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FICA E-newsletter - September 2025

In our latest FICA update, we're covering:Market Update Waitomo Fuel Outlook ACOP - What you Need To KnowSafety Systems Work When Grounded in Reality (Message from Amy Satherley) FICA AGM Wrap UpCosting Workshop Gisborne - SOLD OUT PFAS Foam Restrictions Finalised Immigration Update Safety Charter AI and Wearable Tech Queenstown Tickets Hear from our Sponsors Weiler Waratah ...

Top 10 ACOP Changes for Contractors

The 2025 ACOP introduces a more risk-based, system-focused approach aligned with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Here are the top ten changes contractors should be aware of:Legal Framework Shift – Based on HSWA 2015, with clearer PCBU duties.Modular Structure – Six-part layout with practical tools and checklists.Worker Health & Wellbeing – Covers fatigue, mental health, UV, vibration, and noise.Worker Engagement – Requires formal participation in safety decisions.Drugs & ...

ACOP - WorkSafe Roadshow Workshops

The new ACOP comes into effect immediately. WorkSafe has confirmed its intent to support the sector through education and engagement—not enforcement—during the initial rollout and has scheduled regional workshops to help contractors and businesses understand the new ACOP. ...

Message to Contractors: Understanding the New ACOP

The new ACOP 2025 is now in effect. While it replaces the 2012 version, it doesn’t introduce radical new rules—rather, it reframes how we think about health and safety responsibilities in line with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).What’s Changed—and What Hasn’tThe new ACOP is less prescriptive in language (e.g. “shall” is gone), but not less enforceable.You’re not required to follow the ACOP word-for-word—but you must implement practices that are at least as good a...

PFAS Foam Restrictions Finalised

The EPA’s final deadline for phasing out PFAS-containing firefighting foams is 3 December 2025, ending all contained use of PFOA-related compounds in New Zealand.At the recent CNIWC H&S meeting, fire experts Alastair Ramsey and Steve Smith from PSL Fire and Safety—confirmed that most suppliers have already transitioned to non-PFAS extinguishing agents.The industry appears well-positioned ahead of the deadline. If you have any questions contact Alastair on 021 5615 417. Thanks t...

Immigration Update

We’re pleased to share a major milestone in our ongoing immigration advocacy efforts, that marks a turning point for workforce stability in the silviculture sector.Last month, Immigration New Zealand announced the introduction of new seasonal work visas, designed to support employers who rely on seasonal labour. These visas will replace the Special Purpose Visa (SPV) in December, offering silviculture contractors an additional tool to source capacity alongside the existing Accredited Employer ...

Safety Systems Work When Grounded in Reality

“Safety systems only work when they’re grounded in reality” – that was the key message from Amy Satherley, Director of ATS Logging, while speaking on behalf of contractors at the Spotlight on Safety Event, held in Palmerston North on Tuesday 26th August.Organised by FICA, the event brought together 150+ guests from across the industry, including forestry and haulage contractors, forest management, regulators and Government representatives. Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Hon....

Safetree Certification and the New ACOP

Safetree Certification and the New ACOP: What Principals and Forest Owners Need to KnowSafetree Certification is now formally referenced within the updated Approved Code of Practice (ACOP), reinforcing its role in promoting safe and capable forestry operations.During the ACOP’s development, the industry strongly advocated for mandatory certification—both for contractors and for critical safety roles such as tree falling and breaking out. While current legislation did not allow for mandatory ...

ACOP Comparison

Chayne Zinsli (Summit Forests) has completed a comparison of the 2012 and 2025 versions of the ACOP. ...

FICA Logger Mag - September 2025

Want to listen to our FICA Logger Mag updates instead of reading them? Here's how:1. Update your settings (phones / tablets) or install this free audio reader extension (desktop / laptop):a. iPhone: To use the built-in text-to-speech feature on your iPhone, go to:Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content and enable "Speak Selection" or "Speak Screen" to have the iPhone read selected text or the entire screen aloud, respectively.b. Samsung: To activate and customize the text-to-sp...

Immigration NZ Roundup - August 2025

Here is a summary of recent key operational and policy updates about the immigration system. Please note this is not an exhaustive list of updates. For more information about any of the updates below, please visit the relevant page on INZ’s website....

ACoP and Health and Safety when Managing a Small Forest Harvest Good Practice Guidelines Launched

At the Spotlight on Safety Event held in Palmerston North on Tuesday 26th August, the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Hon. Brooke van Velden officially launched new guidance for forestry. This included:the Approved Code of Practice [ACOP] for Forestry and Harvesting Operations, andthe Health and Safety when Managing a Small Forest Harvest Good Practice Guidelines (GPG)The guidance is now in effect and available on the WorkSafe website....

