NZ Logger June 2020 by nzlogger

k c a B to k r o wlast! ISSN 1176-0397

Native Beech reforestation underway

Coping with stress in the bush

June 2020

| $7.20

contents JUNE 2020

FOREST TALK Action Plan in place for forestry industry; WoodTECH 2020 goes digital; Competenz applauds vocational education funding; Biosecurity and conservation jobs earmarked for redeployed workers; Directors take the fall at Invercargill City Forests; FOA welcomes budget allocation for forestry; Forest Growers Levy Trust adjusts to changing market; International Forest Safety Conference with a difference; Back to work at last!; Proposed forestry legislation raises debate; Harvesting heads for all applications; $8m log yard upgrade at Timaru port underway; New branding for Nelson Forests; University student picks up major award; Gisborne train link not on the table says KiwiRail; Support for devastated Australian forests.

BREAKING OUT Some 55,000 hectares of Lakes District Mahu Whanua high country is earmarked for native beech reforestation. Planting seeds rather than cuttings will quicken things up. Fungi play a fascinating role and there will be opportunities for skilled forestry workers. SPECIAL FEATURE: WORKER WELLNESS: STRESS There is clear evidence that stress is having an impact on the health and wellbeing of forestry workers in NZ, particularly now with the extra pressures of COVID-19. What’s causing it and how do we address the problem? SPECIAL FEATURE: WORKER WELLNESS: DRUGS COVID-19 has delivered an unprecedented interruption to normal

39 logging industry routines. Research tells us that probably not all workers dealt with this in a healthy way. A proactive approach to substance abuse includes return-to-work testing and a clear drug policy. 39

TALL TIMBER “If you don’t know how to build and use it, you don’t know how to design it,” says Treescape’s Brandon Whiddett. He certainly walks the talk when it comes to designing and innovating the tools of his trade.

DEPARTMENTS 2 editorial 42 fica 44 top spot 46 in remembrance 47 new iron 51 classifieds June 2020 | NZ LOGGER 1

June 2020

Staying strong in mind and body

| $7.20

at last!

Native Beech reforestation underway

Coping with stress in the bush

It’s been a tough few weeks to get there, but forestry is up and running again.

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WAS RECENTLY ASKED TO TAKE PART IN A LOG PRICE SURVEY WITH my predictions for domestic and export log volumes and prices for the coming year. Let’s just say I had to take a big step back and think. With the world economy turned on its head, nobody is handing out crystal balls. Like it or not, for now the industry looks to China for recovery. The optimistic feel as the first ships left port and the restocking of logs in China began, dropped off after the immediate lockdown recovery and all eyes are waiting to see if the hoped-for slow climb back materialises. As we go to print, that climb is underway, but these are volatile times and we are not out of the woods yet.

Jobs are still on the cutting board – the most recent tragedy being news from timber processing company, Carter Holt Harvey, that it plans to cut staff dramatically, having already closed its Whangārei mill this year. Then there’s the knock-on effect of related industries like Fletcher Building cutting 1000 local jobs. It’s no accident that our special features this month focus on worker wellness. While the gleaming faces in our back-to-work pages are a refreshing sight, stress is a key factor in forestry work under the best of circumstances. With the added pressure of COVID-19 and all it brings with it, on both a social and economic level, forest workers may feel as though they are walking a tightrope. Take a look at the advice gleaned by industry player turned academic, Trevor Best. The good news is that stress is a normal response to abnormal situations and circumstances, and not reflective of any weakness on the part of the affected person. Then there’s the ever-looming presence of drugs in the workplace. We take a practical approach to this growing concern, with a look at workplace testing in response to the toll drugs can take in this high-risk industry, where even the smallest misstep can lead to a fatal accident. If there’s one thing these unprecedented times have taught us, it’s resilience. Just as we have picked up our tools and gone back to work, we are still raising our voices. Government and the forestry and wood-processing sector have joined hands to create a new Action Plan to attract skilled people into the industry. Never an industry to shy away from debate, another initiative, the proposed legislation for stricter regulation of forestry workers, has had a mixed response. Pointless bureaucratic nonsense or a tool for enabling fair trade? You decide. Turn to our Forest Talk pages for a round-up of the debate, as well as news on the ongoing industry support and response to COVID-19. As you put on your hi vis and hard hat greeted by the winter morning chill and re-energise your stiff limbs after the, not necessarily welcomed, but welldeserved break, breathe in the fresh scent of the ngahere – problems or not, there’s no other place like it. Until next time, stay safe. NZL

