Forestry contractors say as many as 1500 forestry workers could be out of a job soon because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson says options are being looked at for moving the workers to conservation jobs in Southland but Forest Industry Contractors Association chief executive Prue Younger says that's unlikely to be a solution.
The Forest Owners Association says a lack of space in Chinese ports is bringing a virtual halt to New Zealand log exports to China.
The association's president is Peter Weir.
