory service and share its forestry management expertise, he said.

"It will provide more on-the-ground support to iwi (tribes), private landowners, farm foresters, local councils, timber processors, training institutes, and other forestry organizations," Nash said.

"Farmers, foresters, and conservationists share an objective to plant more trees in the right places, whether to diversify farm incomes, stabilize erosion-prone hills, increase wood supply for processing, or create more permanent indigenous forests for biodiversity or recreational use," he said.

Forestry is New Zealand's third-largest primary exporter by value so it's important that the country keeps innovating to support regional development, drive economic growth and meet its climate and environmental goals, said the minister. Enditem

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