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FICA E-newsletter - July 2024

In our latest FICA update, we're covering:Market UpdateWorkSafe Strategy and Sector Priority PlanImmigration UpdateWorkSafe Improvement NoticesNelson / Marlborough TripMeeting with the Minister of ForestryWoody-Debris Action Group - TairawhitiH&S Regulations ReformResidues to Revenues ConferenceTraining Talk - In the Ute with Dave AdamsHear from some of our SponsorsBrandtPirtekCompetenz - see their first issue of @Cz branching out newsletterPlus, you can reach out to me on 0274 712789 or ema...

In the Ute with Dave Adams, Operations Manager, G White Logging

Dave Adams has had a long career in forestry, first working as a full time logger before turning his hand to safety and training management roles and operations / management. He is the current Operations Manager at G White Logging. FICA CEO Rowan Struthers recently had the opportunity to park up with Dave in his ute and talk training, including his take on the current state of training and his belief that the current qualifications are not broken. His belief is that if a couple of unit...

Immigration NZ Roundup

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 Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ’s) website.The primary role of the New Zealand immigration system is to facilitate the travel of visitors, students, workers, families and refugees to New Zealand, and protect New Zealand from immigration risk. Read more about how...

Manual Tree Falling Scenario

We received this write up from Erik Wardrop who is a manual tree faller (Mohua Forestry & Environmental Services Ltd). In this case Erik flagged concerns about manually falling an area with a very high percentage of standing dead trees and spars with some old windthrow. Some of the questions asked in his write up are covered in the Contract Tree Faller Guide. Read more below. ...

Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries - MPI June 2024

The food and fibre sector has performed remarkably well over the last few years. However, slower global growth, especially in our key export market, China, and a correction in commodity prices means food and fibre sector export revenue is forecast to decrease 5% to $54.6 billion in the year to 30 June 2024. Input costs are also high which is reducing producer profitability.Looking ahead to the year to 30 June 2025, food and fibre export revenue is forecast to rebound 6% to $58.1 billion. Strong ...

Pan Sector Group Update

You may recall that as a result of the ‘Reality Check’ meeting lead by FICA in July 2023 that a Pan Sector Group (NZ Forest & Wood Sector Forum, NZFWSF) was formed.The group includes representatives from accross the industry including forest owners, farm forestry, wood processing, Maori forestry, energy, transport and more. The purpose of the group is to speak as one voice to the Government and other stakeholders to promote the interests of the forest industry.One of the undertakings at ...

FICA Administration Change

Over the past two months Sarah Davis has been assisting FICA in an administration capacity. FICA would like to welcome Vicki Thompson to the team. Vicki will be providing part-time contracted administration support approximately 20 hours per month, usually on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Vicki is based in Bay of Plenty but will work remotely and will be contactable on the same email address admin@fica.org.We want to also thank Sarah for her assistance during the transition and we're looki...

DC Equipment – Madill launch and a little surprise

On 31 May to celebrate the manufacturing debut of Madill log loaders in New Zealand, special guests were invited to DC HQ in Tasman. FICA board members Nathan Taylor (Mechanised Cable Harvesting, MCH) and Steven Yeoman (Volcanic Plateau Logging) attended the event on behalf of FICA.The event also set the scene of what’s to come for DC Equipment's journey with Madill, with the surprise unveiling of the Madill RFM 1100 (remote felling machine) prototype.Dale Ewers is the founder and owner o...

FICA Members present at Wood Transport and Logistics Conference

FICA members Mike Hurring (Josh Hurring) and G White Logging (Dave Adams) presented at this years’ conference. Josh’s presentation was on running NZ’s first Logset diesel-electric hybrid harvester in their operations in Central Otago.Dave’s presentation was on running an all-wheel drive log transporter (Modified Astra 8X8’s) in challenging environments.It is good to see FICA members at the forefront of innovation, thanks to Innovatek for providing the opportunity for Dave and Josh...

Yarder Guarding

The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) that has worked on the yarder BPGs has decided to publish an unendorsed WorkSafe copy of the BPGs. In the background WorkSafe will continue to review the BPG’s and modify so at some future date a new version can be released that is endorsed by WorkSafe. This should not reduce the effectiveness of the BPGs. There are other examples of BPGs already out there, for example the Steep Slope Harvesting BPGs, that are also not WorkSafe endorsed but that still wo...

WorkSafe Strategy Release

The WorkSafe strategy was officially launched mid-May. Some points of note:WorkSafe is committed to work with the forest industry to update the approved code of practice. This is good news for the industry and FICA is intimately involved in this process.The forest industry is identified as one of four industries the strategy is targeted at, in particular with regard to acute harm. The key risks being vehicles and machinery, falls from heights, falling and moving objects, electrical and chem...

Excavator Guarding Guidance

Some of you may have received communications from enthusiastic machinery and parts suppliers/salesmen stating that:  ‘Worksafe is making all forestry machines mandatory to have hand rails installed to the AS 5327 requirements.’ Worksafe have confirmed to FICA that hand/guard rails are not mandatory, the link below provides guidance....

