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WorkSafe Snapshot

FICA meets with the WorkSafe forestry inspectorate team every six weeks to discuss emerging industry issues, enforcement trends and areas of concern.WorkSafe completed 526 forestry assessments during 2025/26, with 25% resulting in enforcement action and a total of 207 enforcement measures issued.The key enforcement areas were:Mobile plant and vehicle safety (26%) including traffic management failures, rollover risks and unsafe machinery. Hazardous substances (17%) including shortcomings in ...

A Practical Win on the Living Wage

FSC has formally approved and published an interpretation of the New Zealand Forest Stewardship Standard that recognises the living wage agreement negotiated between FICA and First Union. The interpretation is effective immediately and can now be applied by FSC auditors. Until now, uncertainty around FSC requirements meant some auditors interpreted the standard as requiring every worker, including trainees, to be paid the full living wage. This created a major barrier to training, as contra...

Forestry Gets a Seat at the Table with Competenz 2.0

Workplace vocational training will move to the new Competenz 2.0, a decision endorsed by the FICA/NZFOA Forestry Training Committee. It is designed to ensure forestry retains strong industry influence over training delivery and future workforce development. The new arrangement will provide forestry with a dedicated training team, a Head of Forestry role, continued access to trainers and assessors, and direct industry input through the Forestry Training Committee. Forestry will also particip...

Your data is giving FICA a Stronger Voice

Our Financial Health Survey is the most comprehensive snapshot we’ve ever collected and confirms many of the issues contractors have been raising for some time, including profitability pressures, rising costs, workforce challenges, and concerns about the future resilience of the sector. The FICA Board has agreed that the benefits of releasing high-level survey findings to members outweigh any potential risks, which are considered limited, provided appropriate safeguards are maintained.&nb...

Tower Inspector Workshop

Following strong interest from across the industry, FICA is pleased to confirm that the inaugural Forestry Tower Inspectors Workshop will be held on Thursday 10 September 2026 at Rydges Wellington Airport, from 9:00am to 3:00pm.The workshop has been developed primarily for forestry tower inspectors and will provide an opportunity to discuss inspection methodologies, certification and regulatory updates, tower modifications, lessons learned from the field, and opportunities to improve consistency...

ACC invoices are coming – what businesses need to know about levy changes

With ACC employer invoicing coming up, businesses need to be aware of changes to how ACC levies are now calculated, following recommendations from the 2024 levy consultation and agreement by Government. This means levy invoices may look different this year.These changes are designed to make levies fairer and easier for businesses to understand. The impact will vary depending on each business and how its levy is paid.Interest now applies to all new plansAll instalment plans now use the same annua...

Lost workdays continue to have an impact on New Zealand business

ACC has released its annual ‘Injuries in New Zealand’ report, providing insights into how New Zealanders are getting injured and the impact those injuries have on people, workplaces and communities.Each year, ACC accepts more than two million injury claims. Behind every one of those claims is a person whose life has been disrupted - often affecting their ability to work, support their whānau and stay connected to everyday life.Injuries continue to have a significant impact on businesses, wo...

Tairawhiti Forestry Action Group Meeting

During a recent trip to Tairāwhiti, I spent a day attending the Tairāwhiti Forestry Action Group (TFAG) meeting. FICA holds a seat at this table through a Ministerial appointment. TFAG was originally tasked with assisting in the clean-up of woody debris following severe weather events, but its broader objective is to help de-risk catchments across the region.While much of the downstream clean-up work has now been completed, the focus has shifted to the upper catchments behind forest ...

Growing Pressure from Regulation

During a visit to Tairāwhiti in early August, I met with a number of other contractors. A recurring theme was the ongoing impact of consenting delays and what many perceive as increasingly burdensome compliance requirements from Gisborne District Council.The anecdotal feedback I have been hearing is now supported by data collected through FICA's July 2026 Contractor Financial Health Survey.The survey shows contractors in Tairāwhiti are experiencing significantly greater financial pressure than...

Tairawhiti – Productivity is bigger than the Crew 

Tony Hill of Hill Logging picked me up at 6:00am for a visit to his steep country winch-assist (SWY) operation east of Mangatu Forest. Many readers will know Tony through his role as NZ Logger Magazine's "Iron Tester".Tony comes from a logging family originally based in Tokoroa. When his father's contract ended, the family relocated to Tairāwhiti and Tony has spent much of his career on the East Coast, most recently working for Ricky Kuru before establishing his own business. Like many contract...

Forestry confirms vocational training partnership with Competenz

New Zealand's forestry sector has confirmed it will align its workplace vocational training with the new Engineering and Manufacturing Private Training Establishment (PTE), operating under Competenz.The decision follows extensive consultation with employers, contractors and training providers, led by the New Zealand Forest Owners Association (NZFOA) and Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) joint Forestry Training Committee (FTC).The NZFOA and FICA have endorsed the move, saying it prov...

FICA E-newsletter - July 2026

In this update: Message from CEO Rowan Struthers Market Update Back to my roots - Kawerau and Taupo Excursion Upcoming Events FICA AGM Women in Forestry Nelson End of Year Rolling Retro Roadshow Cambridge FICA Return to Regional Awards with Crew of the YearProductivity Workshops Productivity Workshop at HarvestTech + Wood Transport Logistics Forestry Tower Inspectors Workshop Proposed Shape the Future of Silvi Business Management Vocati...

