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New Forestry Apprenticeship Underway

Competenz Te Pūkenga is set to launch a new forestry programme — New Zealand Apprenticeship in Silviculture in the second quarter of 2023. The purpose of this programme is to equip the forestry industry with individuals who have the skills and knowledge required to be employed in a commercial forestry operation in a silviculture role, and contribute to operational planning. They will have decision-making abilities in silviculture. Graduates will be able to work autonomously and be r...

CNIWC partner with Timberlands Ltd for new Generation Programme

A partnership Generation Programme with Central North Island Wood Council (CNIWC) and 'Timberlands Ltd' is starting on Monday 13 March at the Toi Ohomai Institute NZ Waipa campus in Rotorua.Timberlands Ltd has recently developed and endorsed seven strategic Restorative Development Goals with 35 x 2050 targets. This includes - 'by 2050 we will........ have an employment pathway where people from disadvantaged local communities become engaged in all facets of our workforce...

Training still a priority after end of TTAF

The Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) that supported learners to undertake vocational education and training without fees ended on 31 December 2022. Now, any fees relating to training are covered by the learner and/or their employer.The decision to end fees-free has huge ramifications for industry. While the so called ‘glory days’ of funding are over, it’s nothing we haven’t done before, as prior to TTAF, training was simply a cost of doing business.Ultimately, we nee...

Support for businesses - contractor business qualify under several of the criteria

Support for businesses affected by Cyclone Gabrielle has been announced by the government in the form of grants up to the value of $40k. "This includes those that have been impacted due to barriers to customer access, ability to source stock, supply chain issues, inability to operate as usual due to physical damage to equipment or premises, or delays in insurance assessment and repairs," said Grant Robertson.Check in with your most appropriate agency that are distributing these funds.The agencie...

PRESS RELEASE - Forestry contractors chipping in to help with Cyclone clean-up

New Zealand’s forestry contractors are mucking in to help clean up post Cyclone Gabrielle while unable to get back to work as normal.Some forestry contractors affected by Cyclone Gabrielle remain unable to get back to work, reliant on landowners to grant re-entry to the forests. While roading accessibility and safety remain key concerns, forestry contractors still have bills to pay and staff to retain until they know when they can go back to work or not.Forest Industry Contractors Association ...

Repost - Recovery visa available to offshore workers for response projects

To assist with recovery the Government has announced the launch of the Recovery Visa (a Specific Purpose Work Visa). This short-term visa will allow employers to sponsor migrants to come to New Zealand to work on the emergency response.The full picture of labour demand is still emerging but we need specialists from overseas such as engineers, technicians and insurance assessors to support our New Zealand experts on the ground.This visa is intended for people coming to New Zealand for a short per...

Repost - Waka Kotahi Traffic and Roading Updates

If you're travelling, you can plan your trip with travel time information, traffic cameras, and updates on delays, roadworks and road closures.CLICK HERE TO VIEW WAKA KOTAHI LIVE TRAFFIC MAP...

Repost - Floods: Employment guidance and support

What you need to know if you’ve been affected by the floods. During and after a disaster or emergency, the health, safety and security of people should be the main concern of all employers and employees.Pay and leaveGenerally, if the situation is not covered within an employment agreement or workplace policy, an employer is required to pay an employee who is ready, willing, and able to work.If the workplace cannot be accessed, is closed, or is open but the employee is unable to work, empl...

Repost - Cyclone Gabrielle: Forestry workers’ union to discuss support plan with ministry

The union representing forestry workers will meet with the Ministry of Social Development on Thursday to develop a support plan for the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery.First Union assistant general secretary Louisa Jones said nearly 500 workers were unable to work in areas which remained inaccessible or unstable.She hoped the meeting would form the basis of a plan to help contractors until work could resume.“On the coast, everybody has lost their jobs. The roads aren’t safe to get to the work, an...

Repost - Some in forestry sector 'won't recover' from Cyclone Gabrielle

Forestry jobs are almost certain to be lost after Cyclone Gabrielle smashed a swathe through Tairāwhiti, Hawkes Bay, Coromandel and Northland regions – almost 30 per cent of the country’s forestry plantation.According to Forest Industry Contractors Association chief Prue Younger, who lives in Napier, while it’s too early to assess the full extent of the damage to the sector, there will be job losses.“Some contractors will have lost their livelihoods this week,” she said.“Many are al...

Repost - Government announces cyclone recovery taskforce, $50m support package, new ministerial role

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced a $50 million support package to provide immediate relief for businesses hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, as well as the extension of the national state of emergency, a new cyclone recovery taskforce and related ministerial role.The full extent of the cyclone damage is becoming clearer as transport, power and telecommunications connections are re-established."Ministers will finalise the distribution of this funding in the comin...

PRESS RELEASE - Fears for forestry contractor livelihoods following Cyclone Gabrielle

New Zealand’s forestry contractors in the Tairawhiti, Hawkes Bay, Coromandel and Northland regions are facing immense pressure and compounding challenges post-cyclone Gabrielle. Planted forest in these combined regions makes up almost 30% of the national forestry plantation.  While the full extent of damage to the forestry industry is still being assessed, reports of forestry contractors being under immense pressure are starting to come in.Forest Industry Contractors Association CEO Prue ...

