What the Ports of Auckland Case Means for Forestry Contracting Business Owners and Directors: Are You Meeting Your Due Diligence Duties?
A recent court decision involving the former CEO of Ports of Auckland is a timely warning for forestry contracting company owners and directors.
Following a fatal workplace incident in 2020, the CEO was convicted under the Health and Safety at Work Act — and his appeal was dismissed in April 2026. The case reinforces a clear message: individual leaders can be personally accountable for health and safety failures.
What’s Changed?
The key takeaway is the heightened expectation around due diligence. It’s no longer enough to rely on systems, paperwork, or supervisor reports.
As an owner or director, you must be able to:
Ensure safety systems are in place
Actively monitor how they perform
Verify they are actually working on site
Why This Matters in Forestry
Forestry contractors face unique challenges — remote worksites, independent crews, and production pressure.
This creates a critical question: How do you know your crews are working safely, not just saying they are?
If something goes wrong, “I relied on my foreman” is unlikely to be enough.
What Should You Do?
Get greater visibility on site activities
Test and challenge the information you receive
Focus on verifying critical risks like felling and machine operations
Bottom Line
The standard has shifted.
Trust alone is no longer enough — you must be able to prove that safety is happening in practice.
For forestry contracting leaders, that starts with one principle: verify, verify, verify.
