The Government has launched a two-month inquiry into land use in Tairāwhiti, Gisborne and Wairoa in response to concerns over the amount of forestry slash in the area.
The inquiry will focus on the impacts of recent weather events, including Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle, as well as earlier events.
The inquiry comes after a petition was submitted by locals who have grown increasingly frustrated with the amount of forestry slash in waterways and on the coast.
The petition calls for action to be taken to address the issue, which has been causing significant environmental damage in the region.
Minister for the Environment, David Parker, announced the inquiry, saying that it was important to understand the impact of land use on the environment, particularly in light of the recent weather events.
"Woody debris and sediment are particular issues for these communities following storms," Parker said.
"More than 10,000 people in Tairāwhiti have petitioned for land use to be better managed. This inquiry is responding to these very real concerns."
The inquiry is set to begin in the coming weeks and will run for two months