Cyclone State of Play Survey

We need your feedback - we also want to support all contractors not just FICA members at this time - important to put a whole of industry hat on this support. Given the current catastrophic weather emergency in Northland, Tairawhiti/Gisborne and Hawkes Bay – FICA is very keen to get as much information back about the current state of the nation on individual contractors who were working within these areas and this will escalate the support, we are able to seek from government and other ag...

Cyclone Gabrielle - Update from MSD on Funding

Support maybe available through one of your own regional support groups. Information on the $4m mobilisation fund and $11.5 m Community support package has been released as per below:$4m Mobilisation fund  Initial recovery mobilisation fund to help farmers and growers hit by Cyclone Gabrielle | Beehive.govt.nz“The Government is providing $4 million to help farmers, growers, whenua Māori owners and rural communities mobilise and co-ordinate recovery efforts.This is initial funding to help...

Repost - Cyclone Gabrielle triggered more destructive forestry ‘slash’ – NZ must change how it grows trees on fragile land

The severe impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle on the North Island, and the five severe weather events experienced by the Thames–Coromandel region in just the first two months of 2023, are merely the latest examples of more frequent erosion-triggering rainfall events over the past decade.Inevitably with the heavy rain, soil, rocks and woody material (also known as “slash”) from landslides have flowed down onto valleys and flood plains, damaging the environment and risking human safety.Clear-fell ...

Distribution Excellence – Gus Collins

Justin (Gus) Collins is someone who likes to excel. He is the winner of the Distribution Excellence Award at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awards.Gus thrives on new challenges and on finding a niche in this industry, he has shown himself to be an absolute pro who leaves nothing to chance.Passionate about his work, Gus has an eye to ensuring his team always does the job right.Congratulations Gus Collins from Mike Lambert Ltd, winner of the distribution excellence award at the 2022 Northland Forestr...

Harvesting Excellence – Luke Rosewarne

Luke Rosewarne is the Harvesting Excellence award winner at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awards. Considered a real asset to the business, Luke is dedicated and committed to being the best he can.  He delivers every single time. A planner and a perfectionist, Luke has an eye to always working smarter. External audits continue to highlight the quality of both his work and his leadership.Congratulations Luke Rosewarne from Rosewarne Yarding, winner of the harvesting excellence award a...

Roading Excellence – Dylan Read

Known for his skill and expertise, Dylan Read (JSB Construction) is capable of moving seamlessly and efficiently between large machinery and sites with a high productivity level.He has an innate understanding of exactly what clients require with the experience to help problem solve when the need arises.His no-fuss and professional approach to every job is appreciated by all.Congratulations Dylan Read from JSB Construction, winner of the roading excellence award at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awa...

Forestry Excellence - Kim Kire

Kim Kire (JSB Construction) has been recognised for Forestry Excellence at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awards. Making an impact on the industry, Kim dabbled in a few areas of forestry before jumping at the chance to move into the division he currently works in.It’s a role he has attacked with enthusiasm and a real sense of ownership. The bigger the challenge the better. A team player, Kim is a valuable part of a wider crew at JSB Construction.Congratulations Kim Kire, Forestry Excellence ...

Outstanding Health and Safety Management - Aztec Forestry Transport Development

Aztec Forestry Transport Development are the Outstanding Health and Safety Management recipients at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awards.Aztec Forestry Transport Development is an organisation that is considered second-to-none in their professionalism and industry leaders in both compliance and health and safety.They have a continued focus on education and training, with an expectation of a consistent high standard. They have always been a step ahead of the rest in meeting government guidelines an...

FICA E-news - Jan/Feb 2023

What comes next is a big full stop as I wonder where to from here? I have to say the break for me was great, a chance to really focus on what had been successful for our organisation in 2022. Through many challenges for the industry supply chain to what key areas were going to be important to manage the next 12 months. I was very hopeful the new year would ease back in, but that has been far from reality.The year has begun with an earlier start for crews back a week if not two weeks sooner than ...

Crystal Ball Predictions for 2023

We touched on it at our 2022 FICA AGM - the various challenges that we have struck from the time of the COVID lockdown back in 2020. It has been a roller coaster. There were many of those challenges that were not predictable and some you could argue were, but the world is definitely a changing place and New Zealand is so heavily influenced by what other countries and nations do that solutions are not easy to define.We can look at the market reports, we can make assumptions based on the informati...

A New Approach to Learner Pathways

A new discussion document from Muka Tangata examines how good qualification, standard, and micro-credential design can enable greater flexibility in vocational education and training.A New Approach to Learner Pathways responds to engagement and discussion between Muka Tangata and the food and fibre sector, iwi and hapū Māori and education providers that vocational education and training needs to be responsive and flexible for people to succeed. Muka Tangata have developed a proposal to create ...

Outstanding Environmental Management - Duane Doughty

With decades under his belt as a pest management specialist, Duane Doughty (Doc Livestock) has won the Outstanding Environmental Management Award at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awards.  Duane Doughty (Doc Livestock) grew up in the world of pest control and has since built up an extensive career as a pest management specialist.Doc Livestock works alongside everyone from councils to farmers, iwi to private landowners, forest management companies and conservation groups, among others.In their ...

Contractor of the Year - IK and SM Newey Transport

Tech savvy, really caring about their people and walking the talk, IK and SM Newey Transport is the 2022 Contractor of the Year at the Northland Forestry Awards.They encourage all their staff to speak up, and their road to success is one they share together.Those at the top hold both regional and national positions and are always looking to upskill across the company.Safety is key and that is drilled into all staff, with plenty of support and training to ensure it happens.Congratulations IK and ...