Scott Baistow

Scott Baistow recently joined Pāmu as a Forester in Gisborne, managing diverse forestry operations across the East Coast, from Tolaga Bay to Panekiri near Lake Waikaremoana. His role is key to strategy of sustainable land use at Pāmu, adding value through well-managed forestry integration alongside livestock farming.

For Scott, no two days are the same. His responsibilities range from supervising operations like thinning and pruning to budgeting and planning forestry activities. One day he might be liaising with fellow Pāmu farm staff about track access and pest control, and the next, managing tree planting or pre-spot spraying. Scott says:

And he loves it. Scott's passion for forestry stems from its ever-changing nature. He embraces growing sustainable, financially viable forests where health, safety, and environmental stewardship are prioritized. When asked about his favourite part of the job, Scott highlights working in the outdoors with people and the satisfaction of setting and achieving goals.

Scott's work embodies forestry strategy at Pāmu —using the right tree, in the right place, for the right reasons. He takes pride in seeing others buy into that vision, creating thriving landscapes that balance economic, environmental, and community outcomes. 

He says one of his highlights is:   

His dedication aligns perfectly with the Pāmu commitment to sustainable farming practices, focusing on the best land use for each parcel.

Scott’s journey to Pāmu began at Tūranga Ararau, followed by Waiariki Institute of Technology (now Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology), where he gained his Diploma in Forestry Management. Before joining Pāmu, he worked in several roles in the forestry sector, including as a Harvest Manager at PF Olsen and a Transport Planner at Asset Forestry.

These experiences helped him transition seamlessly into his current role at Pāmu, where he continues to build on his expertise in forestry operations. He values the Pāmu core value of being "Genuine" and takes pride in collaborating with contractors and colleagues who share his dedication to sustainability and innovation in forestry.

Scott sees himself halfway to his ten-year goal in the next five years—growing sustainable forestry that contributes to the broader goals of the business strategy. He’s motivated by the challenge of creating healthy forests and loves the variety and teamwork that comes with his role. His work supports diversification strategy at Pāmu, which aims to integrate forestry as a crucial aspect of achieving the highest and best use of the land, enhancing the resilience and sustainability of New Zealand's agricultural sector.