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Waratah - Working around attachments online training

As part of Waratah’s commitment to safety, they have online working around attachments training to help educate your team on the best practices for working safely in the field.Access to the training is free, however the link will only last for 14 days from date of issue. A new link can be provided on request.CLICK HERE to access working around attachments trainingPDF version of this training and other useful documents can be found on the FICA Downloadable Resources page - CLICK HERE...

FICA E-news - September 2023

When I write this newsletter, what's top of mind is the effect of climate change on this world. It's nearly every day there is something monumental happening. The Moroccan earthquake just happened over the weekend and now the discussion about El Nino at the end of the month for NZ which will bring hotter temperatures and high winds from the west and the subsequent very dry spring/summer. For forestry that's a concern with fires being on the top of the list of risks. Much like they have been...

How redundancy payments and retirement allowances are taxed by IRD

Redundancy payments and retirement allowances are taxable income. When your employer pays you, they’ll deduct tax and you’ll get the after-tax amount in your hand.How much tax?Your employer will estimate your income for the year including your redundancy payment or retirement allowance. They will then deduct tax from the payment or allowance at your top tax rate. Once IRD know your actual income for the year, they’ll work out if you have any end-of-year tax to pay, or if you’ll get a ref...

IRD support when you’ve had a significant drop in income

If you’re going through financial difficulty, IRD has options available to help take the pressure off. IRD recommends you have a myIR account because it’s the easiest and most secure way to manage things. Register at ird.govt.nz....

FICA AGM - 6 October 2023

Notice is hereby given that the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Forest Industry Contractors Association will take place as follows:Friday 6 October 2023 from 4:00pm – 6:00pmOnline (ZOOM) / Napier (East Pier Conference Centre, 50 Nelson Quay, Ahuriri, Napier 4110)Please RSVP to FICA CEO Prue Younger by 1 October 2023.One voting delegate (FICA Member Company) needs to register to vote on changes to the FICA Constitution....

FICA E-newsletter - August 2023

The months do fly by and sometimes it is hard to see where we are making any traction. But, reporting back to you all through these newsletters reminds me of the work that FICA is getting through.First, an update around the Forestry Supply Chain – Pan Sector Meeting held on July 26 in Rotorua. This was deemed a success by many that attended, particularly in getting a shared understanding of the problems and opportunities the sector faces in this 15-year crisis. By invitation onl...

FICA Board Elections 2023 – Nominations Open 9am on Monday 14 August

Nominations for the Forest Industry Contractors Association Board elections open Monday 14 August at 9am, with an election to be held for new Executive Board Members and a Chair.This year, Board Members Kevin Ihaka and Tony Gamble retire by rotation. Kevin Ihaka is standing for re-election. Ross Davis (Acting Chair), Sonya Elmiger and Tony Gamble will retire as Executive Board Members, while Robert Stubbs and Matthew Winmill have already resigned during their 2-year term.The nomination period wi...

New Zealand Institute Of Forestry Foundation Awards 2023

The Trustees of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry Foundation are very pleased to announce the 2023 awards.This year they made four awards. The Chavasse travel award, and three student awards: the University undergraduate, the Mary Sutherland, and the Frank Hutchinson scholarships.The Chavasse travel award goes to Dr Serajis Salekin a scientist working at Scion. Serajis is a scientist specialising in forest modelling. He will use the award to support his travel to the 5th International Congre...

Skilled Professional - Terence (Pea’nut) Ross

Terence (Pea’nut) Ross is the overall skilled professional of the year at the 2022 Hawkes Bay Forestry Awards.Terence continues to train staff in operations and methodology and has a long history of growing high performing staff. He understands the importance of new ideas as the world around us changes and he is willing to implement these changes without fuss.It takes the absolute ownership of our responsibilities to Te Whenua and is a Kaitiakitanga in the forests.Harvesters will often de...

Special Award – Growing Talent - Belinda and Kevin Humphries

Belinda and Kevin Humphries at General and Protection Forestry Services and Ground up Forestry are recipients of the Special Award for Growing Talent at the 2022 Hawkes Bay Forestry Awards. The name of this business is synonymous with working hard and getting the job done! For over 25 years Belinda and Kevin have supported an array of individual contractors and contracting businesses to provide forestry, fire and agricultural services through the Hawkes Bay region and an array of local Priv...

Wood Processing Excellence – William McGlade

William McGlade is the Wood Processing Excellence Award at the 2022 Hawkes Bay Forestry Awards.He has previously worked in the timber industry at various mills and immediately showed potential with his employer Pan Pac. He has valuable experience in machining and has showed excellent work ethic.He has stepped up and moved out of his comfort zone and applied for a position with more responsibility, with some encouragement from the team, and has once again been successful.The challenges and demand...

Woman in Forestry - Chrystal Edmonds

Described as very firm but kind and with a generous nature which can be an asset when it comes to dealing with staff, Chrystal Edmonds is the 2022 Woman in Forestry winner at the 2022 Hawkes Bay Forestry Awards. Known as very level-headed and a straight shooter, Chrystal is approachable and always available, always managing to bring her positive energy into any situation she encounters.She is responsible for the company’s finances, employment issues and employment (HR), employees training...

