The Government has ordered an inquiry into forestry slash's capacity for damage following Cyclone Gabrielle.

Forestry Minister Stuart Nash says current forestry practices have clearly caused more damage in Hawke's Bay and Gisbourne.

Lincoln University professor Dr Jacqueline Rowarth says an inquiry into forestry practices should have been carried out years ago.

"What we've seen from this recent event is that it's not just slash, it's actually the silt. We have fragile, recent soils in New Zealand and they come off the hills when there's bare soil. We've got to get some cover on there."

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