http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.fica.org.nz en-us Sun, 05 Apr 2026 02:25:40 +1300 Rocketspark http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/163080/logger-mag--april-2026/ Want to listen to our FICA Logger Mag updates instead of reading them? Here's how:1. Update your settings (phones / tablets) or install this free audio reader extension (desktop / laptop):a. iPhone: To use the built-in text-to-speech feature on your iPhone, go to:Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content and enable "Speak Selection" or "Speak Screen" to have the iPhone read selected text or the entire screen aloud, respectively.b. Samsung: To activate and customize the text-to-sp... Wed, 01 Apr 2026 14:59:06 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post163080 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/162511/radio-new-zealand--forestry-manager-discusses-concerns-over-diesel-prices/ The logging industry's warning some companies could be on the brink as the conflict in Iran pushes up the cost of diesel. Forest Management Group Director, Glenn Moir spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.... Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:23:15 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post162511 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/162491/letter-to-government-ministers--explicit-inclusion-of-forestry-as-a-level-2-critical-customer/ We are writing on behalf of the New Zealand Forest Owners Association and Forest Industry Contractors Association to emphasise the importance of explicitly including forestry as a Level 2 critical customer in the National Fuel Plan, particularly to support both domestic sawmills and export continuity during periods of fuel, freight, or supply chain disruption.Forestry is one of New Zealand’s most logistics-intensive export sectors, with a high dependence on reliable access to fuel, land transp... Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:29:17 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post162491 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/162140/submission-on-health-and-safety-at-work-amendment-bill/ FICA supports the overall intent of the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill to:• reduce unnecessary compliance costs;• improve clarity for PCBUs about what is required; and• support further reductions in fatalities, serious harm and injuries.The Bill’s emphasis on critical risks aligns with established best practice in forestry contracting. However, without refinement, some proposed provisions may introduce ambiguity or unintentionally weaken safety outcomes for a lar... Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:09:20 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post162140 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/162040/fuel-adjustment-factor-calculation/ As you are well aware as a result of the conflict in the Middle East fuel prices have risen rapidly over the past two weeks. FICA has been talking with FOA and MPI regarding the situation and has been asked for the potential impact on Forestry Contractors. Our response has been it really depends on how long this goes on. Most Contractors have fuel adjustment factors (FAF) in their contracts, but this is only adjusted monthly or in some cases quarterly so contractors will have to wear i... Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:55:13 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post162040 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/162041/micro-innovation-challenge/ Got a solution to a forestry problem? There’s still time to get your idea in.Whether it’s a new tool, a smart upgrade, or an out‑of‑the‑box fix for an everyday frustration… you could win $10,000 to bring it to life.Enter your idea here: www.microinnovation.co.nz Takes minutes. No long forms. Unlimited entries.... Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post162041 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/161875/update-your-info-with-fica/ To enable FICA to better serve our members we are looking to update existing data in our database and collect new information. New information we want to collect includes:An email address for newsletters etc and a second for administration. I quite often get responses from your administrator telling me that the email should have gone to the owner/manager. We want the ability to direct communications in the right direction.The Region(s) you operate in and the Forest Manager(s) you work ... Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:12:31 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post161875 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/161874/fica-e-newsletter--march-2026/ February was a significant month across the industry, marked by the sign off of FICA’s revised strategic plan, budget 2026 and a full events schedule for 2026.We have made major progress in vocational training consultation, strengthened collaboration with forest owners, and an increasing focus on health and safety leadership. Our engagement with FOA, FISC, Worksafe, and regional councils is deepening as we ensure contractors’ voices are strongly represented.The pan-sector H&S Charter dis... Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:04:08 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post161874 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/161788/tairawhiti-employment-survey/ The Eastland Wood Council with assistance from FICA and other stakeholders, recently carried out a survey.The survey identifies 1,155 workers across the forestry and wood processing sector in Tairāwhiti as at February 2026.This figure substantially exceeds previously referenced regional statistics and demonstrates the importance of direct industry engagement when measuring workforce composition. Thank you to the assistance we got from Contractors in Tairawhiti. ... Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:11:15 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post161788 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/163079/logger-mag--march-2026/ Want to listen to our FICA Logger Mag updates instead of reading them? Here's how:1. Update your settings (phones / tablets) or install this free audio reader extension (desktop / laptop):a. iPhone: To use the built-in text-to-speech feature on your iPhone, go to:Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content and enable "Speak Selection" or "Speak Screen" to have the iPhone read selected text or the entire screen aloud, respectively.b. Samsung: To activate and customize the text-to-sp... Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post163079