Indufor would like to congratulate Bill Liley on being presented with the Kirk Horn Award at the recent New Zealand Institute of Forestry conference. The Kirk Horn Award is one of the most esteemed honours in New Zealand’s forestry sector and recognises exceptional contributions to forestry. Source: Timberbiz
It is steeped in history, commemorating the legacies of Thomas Kirk, a prominent botanical explorer, and Captain Inches Campbell-Walker, New Zealand’s first Conservator of Forests. Kirk and Campbell-Walker travelled throughout New Zealand in 1876, and at the end of Campbell-Walker’s term as Conservator, he presented Kirk with a suitably engraved and mounted flask.
The flask was offered to the Royal Society in 1967 in the hope the Society might institute a prize for research in New Zealand forest vegetation and forestry, with the flask as a trophy.
In 1988, the Royal Society and the New Zealand Institute of Forestry agreed the Kirk Horn would be passed to the Institute for a two-yearly award recognising outstanding contributions in the field of forestry in New Zealand.
Mr Liley’s journey in forestry began as a teenager, planting trees on family land in the central North Island. With a mind for engineering, he has designed and constructed a 24-metre bridge, flying foxes, and suspension bridges to improve access to forestry blocks.
The family’s efforts, marked by some failures but many more successes, have had a lasting impact. This legacy continues with Mr Liley’s promotion of species like Chinese fir as a viable option for New Zealand’s forests.
Mr Liley has been a steadfast supporter of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry, serving on the valuation committee for over a decade. His expertise in valuations is second to none, and his work has been sought after not just in New Zealand, but throughout the world.
From consulting on numerous projects globally to providing unparalleled valuation services, he has made significant contributions to the international forestry community.
His career has spanned roles at Groome and Associates, LIRO, and Jaakko Poyry, and he is currently Managing Director for as well as a Partner in Indufor Asia Pacific Ltd. Additionally, he has served as a director of the Lake Taupo Forest Management company for 15 years.
Described as “down to earth, highly professional, and an extremely good boss,” Mr Liley is also known for a fierce intellect and a strong embrace of new technology.
Even with such an impressive professional career, Bill continues to work on their own forest, which includes a small sawmill used to process timber from their land. He is a true embodiment of dedication, innovation and passion in New Zealand forestry.
