The Forestry Minister has confirmed he is open to an independent inquiry into land management in the Tairawhiti district, but the industry says a long term fix would be expensive.

Wood debris has been washing up on the region's beaches after extreme weather events such as Cyclone Hale.

On Wednesday a 12-year-old boy died at Waikanae Beach in Gisborne when he fell off a floating log and was then hit by it.

Farm Forestry President Graham West told Māni Dunlop the fix could be costly.