The Government says new tree planting laws tackle economic and climate issues.

Labour is giving local councils the authority to determine where, and how much, carbon forestry can occur.

The change limits trees used for carbon farming, being planted on productive land.

When asked if it's a climate initiative or a farming initiative, Forestry Minister Peeni Henare told Mike Hosking it's both.

"Farming and forestry have a strong place in our economy in this country and if I compare that to the Nats' policy, they're seeing freeze plantation for forests over the next three years and I don't think that's the way forward."

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