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forest talk

Action Plan in place for forestry industry A NEW INITIATIVE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT and the forestry and wood-processing sector aims to attract skilled people into the industry. The Action Plan will initially cover the forest-growing industry, including nursery operations and the planting, maintenance management and harvesting of commercial forests, as well as some parts of the primary wood-processing industry, specifically sawmilling and wood treatment. “Forestry will play an important role in New Zealand’s rebuild from COVID-19. The world wants our timber and wood products and the industry needs more workers. There is a huge opportunity for people to retrain and take up work in the industry. It is estimated the forestry and wood-processing sector will need another 5000 workers by 2025. That’s why it’s important for the Government and sector to work together,” says Forestry Minister, Shane Jones. “We need to build a fit-for-purpose education and training system that equips workers to carry out the increasingly sophisticated tasks in sustainable forest management and wood-processing,” he adds. The action plan addresses common forestry and wood processing workforce

challenges by complementing and building on existing initiatives, as well as beginning new ones. “COVID-19 has been an unprecedented global event, but one thing remains the same, New Zealand has some of the best timber and wood products in the world, we need a skilled workforce to keep this sector moving forward, and the world wants our high quality products. We need to seize that opportunity,” says Mr Jones. FICA’s Prue Younger adds that the forestry and wood processing sector provides a huge range of economic and social benefits to New Zealand society, providing jobs as well as generating trade, income and investment. “It also provides environmental benefits, such as climate regulation, water purification and erosion control. Individuals and organisations across the forestry and wood processing sector are already taking steps to attract, train and retain a skilled, safe and productive workforce. This Action Plan, provides a cohesive framework that brings those initiatives together. It builds on work already underway, including the One Billion Trees programme. It also looks to the future and will drive further momentum towards transformational change,” she says.

The Forestry and Wood Processing Workforce Action Plan 2020-2024 and a high level summary can be found on the MPI website: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/funding-andprogrammes/other-programmes/futureskills/ See page 42 for further details on the Action Plan. NZL

WoodTECH 2020 goes digital WORLDWIDE, INDUSTRY EVENTS, TRADE shows and exhibitions planned for 2020 have all been casualties of the COVID-19 virus. Social distancing, tightening of travel and border controls and restrictions on meetings have meant that the WoodTECH 2020 conferences and exhibitions, originally scheduled for mid-late August 2020 in New Zealand and Australia have had to be cancelled. However, working with presenters, technology providers and sponsor’s, the organisers have instead, been able to set up a new format for drymill and wood manufacturing operations. Short 60-90-minute interactive webinars are going to be run from 13-24 July 2020. Like the original event, the new webinar series will showcase local and international leaders as well as some of the early adopters of new and emerging technologies best suited to local wood manufacturing operations.

4 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

“There are a number of key advantages to wood manufacturers still struggling to get back to pre-COVID-19 conditions using this new format,” says Director of the Forest Industry Engineering Association, Brent Apthorp. “Being short sessions, they’ll ensure only a short time for production or operational staff from their work station or business, multiple employees from the same site or operation will be able to be involved and there are significant reductions in attendance costs as there will be no travel, accommodation or two-day conference registration rates involved. “The other big advantage when speaking to the industry is that timing has been set up to enable Australian, New Zealand and North American wood manufacturing operations to be involved – from their own site, office or home at the same time – and, during their normal working day,” says Mr Apthorp.

The series will include insights into the first large scale operational deployment of robotics being used in mills in New Zealand and Australia, along with an inspirational case study of a mill that’s been able to turn its timber manufacturing business on its head by focussing in on the culture of the business. “We’ve also built in an invaluable troubleshooting session for all timber planing and machining operations,” adds Mr Apthorp. Full details on the content, presenters involved and registration information of all six interactive webinars can be found on the event website, www.woodtech.events/wt20 NZL

forest talk

Competenz applauds vocational education funding employers to train up their existing people and $1.6 BILLION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN help those who have lost jobs to retrain. the Trades and Apprenticeships Training package A further $19 million has been set aside for to facilitate the rebuilding of the economy in the group training organisations (GTOs) to retain aftermath of the COVID-19 lockdown, as part of apprentices. the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Together’ Budget. Additionally, the $50 million grant for Māori Industry training organisation Competenz’s CEO, Fiona Kingsford, says, “This is the most apprentices will support at-risk youth, especially substantial Budget to support vocational in sectors like forestry. education in recent times. Competenz relishes These measures will also directly address the the opportunity to ensure our industries, skills shortage New Zealand was facing before apprentices and trainees take full advantage of the pandemic began. Competenz CEO, Fiona Kingsford. the incentives and support to enrol new learners “Only two months ago, prior to the COVID-19 and keep existing ones in training.” lockdown, our industries were crying out for She says the government spend is more important than ever, skilled employees as the skills shortages impacted their businesses. following a forecast by economics consultancy firm Infometrics, This was a consistent story in the 37 sectors that we support,” says estimating that sectors such as general manufacturing and Ms Kingsford. mechanical engineering will see employment decline by as much as She adds that acting quickly to implement these initiatives is key: 10% in the next 12 months. Forestry employment could decline by “It is critical that we don’t pause the momentum to bring young around five percent. people with new skills into our sectors, especially as a number of $412 million has been allocated for employers to retain and keep these sectors have been reliant on skilled migrant labour, and the training their apprentices. This incentivises businesses to retain future of this labour flow is no longer certain. We will communicate younger and more vulnerable staff members in the recovery process. with our employers, learners and industry when we have additional A further $320 million targeted investment will make trade information on how they will be rolled out and the part Competenz training free in these critical industries, which will make it easier for will play in that.” NZL

