New research indicates New Zealand may be removing more carbon than it produces.

A new study from NIWA has highlighted a potential carbon sink in Fiordland's native forests - and researchers found our environment absorbs at least 170 million tonnes of carbon per year.

NIWA atmospheric scientist Beata Bukosa says it's still unclear where the carbon goes - and more research needs to be carried out.

"It's maybe potentially exported somewhere else, so that's something we still need to figure out."

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