FICA E-newsletter - June 2024

In our latest FICA update, we're covering:Market Update Excavator Guarding WorkSafe Strategy ReleaseYarder Guarding Immigration Settings FGR Risk and Benefit WorkshopWood Transport and Logistics Conference Wrapup DC Equipment - Madill Launch Women in Forestry and FICA working together NZ Forest and Wood Sector Forum...

FICA signs agreement with Women in Forestry to provide combined member value

FICA and Women in Forestry (WIF) have signed an agreement to work closer together, share resources and increase member value for forestry contractors.WIF is a grassroots network of women working in the New Zealand forestry industry, that focuses on supporting female business owners. Started informally in the 2010's, WIF has grown to offer more tailored, formalised support in recent years.As part of the agreement, FICA will provide baseline funding to WIF to work on complimentary projects fo...

Calling all NZ loader operators – be part of this study

Driven by mechanisation, traditional career pathways in forestry crews are evolving. As part of the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme, ‘Te Mahi Ngahere i te Ao Hurihuri – Forestry Work in the Modern Age’, the Scion Human Factors research group is exploring ways to reshape these pathways to empower operators in their learning process and bolster well-being.Video-based feedback can help improve operator performance by offering specific, timely, and content-rich instru...

Immigration NZ Roundup

Immigration NZ has released 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 Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ’s) website.You can also check out our announcements, media releases, stories, and common topics on our News Centre on the INZ website....

FICA E-newsletter - May 2024

It looks like the export market correction has now reached the bottom, hopefully we now see some stabilisation and improvement in coming months.  Unfortunately, there are no changes in the market fundamentals (demand) that would indicate that we will see significant improvement in log prices this month.At current levels ($98-$108/Jas m3 NI and $94-$104/Jas m3 SI) Forest owners’ stumpages will remain squeezed and production will remain constrained, particularly in the Woodlot segment.The c...

WorkSafe Notifications and what they mean

In our recent catch-ups with WorkSafe, we have been discussing Contractors’ rights when dealing with WorkSafe. Here is some additional information around different times of communication from WorkSafe and what is expected in terms of compliance.VERBAL DIRECTIONAn onsite direction given by an inspector, informing the duty holder that they are not compliant with a provision of the Act or Regulation. It is not a legislative tool therefore is only used where the risk ...

MSD Support

If you’re a contractor and don’t have any new work to go to, you may be able to help your staff by working with WINZ/MSD to either find them work in other industries, subsidise them into different roles, or at the very least help them fast track accessing benefits. Although this may not be the ideal outcome contractors are pursuing or wanting, it may be a back-up plan to help employees. The MSD team may be able to help you retrain and keep your st...

FICA E-newsletter - April 2024

I officially started in my roles as FICA CEO on 2 April 2024. I want to take this opportunity to thank Prue Younger for all the hard work she has done for FICA. FICA is a well-respected industry association and has a seat at the table in many places that make key decisions affecting our industry, our members and sponsors. It has been a busy few weeks visiting a number of major sponsors, being involved in meetings on industry training, hauler guarding, visiting specialist forestry accou...

Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

Many of you may be aware of the changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) | Immigration New Zealand announced last weekend.Immigration NZ is extending an invite to FICA Members to attend a webinar about these changes. We have also included some extra information below about the English test requirement and what FICA is working on in response....

FICA E-newsletter - March 2024

Well, the time has come to say good-bye! My last few weeks are on count down and a busy hand over to my successor Rowan Struthers who will be great to take FICA on to the next stage of its life. I have already been interviewed by the NZ Logger and my last column awaits you all this month in the mail so I won't go over the same ground. Finding something else to reflect on is easy as I am truly not leaving this job dissatisfied, more elated that I have been able to lift it to a good level of ...

Rowan Struthers announced as new Forest Industry Contractors Association CEO

FICA has announced the appointment of Rowan Struthers as its new CEO. An experienced professional who has worked across the forestry sector in various roles including senior leadership and forest management, Rowan will take over the job from departing CEO Prue Younger who finishes up in March.Having graduated from Canterbury University Forestry School, Rowan Struthers has over 30 years of experience working in forestry. He has worked in most facets of the industry including silviculture, woodflo...

FICA E-newsletter - Jan Feb 2024

This is the first newsletter for 2024 and I trust this finds you all back at work, relaxed and rested and ready to hit 2024 head on!It is a bit scary as there is just one more newsletter to go before I step down from my role with FICA. As this first month of the year has almost disappeared, the year looks set to roll on quickly. I am pleased to say those I have spoken to in the industry have already had a good start, eased back into it and safety starts are all done and dusted without a hitch.I ...

FICA E-Newsletter - December 2023

As the last newsletter of 2023 I could not help but reflect on where we are as of today and maybe what lies ahead for a better year in 2024.As it happens, I had to give a brief overview of the industry at our Food and Fibre CoVE earlier in the week and this is how it went. From the political world around us, we had experienced delays prior to elections as around about July Government agencies fell quiet. The election came and went, and we can see another 3 or 4 months with delays as the coa...