http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.fica.org.nz en-us Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:26:58 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/166380/connecting-in-canterbury/ When I got a call from CWCWC (Canterbury West Coast Wood Council) Chair Glen Moir, inviting me to present at the CWCWC members’ event, I didn’t need much convincing.I had looked at the National Exotic Forest Description (NEFD) for the region, so I was aware that wood supply had peaked and is now contracting quite rapidly. For contractors, that means less certainty of work, more competition for what is available, and real challenges maintaining crews and utilisation.At the same time, that red... Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:48:26 +1200 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post166380 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/166379/fica-e-newsletter--june-2026/ In this update: Message from CEO Rowan Struthers Industry Snaprshot: Market and Operating Environment Connecting in Canterbury Upcoming EventsFICA Election and AGM - 12 August, online  Women in Forestry - 26-27 August, Nelson Retro Roadshow End of Year Event - 19-21 November, Cambridge Member Support and Advocacy Contractor Financial Health Check - 46 responses so far Improving Production Workshop Wrap Up N3 Savings Report Training... Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:44:59 +1200 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post166379 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/166122/logger-mag--june-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... Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post166122 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/164691/fica-e-newsletter--may-2026/ In this update: Message from CEO Rowan Struthers Visiting the back-blocks of Whangarei - Peter Davies-Colley, The Tree PeopleWhangarei Fry Up Contractor BreakfastSkipps Logging Achieves Canopy Class Certification with Safetree Contractor Financial Health Check Let's Have a Say on Innovation Research Update your info with FICA 10th Worker Certification for Logger Mark Brown One News Coverage - What did Rowan Say? FGR Roundup of Tech Reports Q1 2026 N3 ... Tue, 19 May 2026 09:20:28 +1200 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post164691 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/164672/visiting-the-back-blocks-of-whangarei-with-peter-davies-colley-the-tree-people/ If you’re in Northland, you’ve probably heard the name Peter Davies-Colley (The Tree People) mentioned more than once or twice. Passionate about Northland and Forestry, Peter is a member of NZFFA and a recent appointment to the FGLT Board. He also rejoined as a FICA member in 2024 after a hiatus. I have a long-standing connection with the region, having spent five years in Northland earlier in my career. While based in Auckland, Peter’s younger brother Tony was once my biggest competitor i... Mon, 18 May 2026 12:46:48 +1200 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post164672 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/164657/ports-of-auckland-case--what-it-means-for-contractors/ 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 p... Mon, 18 May 2026 09:39:23 +1200 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post164657 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/164656/nz-foa-welcomes-sigining-of-india-free-trade-agreement/ The New Zealand Forest Owners Association welcomes the signing of the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement, saying it marks an important step forward for forest growers, wood processors, exporters and regional communities.New Zealand Forest Owners Association Chief Executive Elizabeth Heeg, who is in India for the signing, says it is an honour to witness the progress of an agreement with such significant potential for New Zealand forestry. “Forest growers welcome the signing of this agreemen... Mon, 18 May 2026 09:35:29 +1200 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post164656 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/166121/fica-logger-mag--may-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... Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post166121 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/163406/health-and-safety-amendment-bill-2026--what-contractors-need-to-know/ The Government’s Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill proposes changes aimed at reducing compliance burden, improving clarity for businesses, and sharpening the focus on preventing death and serious harm through better critical risk management.FICA supports the overall intent of the Bill. Forestry contracting businesses already operate in one of New Zealand’s highest risk sectors and have long prioritised critical risks through mechanisation, system redesign, competency frameworks, stron... Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:11:43 +1200 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post163406 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/163404/managing-slash-on-steep-hill-country/ Te Uru Rakau recently completed Harvesting Operations Handbook: Managing Slash on Steep Hill Country. This is an abbreviated version of the Slash Risk Management Handbook and is targeted more at contractors and forestry operational staff.FICA had some input into the handbook, particularly with regard to responsibilities on page 3. We believe the key to good slash management is understanding what is required and who is responsibility before a single tree is fallen.Some of the key lines ... Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:10:21 +1200 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post163404