Tree Faller Excellence - Torben (Turbo) Hunt

Seen as a tremendous asset by his employer D G Glenn Logging Ltd, Turbo Hunt is the Tree Faller Excellence Winner at the 2022 Hawkes Bay Forestry Awards.With enthusiasm that permeates through his approach to his work, Turbo motivates others around him. He has undertaken training with mechanised falling equipment but keeping manual faller fitness and currency is a priority to him.He has consistently performed above expectation and received 100% from 3 different auditors, and three different ...

FICA E-newsletter - July 2023

I want to acknowledge many of you , right at this time, are just holding it together and it's taking alot of energy to do so. But I also stress that picture above reminds us that if we use our connections and the resources out there, then we can get strength in working together. I know that so many people are holding together a number of things so it's important to acknowledge this and FICA is here to support in anyway we can.Recently we were able to have some real conversations with the right p...

PRESS RELEASE - Government’s Proposed Forestry Policies to cost the Industry Workforce

The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) and the Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) are voicing profound apprehension regarding the government's proposed forestry policies. There is concern for New Zealand's forestry sector and its workforce, and they estimate policy will incur a cost to the nation ranging between $1-2 billion, as New Zealand will fail to meet its carbon emission commitments and be forced to purchase offshore carbon units to compensate.Representing the majority o...

A perfect storm

Most people I talk to are saying this is the worst log market ever seen. The immense financial pressure and constant threats to business, coupled with totally destroyed public perception from slash, can feel pretty deflating and difficult to climb back up from. It’s definitely taking its toll financially and mentally, and the overall concern is for the people, viability of our contracting businesses and long-term sustainability of our industry.Log prices have fallen so low that they’re not s...

FICA Business Support

As a body representing our people at the frontline of forestry, FICA is collating business support available for contractors and workers. MSD and IRD are offering a range of services and financial support to forestry contractors / business owners.SEE MORE HERE...

FICA E-newsletter - June 2023

The world of forestry sits in a very precarious position with the continuation of log export markets declining, contractors realising their financial position - solvent or insolvent and generally in limbo with an uncertain lens on what direction will be ahead of us in the near future. There appears to be no rationale now as to location for loss of contracts or reduction in tonnage, cyclone region or not - the whole of NZ is affected.Talking constantly to forest principals it’s a balancing...

PRESS RELEASE - Forestry contractors at breaking point with an unsustainable model

New Zealand’s forestry contractors are at breaking point, with compounding pressures from the last three years mounting. Some are already in liquidation and many more are at risk of losing their livelihoods.Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) is hugely concerned for the viability of forestry contracting businesses at the moment. Pressure has been exacerbated by Cyclone Gabrielle but it comes on the back of a tough three years, with Covid-19, fuel hikes, high inflation resulting in s...

Training Company / Contractor of the Year - D G Glenn Logging Ltd

D G Glenn Logging Ltd is a company that has always supported industry training thoroughly. They are the Training Company / Contractor of the Year at the 2022 Hawkes Bay Forestry Awards. They not does D G Glenn Logging Ltd support industry training, but they also support professional development pathways within their operations and in leadership, defensive driving and adult education.D G Glenn Logging Ltd has developed their vision for staff training extremely well and develop key staff to deliv...

Roading Excellence – Pnut Ross

With a good character and full dedication to his crews and fellow contractors, Terence (P’nut) Ross, Gair Contracting, is the Roading Excellence Winner at the 2022 Hawkes Bay Forestry Awards.The quality of P’nut’s work for the company and clients along with his skill and professionalism and service to the community over many decades makes him second to none among his peers.P’nut is the longest serving team member in his team, with over 32 years of service to the company.He continues to r...

PRESS RELEASE: Forestry contractors on the brink of closure with lack of certainty following release of Ministerial inquiry into woody debris report

New Zealand’s forestry contractors are expressing concern at lack of clarity following release of the Ministerial Enquiry into woody debris report, and say it’s unfair to be viewed as ‘turn-on, turn-off’ service providers. Many are at risk of losing their livelihoods.Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) CEO Prue Younger says while FICA was part of the inquiry, there is not much certainty for contractors in the final report.“Contractors want to be part of the forestry team and...

Outstanding Health & Safety Management – Hayden Mullins

Hayden Mullins has managed multiple crews, has proven leadership qualities and always maintains a high standard of work. He is the Outstanding Health & Safety Management award winner at the 2022 Hawkes Bay Forestry Awards.Hayden is assertive but compassionate to staff and employees. He is a great winner for this award and display a passion for the industry overseeing everyone’s safety and the drive to do better.A few good decisions, some hard work and good guidance from some good mates mea...

Outstanding Regional Service Performance - Peter & Linda Lister

Providing an exemplary service and taking pride in their work, Peter & Linda Lister of P&L Lister Ltd have won the Outstanding Regional Service Performance Award at the 2022 Hawkes Bay Forestry Awards.Peter, Linda and their team working in the business deem themselves to be contractors of integrity who can be trusted explicitly to achieve great results. They are quick to act in situations where action is urgently required.Peter and Linda have a wide range of skills across the forestry in...

Outstanding Environmental Management - Charlotte Holdsworth

Charlotte Holdsworth is a person displaying professional and personal commitment to achieving the best environmental outcomes. She is the Outstanding Environmental Management Award Winner at the 2022 Hawkes Bay Forestry Awards.Charlotte has been instrumental in providing both the planning and communication that set a benchmark for effective collaboration between Council and the Hawkes Bay forestry industry. Notably this has been around slash management and ensuring the biodiversity of the forest...