Competenz Micro Training

Building forestry skills doesn't have to mean time away from the mahi.Competenz forestry micro-credentials are short, practical, and designed to fit around the job, not stop it.Five programmes on offer:Chainsaw Use in a Non-Forestry Production EnvironmentChainsaw Use in Forestry ProductionForestry Operations – Health, Safety and EnvironmentForestry Operations – Plant Plantation TreesForestry Operations – Log ScalingEach one is NZQA-approved and earns nationally recognised credits — and a...

Connecting in Canterbury

When I got a call from CWCWC (Canterbury West Coast Wood Council) Chair Glen Moir, inviting me to present at the CWCWC members’ event, I didn’t need much convincing.I had looked at the National Exotic Forest Description (NEFD) for the region, so I was aware that wood supply had peaked and is now contracting quite rapidly. For contractors, that means less certainty of work, more competition for what is available, and real challenges maintaining crews and utilisation.At the same time, that red...

FICA E-newsletter - June 2026

In this update: Message from CEO Rowan Struthers Industry Snapshot: Market and Operating Environment Connecting in Canterbury Upcoming EventsFICA Election and AGM - 12 August, online  Women in Forestry - 26-27 August, Nelson Retro Roadshow End of Year Event - 19-21 November, Cambridge Member Support and Advocacy Contractor Financial Health Check - 46 responses so far Improving Production Workshop Wrap Up N3 Savings Report Training:...

Logger Mag - June 2026

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 E-newsletter - May 2026

In this update: Message from CEO Rowan Struthers Visiting the back-blocks of Whangarei - Peter Davies-Colley, The Tree PeopleWhangarei Fry Up Contractor BreakfastSkipps Logging Achieves Canopy Class Certification with Safetree Contractor Financial Health Check Let's Have a Say on Innovation Research Update your info with FICA 10th Worker Certification for Logger Mark Brown One News Coverage - What did Rowan Say? FGR Roundup of Tech Reports Q1 2026 N3 ...

Visiting the back-blocks of Whangarei with Peter Davies-Colley (The Tree People)

If you’re in Northland, you’ve probably heard the name Peter Davies-Colley (The Tree People) mentioned more than once or twice. Passionate about Northland and Forestry, Peter is a member of NZFFA and a recent appointment to the FGLT Board. He also rejoined as a FICA member in 2024 after a hiatus. I have a long-standing connection with the region, having spent five years in Northland earlier in my career. While based in Auckland, Peter’s younger brother Tony was once my biggest competitor i...

Ports of Auckland Case - What it means for Contractors

What the Ports of Auckland Case Means for Forestry Contracting Business Owners and Directors: Are You Meeting Your Due Diligence Duties?A recent court decision involving the former CEO of Ports of Auckland is a timely warning for forestry contracting company owners and directors.Following a fatal workplace incident in 2020, the CEO was convicted under the Health and Safety at Work Act — and his appeal was dismissed in April 2026. The case reinforces a clear message: individual leaders can be p...

NZ FOA Welcomes sigining of India Free Trade Agreement

The New Zealand Forest Owners Association welcomes the signing of the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement, saying it marks an important step forward for forest growers, wood processors, exporters and regional communities.New Zealand Forest Owners Association Chief Executive Elizabeth Heeg, who is in India for the signing, says it is an honour to witness the progress of an agreement with such significant potential for New Zealand forestry. “Forest growers welcome the signing of this agreemen...

FICA Logger Mag - May 2026

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...

Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2026 - What Contractors Need to Know

The Government’s Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill proposes changes aimed at reducing compliance burden, improving clarity for businesses, and sharpening the focus on preventing death and serious harm through better critical risk management.FICA supports the overall intent of the Bill. Forestry contracting businesses already operate in one of New Zealand’s highest risk sectors and have long prioritised critical risks through mechanisation, system redesign, competency frameworks, stron...

Managing Slash on Steep Hill Country

Te Uru Rakau recently completed Harvesting Operations Handbook: Managing Slash on Steep Hill Country. This is an abbreviated version of the Slash Risk Management Handbook and is targeted more at contractors and forestry operational staff.FICA had some input into the handbook, particularly with regard to responsibilities on page 3. We believe the key to good slash management is understanding what is required and who is responsibility before a single tree is fallen.Some of the key lines ...

We all need to be advocates

We all need to be advocates for our industry when we get the opportunity.  "Kia ora koutou, Steven and I have been in forestry harvesting for 25 years. This year, we joined the Taupo Chamber of Commerce. Through this, I was offered a seat at a roundtable with Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour and MP Andrew Hoggard. We were told they were keen to hear directly from businesses about red tape issues local businesses are facing.To prepare, I contacted our Women in Forestry Board Chair Sarah D...

Otago Visit - Mike Hurring Training School

As part of the roll-out of the consultation on vocational training, we delivered a presentation in Balclutha for the Southland/Otago region. Of all the vocational training meetings we have had over the past two months the meeting in Balclutha was the most interesting. The real passion for training was apparent, driven by strong collaboration between contractors, forest owners and the local Competenz staff. Apparently, the training activity in Otago/Southland is second only to the CNI (and o...