FICA e-newsletter - August 2025

In our latest FICA update, we're covering:Market Update Waitomo Fuel Outlook Spotlight on Safety and 2025 FICA AGM Queenstown Contractor Christmas - Tickets Selling FastTasman Trip: Listening, Learning, Connecting Tower / Yarder Certification - What You Need To Know Collaborating on Safety Guidance: Kohurau Contracting Tairawhiti Standing Consents Under Scrutiny Gisborne Site Visit: Aratu Forestry Operations Giving Voice to the Coast: Ricky Kuru at NZIF 20...

Collaborating on Safety Guidance

The recent sentencing of Kohurau Contracting—following a serious safety breach that left a forestry worker with life-altering injuries—has prompted action across the sector. FICA and FISC have committed to supporting these efforts to collectively develop a new safety alert and guidance.The incident, which occurred in August 2021 near Waipu, involved a fractured stabiliser ram and the catastrophic failure of a tower system during cable winching operations, resulting in the worker having ...

Tairawhiti Standing Consents Under Scrutiny

Over the past month, FICA has been actively engaged in a renewed dialogue with Gisborne District Council (GDC) regarding standing consents, which continue to place unsustainable pressure on contractors and forest owners.GDC has agreed to reopen consultation on seven of the most contentious conditions. This includes the zero discharge requirement for sediment and woody debris, and the impractical 15m² cut-over rule—both of which have been cited as key contributors to contractor insolvency and ...

Logger Mag - August 2025

Want to listen to our FICA Logger Mag updates instead of reading them? Here's how:1. Update your settings (phones / tablets) or install this free audio reader extension (desktop / laptop):a. iPhone: To use the built-in text-to-speech feature on your iPhone, go to:Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content and enable "Speak Selection" or "Speak Screen" to have the iPhone read selected text or the entire screen aloud, respectively.b. Samsung: To activate and customize the text-to-sp...

FICA Constitution Vote - 2025 Annual General Meeting

FICA Members are advised that a vote will be held at the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Forest Industry Contractors Association Incorporated Society, to adopt a new constitution under the The Incorporated Societies Act 2022. Members are invited to review and understand the proposed new constitution. The draft constitution document is available for download below. ...

Blown Away - Managing a plantation forest salvage operation following a major windthrow event

This report provides a summary of how the NZFM team approached and managed the salvage operation of windthrow in the Central North Island plantation forest, and some of the key learnings from it. Forest managers faced with a major windthrow event in future may find this record of NZFM’s experiences useful....

Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough flood recovery

Flooding across the Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough areas in mid-2025 caused extensive damage. Support is available to help the primary sector and support rural communities with the clean-up and recovery....

FICA E-newsletter - July 2025

In our latest FICA update, we're covering:Market Update Waitomo Fuel Outlook Spotlight on Safety and 2025 FICA AGM FICA Election - Nominations Open Now Queenstown Contractor Christmas - Tickets Selling FastPractical Slash Management Guidance Immigration Advocacy - Securing Workforce Stability through Silviculture Recognition AI and Wearable Tech - Step Change in Managing Manual Tree Falling Steady at the Helm - Ange McEwan, Blackstump LoggingACC Recovery at Wor...

CNIWC Forestry Awards

The CNI Wood Council Forestry Awards aim to celebrate achievements, strengthen the industry, and underscore the vital economic value that forestry brings to the Central North Island. This year's awards will be held in Rotorua on Friday 31 October. We encourage members to put your names forward and showcase the awesome innovations and people within your businesses. ...

Practical Slash Management Guidance

In collaboration with MPI, FICA has played a pivotal role in the development of the Managing Slash on Steep Hill Country Harvesting Operations Manual. This targeted manual offers a practical, operational tool designed to support contractors, forest managers, and regulators in managing slash risk in challenging terrain.FICA’s feedback focused on improving usability and aligning guidance with field realities—especially for contractors whose primary concern is managing slash during active harve...

AI and Wearable Tech

FICA is proud to announce a groundbreaking initiative that has received universal support across the industry—leveraging AI and wearable technology to transform the management of manual tree falling.Addressing the Unseen RisksManual tree falling remains one of the most hazardous tasks in forestry. While audits can confirm a faller’s competence, the real challenge lies in what happens when no one is watching—99% of the time. Tragically, many incidents occur when critical safety rules are br...

Immigration Advocacy

We are pleased to share a critical milestone in our ongoing efforts to safeguard forestry workforce stability: the Silviculture Operator role has now been officially included in the July 2025 National Occupation List (NOL) as a Level 3 role.This is a major step forward and reflects the value placed on the skills and experience of our silviculture workforce.Why This MattersInclusion in the NOL now allows current Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders in silviculture roles to extend their vi...

ACC Recovery at Work Trial - Register Interest

When an employee gets injured, it can have a significant impact on them, their workmates and their workplace.ACC data shows that over 18 million workdays were lost in New Zealand due to injury last year. And the longer an injured person is away from work, the less likely they are to return to their job. This can have a significant negative impact on both the worker and your business.Join the Safetree trial, in collaboration with ACC, to improve the process of employees returning to work after in...