http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.fica.org.nz en-us Fri, 23 Oct 2026 07:25:04 +1300 Rocketspark http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/171655/fica-e-newsletter--october-2026/ What has FICA delivered for members this month? Contractor capability building: Workshop with Garth Beker focusing on finance, sustainability and succession issues FSC Living Wage clarity: Helping contractors and forest managers understand their obligations and reduce compliance uncertaintyTairāwhiti contractor advocacy: key meeting between contractors and foresty Minister Todd McClay 12 October CFG forest manager transition support for contractors: helping maintain dialogue... Fri, 16 Oct 2026 07:09:23 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post171655 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/171620/forestry-gets-broad-political-support-ahead-of-election/ With the election campaign beginning to take shape, the NZFOA Election Year Forestry Panel provided a valuable opportunity to hear directly from political parties on the future of forestry in New Zealand. The panel brought together representatives from across the political spectrum, including Todd McClay, Mark Patterson, Simon Court, Cushla Tangaere-Manuel and Steve Abel to discuss issues ranging from land use and environmental regulation through to wood processing, infrastructure, workforce dev... Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:21:28 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post171620 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/171618/advocacy-starts-with-a-conversation/ Sometimes the most important advocacy opportunities are the ones we don't plan.Over the past few months, forestry contractors in Tairāwhiti have played an active role in discussions with Government, regulators and review panels about the future of forestry in the region. Through FICA's engagement with the Independent Assurance Review led by Hon Chris Finlayson KC, contractors had the opportunity to speak directly about the realities of operating on the ground, including the need for practical r... Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:13:19 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post171618 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/171617/silviculture-takes-centre-stage-at-the-nwc-forestry-awards/ FICA is delighted to congratulate Joel Neumann-Niha and the team at Niha Contracting Ltd on winning the Northland Wood Council (NWC) Crew of the Year Award. Their success is particularly pleasing because it highlights a part of the industry that often works out of the spotlight. While harvesting crews are frequently the public face of forestry operations, silviculture crews are the foundation of the future forest.Based in the Pipiwai area of Whangārei, Niha Contracting Ltd has built a strong re... Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:07:44 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post171617 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/171616/tower-modifications-have-your-say-on-proposed-changes-to-the-yarder-inspection-best-practice-guide/ When a cable yarder has been operating for 20, 30 or even 40 years, modifications are inevitable. Engines are repowered, control systems upgraded, brakes replaced, hydraulics improved and, occasionally, structural changes are made. The question is not whether modifications will occur, but how we ensure they are undertaken safely, consistently and with appropriate oversight.That issue was one of the key topics discussed at the recent Forestry Tower Inspectors Workshop, attended by almost every ac... Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:02:46 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post171616 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/171615/market-update--october-2026/ October has delivered some welcome improvement for the forestry sector. Export log prices lifted during the month, supported by a weaker New Zealand dollar, improving Chinese manufacturing activity, and healthy log demand through Chinese ports.For contractors, the key message is that harvest activity remains strong, with national harvest volumes running ahead of last year. This should help support work programmes as we move into the summer season.However, profitability remains under pressure. Fu... Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:00:10 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post171615 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/171614/safety-productivity-and-procurement-the-message-forestry-cant-ignore/ Released in September, the State of a Thriving Nation 2025 report from the Business Leaders' Health and Safety Forum provides some timely lessons for New Zealand forestry. The Forum represents more than 440 business and government leaders and publishes the report annually to assess New Zealand's health, safety and wellbeing performance. Forestry is identified as one of New Zealand's highest-risk industries, but the report's most important message is not that we need more compliance. Instead, it ... Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:57:37 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post171614 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/171613/harvesttech-2026-extra-value-for-fica-members/ FICA members can now access an extended Early Bird discount for HarvestTECH 2026 (inc. Wood Transport & Logistics).HarvestTECH remains one of the industry's premier events, bringing together harvesting, transport, logistics and forestry leaders to explore practical solutions for improving productivity, safety and business performance.To build on these discussions, FICA will host a Productivity Workshop on 11 November following the conference. The workshop continues the work developed through... Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:53:09 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post171613 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/171609/contractors-join-ministerial-forestry-lunch-in-tairawhiti/ A number of FICA contractor members were invited to attend an industry lunch with Minister McClay in Gisborne on 12 October. The event was hosted by the Eastland Wood Council, bringing together industry leaders to provide an update on the forestry sector in Tairāwhiti and discuss key issues affecting the region.While FICA is not a member of the Eastland Wood Council, the invitation reflected the strong working relationship between the two organisations and the important role contractors play in... Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:18:38 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post171609 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/post/171607/whos-paying-for-the-fsc-living-wage-increase/ On 1 September, the Living Wage increased to $29.90 per hour.If you're an FSC-certified forest manager or contractor engaged by an FSC-certified forest manager, that's not just a wage increase. It's an FSC compliance issue.Many people assume Living Wage compliance is the contractor's responsibility.It's not.FSC requires workers to be paid the Living Wage (or a recognised industry wage agreement), requires Living Wage costs to be built into contract pricing, and requires organisations to verify c... Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:13:38 +1300 http://www.fica.org.nz/blog/#post171607