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Best Farm Forester Award - Vivian Barr

Pivotal in creating solutions to the environmental challenges the dairy sector faces, Farm Forester Vivian Barr is the 2022 Best Farm Forester Award recipient at the Central North island Wood Council Awards. Vivian has gained a good understanding of the role forestry can play. She has amazing energy and abilities, always ready to do the right thing. In the mid-1980s she planted areas of pines, eucalyptus, acacia, and cypresses. These are an established farm forestry model where the landscape ...

Food and Fibre CoVE newsletter - Dec 2022

In a recent media release, Chair Dr Mark Paine said, "Training in the food and fibre sector needs to not only focus on upskilling the mainstream workforce, but also growing innovation and leadership skills".  For more on Mark's thoughts click here. Don't forget to mark Wednesday 1 March 2023 in your calendar. We will be holding the Research & Insights Forum (historically run by PICA) to share knowledge, innovative research and insights from our completed an...

FICA E-news - December 2022

What a busy last month it has been in terms of events! We successfully initiated and managed the Fast & Foward Forestry Expo in Rotorua. We held our FICA AGM and also had a chance to celebrate our 20 year anniversary with our members and sponsors. It was fabulous and humbling given I have only been in this organisation for 5 years. We extend our gratitude to the many that went before me.We also acknowledged two further Lifetime Members - Ross Davis (Bay of Plenty) and Ross Wood (Nelson). Plu...

Forestry Line Retrieval Unit Standards Review

Muka Tangata – People, Food and Fibre Workforce Development Council (WDC) has revised three forestry line retrieval unit standards, to ensure line retrieval activities are appropriately taught and assessed in forestry workplace training. Approval for the changes was granted by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) on 19 October 2022. The new versions of the unit standards will be published on the NZQA website in November.   Following recommendations from an inquest by...

Silviculture Apprenticeship Qualification Review

Consultation to discuss changes requested by industry to the Level 4 Forestry qualification is underway.2330 New Zealand Certificate in Forest Industry Operations (Planning and Monitoring) (Level 4) with strands in Harvesting, and Silviculture.  As a result of this consultation, the NZ Certificate in Forestry (Planning and Monitoring) - Silviculture strand (L4) has been increased to 60 credits. Forestry Subject Matter Experts (SME) have been included to identify the changes required to cred...

Level 5 Forestry Qualification Design and Development Survey

Muka Tangata – People, Food and Fibre Workforce Development Council (WDC) has initiated a review of the New Zealand Forestry qualifications and have identified a potential opportunity to develop leadership and team skills at Level 5.They strive to meet the needs of our industry and are pleased to present this “snapshot” survey as part of the wider industry consultation, and would greatly appreciate your feedback.The proposed Level 5 qualification will support individuals with the desire to...

Nga Karahipi Uru Rakau Forestry Scholarships

Your future in forestry starts here.  Thinking of a career in forestry?E whai whakaaro ana ki te mahi i te rāngai ngahere? A Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau (Forestry Scholarship) is your first step to a career in one of New Zealand’s largest and innovative industries. Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, is committed to creating greater diversity across forestry and wood-processing. In particular, we encourage Māori and those who identify as female to take up careers in forestry...

Outstanding Environmental Management - Loggabull Crew 14

Clearly committed to minimising their environmental impact while also productively logging challenging harvest areas, Loggabull Crew 14 won the Outstanding Environmental Management Award 2022 for Central North Island’s Forestry Awards. They are a stable, experienced crew and have been working together for a long time. As a cable crew they operate in challenging areas and settings but are always looking for solutions when facing environmental challenges which makes them extremely adaptable. A...

Outstanding Health & Safety Management - Fast & Evans Logging – Crew 26

With a standout safety culture, Fast & Evans Logging – Crew 26 is the Outstanding Health and Safety Management Award recipient at the 2022 Central North Island Wood Council Awards.Within the team, workers constantly look out for each other and contribute to the general safety performance of the crew.They are an extremely tight crew and have strived to ensure future protection and safety for themselves and for the industry.A Safetree certified contractor, with 100% compliance across all app...

Initial Forestry Expo a success

New Zealand’s first forestry expo event, the Fast & Forward Forestry Expo, was held in Rotorua November 18-19 with an estimated 5000 visitors. Brought together by the Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA), CEO Prue Younger says“International visitors came over specially to attend the event and all the feedback received from sponsors, exhibitors and guests indicates it has been a great success.” The Fast and Forward Forestry Expo showcase...

Labour shortages a key issue

Forest Industry Contractors Association chief executive Prue Younger highlighted a number of significant challenges facing her member companies, leading to predictions of a somewhat “slow and steady” immediate outlook. As per the experience of many sectors in New Zealand, Ms Younger noted one of those was ongoing labour shortages. “We need to get skilled machine operators now more than a manual workforce,” Ms Younger told the Shipping Gazette™. However, Ms...

PRESS RELEASE - $40k raised for forestry mental health in charity auction dinner opened by new Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell

More than $40,000 has been raised to lead a mental health initiative for forestry at a charity auction dinner held in Rotorua on 18 November. Opened by newly appointed Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell, the charity auction was part of NZ’s first Fast & Forward Forestry Expo. Brought together by the Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA), the charity auction dinner was part of the 2-day Fast and Forward Forestry Expo held last week. MC’d by Jeremy Corbett, FICA CEO Prue Younger says th...

PRESS RELEASE - Forestry Expo a Success

New Zealand’s first forestry expo event, the Fast & Forward Forestry Expo, was held in Rotorua 18-19 November with an estimated 5000 visitors through the gates over the two-day event. Brought together by the Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA), CEO Prue Younger says the industry put on a great show for visitors, with an estimated 5000 visitors to the Expo over the two days. “Our industry came together and put on an awesome event. We had more than 100 heavy machines brought ...

