Poplar and willows are exotic to New Zealand and have been introduced over the last 160 years for hill country soil erosion control, riverbank protection, shade, windbreaks and woodlot forestry. During the 1960's and 1970s over two million poplars were planted in government subsidized planting has declined dramatically in the late 1980's and 1990's with the emphasis shifting to sustainable land management systems. Radiata pine affoestation, poplar silvipastoral systems, and various plant combinations including poplars and willows for riparian management were introduced. To prevent long term degradation by soil erosion, there is a need to develop economic poplar silvipastoral systems on at least one million hectares of New Zealand pastoral lands. New Zealand research effort is refocusing on obtaining the necessary information to ensure that this is a viable option for farmers.