Ernest Morton

Hei ahua manawaroa kia waihotia hei taonga anga mua.

 Ernest is a purpose-driven Forestry Professional with experience in a variety of settings spanning 40+ years which includes employing and training our local people, silviculture, export, purchase of woodlots and forestry management. He specialises both in negotiation and, with a common wairua, bringing a diversity of operations and cultures together that produces results.

During his years as an employer,he worked alongside Worksafe and gained an inside understanding of Northtec and Competenz as training service providers. He also gained a sound understanding of Industry needs and first-hand knowledge of the daily demands from an operational perspective. He knows what currently works for the Forestry Industry, as well as the areas where there is an opportunity to develop further.

Currently, Ernest is Chairman of Taitokerau Māori Forests Collective, trusteeof Ngatihine Forestry Trust, member of the Northern Wood Council and the Northland Forestry Health and Safety Group. These roles all enable him to contribute a fresh way of thinking, and at a level that makes a difference in the industry and a real difference for Māori and Māori Forest owners.

As a Forestry Professional with whakapapa Māori, together with his up-bringing and fluency in Te Reo Māori, Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori, Ernest is committed to realising the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. In particular Tino Rangatiratanga within the Forestry Industry. His lifelong motivation has been to see whanau and hapū thrive alongside Primary Industry and to bring about the restoration of the cohesion of cultures by integrating Tikanga values to leave a legacy of opportunity and growth through discernment, influence, and leadership. This can be achieved by equipping the right people in the right place, at the right time.