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FICA Member Survey Results

One of our strategic outcomes is an annual membership survey to gauge the member satisfaction level of FICA.  This survey has now been completed. The number of responses was disappointing, but I guess it reflects what we feared and that is you are busy people and the last thing you want to be doing is filling out another survey.  There was however some valuable feedback and I was impressed with the time that respondents did take to write responses, these are invaluable.In summary membe...

Tree Falling Survey

FICA recently conducted a Forest Industry Mechanisation survey. Given that mechanised falling and manual falling should go hand in hand, there were a number of questions regarding manual tree falling. I will share an abbreviated summary of some of the feedback. There will be a more in-depth review in the next Logger Magazine.All those that responded had mechanised felling capability with 60% of respondents felling 90%+.When manual falling 38% were using their own fallers, 35% using contract fall...

PaySauce Offer for Contractors

Women in Forestry and FICA have been working on a payroll project to research the best payroll option for forestry contractors. PaySauce has come out on top and is offering a special joining deal for FICA and WIF members.After trialling 4 different payroll systems, PaySauce stands out as the best option aligned to the needs of forestry contractors.WIF General Manager Sarah Davis says “forestry contractors generally have different needs to standard / typical business, especially around the comp...

Submission - Radical integration: redesigning vocational education and training for 21st century outcomes in forestry and wood processing

This response is written by the Forestry & Wood Processing Pan Sector Collaboration Group (PSG). It should be read as a loose collection of bullet points pulled together quickly, and highlighted to illuminate the way ahead, to help a rethink towards making some small dial turns for forestry and wood processing vocational education and training....

FICA E-newsletter - September 2024

In our latest FICA update, we're covering:Market Update FICA Member Satisfaction Survey Heads Up FICA Event - Rotovegas 2024 - 31 October and 1 November - tickets selling fast WorkSafe strategy and sector priority plan FICA ElectionsImmigration update Tairawhiti Forestry Contractor Meeting (TFC)ACC Submission H&S Regulations Reform FICA Mentorship Programme - Watch This Space Training Travel Time Guidance from MBIEWelcome Sponsors ...

FICA Elections 2024

Nominations for the Forest Industry Contractors Association Board nominations open tomorrow 10 September 2024. An election to appoint Board Members will follow the nomination period if there are more candidates than spaces available. This year, Steven Yeoman, Nathan Taylor and Dale Ewers retire by rotation. All three have confirmed they will stand for re-election. There is an additional space available that was not filled in 2023.  The nomination period will run 10-24 September 2024The...

New temporary visa option for some seasonal workers

The Government has announced a temporary Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) subcategory to make it easier for employers to hire some seasonal workers for upcoming peak periods.The SPWV subcategory is a time-limited, streamlined pathway and while employers still need to advertise, they will not need to apply for a Job Check.To be eligible, the seasonal work must be directly impacted by weather changes, such as harvesting, ski instructing, or tree planting. The role must also start on or before 31 ...

FICA E-newsletter - August 2024

In our latest FICA update, we're covering:Key Info for MembersMarket Update Safetree Fatality Alerts Do your due diligence WorkSafe Improvement Notices FICA Event - Rotovegas 2024 happening 31 October and 1 November  Sector News and Recent FICA industry activityWorkSafe strategy and sector priority plan Immigration update Trip to Tairawhiti for Woody Debris Action Group Health and Safety Reform and meeting with Minister Van Veldon Residues to Revenues...

Cable Yarder Safe Access and Guarding Best Practice Guidelines

The final version of the Cable Yarder Safe Access and guarding BPG document is now available. It will be published without WorkSafe endorsement and will not be used as a guidance document for inspectors. It should be noted that this is a guideline should be used if contractors/manufacturers are to install engineered controls as part of their risk assessment.  ...

Slash Risk Management Handbook Out Now

The New Zealand Slash Risk Management Handbook is now live on MPI’s website . Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service is offering hardcopies of the handbook to forestry contractors, so it is readily on hand for your reference. It’s important to note that the Handbook is not regulatory guidance, and it is not designed to be used for the councils to write resource consent conditions. It has been developed to support councils and foresters to understand and manage forestry slash risk by pr...

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...