During a visit to Tairāwhiti in early August, I met with a number of other contractors. A recurring theme was the ongoing impact of consenting delays and what many perceive as increasingly burdensome compliance requirements from Gisborne District Council.
The anecdotal feedback I have been hearing is now supported by data collected through FICA's July 2026 Contractor Financial Health Survey.
The survey shows contractors in Tairāwhiti are experiencing significantly greater financial pressure than the national average and have the lowest confidence in their ability to sustain their businesses over the next five years. Contractors consistently identified regulatory uncertainty, council-related constraints, declining profitability and reduced confidence in future operations as major concerns.
While forestry contractors across New Zealand continue to face margin pressure and rising costs, the survey indicates that the cumulative impact of these challenges is being felt most acutely in Tairāwhiti. This represents a genuine risk to contractor capability, investment, workforce retention and the long-term sustainability of the region's forestry supply chain.
The message from Tairāwhiti contractors is clear: if these issues are not addressed, the consequences will extend well beyond individual businesses and affect the resilience and future capacity of the entire sector.
FICA continues to do what we can to advocate for contractors with industry, local and central Government.