Female in Forestry - Mereana Tobenhouse

Multi-skilled and a hugely talented woman in forestry, Mereana Tobenhouse from Fast Harvesting is the Female in Forestry 2022 at the Central North Island Forestry Awards. Experienced, with 21 years in logging, Mereana is highly capable and a multiskilled character. She is passionate, honest, loyal, innovative, a mentor, empathetic and shows great leadership. Mereana began as an apprentice in 2001 doing skid crosscutting and quality control work then operated skidders, haulers, and mechanised pr...

Log Processing Excellence - Desmond Williams – Progressive Harvesting

Desmond Williams from Progressive Harvesting is the Log Processing Excellence Award Winner at the 2022 Central North Island Wood Council Forestry Awards. Over Progressive Harvesting’s 29 crews, Desmond Williams consistently achieves an outstanding performance and the highest results. Moreover, his high standard of work practices were well in place prior to the Processor Certification Program by the principal and were the product of his own values. Desmond is a team player who always...

Generation Programme Graduate of the Year - Rawiri Te Hiko

As a graduate of the Generation Programme, Rawiri Te Hiko has taken out the award for Graduate of the Year at the 2022 Central North Island Forestry Awards 2022. Rawiri has focused on what he wants to do and been clear that if you want anything in this world, you need to give it your best shot. Encouraged to explore a future in the Forestry industry, Rawiri soon demonstrated great sense of determination to complete the programme and make his own way in the world. Rawiri loves a bit of fun but...

Log Truck Driver Excellence - Raymond Bradshaw

Raymond Bradshaw from AZTEC FTD is the Log Truck Driver Excellence Award recipient at the 2022 Central North Island Wood Council Awards. Raymond’s contribution to the forest industry exceeds expectations not only to his employer, but to the logging transport industry. He ticks all the boxes of what you would want in the perfect driver in that he takes pride in the job and maintains his vehicle in immaculate condition. His experience and knowledge of trucks, forestry, skids and loading is su...

Press Release - First Ever Forestry Expo in Rotorua this week (18-19 Nov)

New Zealand’s first ever forestry expo event, the Fast & Forward Forestry Expo, is coming to Rotorua this Friday and Saturday 18-19 November. All are invited to attend.  Brought to you by the Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA), CEO Prue Younger says the industry is ready to put on a good show.  “Our industry is coming together, with more than 100 heavy machines being brought in ranging from one tonne to 60 tonne. We have sold-out all trade stands and sold-out the in...

FICA E-news - November 2022

Can you believe 20 years has gone by? FICA has been an incredible initaitve that has become a significant player in the forestry sector -  and I can say that as CEO for the last 5 years!I won't go any further though without acknowledging the Board, who with John Stulen set this organisation on a trajectory of success. It's a hard ask to manage many people and satisfy all, but I always say if you get the majority, the few that are never on board were not going to be anyway! Who wro...

Safetree as an APP

FICA & FISC have collaborated to provide an opportunity to make more resources and information accessible to our industry, in particular the contractors. We've heard that people are keen to share and access “learning from everyday work” across the sector and this would be supported and welcomed. So as a test pilot, we've digitalised Safetree as an APP to bring the valuable and credible platform that we know the industry trusts and references often. We are looking for 50 users to tes...

Muka Tangata advice TEC on funding, consult on new Future Forestry qualification

Muka Tangata, the People, Food and Fibre Workforce Development Council (WDC), is one of six WDCs established to provide industry and sector voice and advocacy within the vocational education system of Aotearoa New Zealand. The WDCs were set as part of the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) to create a unified and sustainable system that is fit for the future.Muka Tangata helps industries get the skills and training they need by designing solutions to skill needs, including qualifications, sta...

Heath McMurtrie - Wood Processing Excellence

Heath McMurtrie (Donelley Sawmillers) is deemed a very highly skilled operator and is the winner of the 2022 Wood Processing Excellence Award at the Central North Island Wood Council Awards. Starting from the floor and progressing his way up through mill operations, Heath McMurtrie is now deemed a very highly skilled operator. Running day to day operations, he is a dedicated team member, developing up mentoring skills and actively working with younger members and new employees to understand pr...

Distribution Excellence - Jody Reti

Jody Reti from Trimble Forestry has gone beyond the standard expectations of a dispatcher and has a willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. She is the Distribution Excellence Award Winner at the 2022 Central North Island Wood Council Awards. Jody’s work ethic is complimented by her relationship and communication skills that allow her to positively interact with all stakeholders she works with. Constantly delivering above the KPI’s required in her work planning, Jody’s cu...

Harvesting Excellence – Rob Davy

Taking a difficult situation and making it look easy, Rob Davy from G White Logging Ltd is the recipient of the Harvesting Excellence Award at the 2022 Central North Island Forestry Awards. A testament to his skill, knowledge, and experience, Rob is respected not only by his peers but other crews in the industryNever a procrastinator, Rob actions everything immediately and manages zero personal turnover under his leadership. His mechanical processing is exceptional and time management is excelle...

Fastidious clearing - Campbell & RJ – J Swap Ltd

Campbell & RJ – J Swap Ltd are winners of the Forest Engineering Excellence Award at the Central North Island Forestry Awards 2022. The duo has a very high level of environmental awareness within their operation. They’ve managed fastidious clearing along steep ridgelines, native forest boundaries, wet gullies and stream margins as well as managing stream crossings with no sediment run-off or impact.Together over the last 10 years they have been instrumental in ensuring an excellent relat...