Biosecurity and conservation jobs earmarked for redeployed workers NEW PROJECTS IN NORTHLAND, EAST COAST, Hawke’s Bay and Canterbury are part of the Government’s $100 million redeployment support package announced in March to tackle the invasive weed, wilding pines – a $4.6 billion dollar threat to farmland, waterways and ecosystems. Up to 160 redeployed workers are set to pick up jobs in 55 such biosecurity and conservation projects to get the regional economy moving again, say Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage. “As we rebuild the economy, linking up people and jobs is vital,” says Mr O’Connor. “This is work that needs to be done and what

we’ve done is accelerate projects which also saves money, as the cost of removing wilding pines rises by 30% each year. “Forestry workers were among the first to feel the economic impact of COVID-19. Their skills translate well to what’s needed for wilding pine pest management, ranging from pulling young trees by hand to skilled chainsaw operation, to operating heavy machinery,” he says. In turn, the new opportunities in conservation jobs are in track maintenance, planting, and pest and weed control, says Mr Sage. “This is an initial set of projects. DOC is working with councils, iwi and community organisations to identify opportunities to ramp

up conservation jobs to help communities recover from COVID-19 while giving nature a helping hand. “Redeployment brings the opportunity to develop new skills, and with on-the-job training, online certifications can be earned relatively quickly. Retraining will be a key part of the country’s economic recovery,” he adds. Opportunities for similar projects exist in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Central North Island, with projects also being scouted in Marlborough, Otago and Canterbury, to give the greatest amount of workers the chance to work close to home. The new projects will provide work for three to six months at a time. NZL

Directors take the fall at Invercargill City Forests INVERCARGILL CITY FORESTS LIMITED chairman Mel Montgomery and fellow directors Ben Nettleton and Rebecca Keoghan have been asked to resign in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic. Holdco, an investment company owned by the city council, owns Invercargill City Forests which is in the process of having its forests sold and being liquidated. Its 14 forests in Southland, Otago and Nelson/

Marlborough have a total productive area of more than 3000 hectares of mostly radiata pine. The forestry company directors were overseeing the sales process at the time of their departure. Holdco chairman, Brian Wood, says he asked the directors to resign as a cost-cutting measure. The directors were costing about $10,000 a month in fees and costs and they had done

90 percent of their work by preparing the company’s forests for sale, he says. He believes it will take three months to sell the forests and liquidate the company. The proceeds from the sale of the forests will be used to repay the debt Invercargill City Forests has with Holdco. ‘’It owes Holdco about $24m, it’s not in a good financial position. It’s been an underperforming investment,’’ he adds. NZL

June 2020 | NZ LOGGER 5

forest talk

FOA welcomes budget allocation for forestry THE FOREST OWNERS ASSOCIATION (FOA) WELCOMES budget measures to assist economic recovery, saying it’s keen to work with government and the rest of the primary industries to implement government investment aimed at reviving the economy after the COVID-19 crisis. President, Phil Taylor, says forestry will have an important role in both employment for exports, and in supporting domestic processing. “Forestry has a lead role in New Zealand’s economic recovery. We are on track to be earning $7 billion a year in export receipts and we are a major employer, especially in regional New Zealand. “We are keen that the $500 million to support the primary sector announced in the Budget will include the forest industry. We will be a major contributor in using our trees in the fight against climate change over the next few years, and there is the need to integrate all land uses in this huge challenge. “The Budget allocation of $43.4 million for ‘Rebuilding Forestry

Emissions Trading Scheme’ appears also to represent a major step in making the ETS a real instrument for this purpose.” Other relevant areas of the Budget include loans to boost research and development, and a spend on improving rail services and ports, both of which are important for log transport and export. “We’ve noted free trades’ training for our increasingly mechanised industry, improved access for Mãori into training, and a boost to Trade and Enterprise for helping access into overseas markets. A larger spend on biosecurity is another investment which will further protect the rural landscape across a range of land use,” says Mr Taylor. “Another important announcement is the $5 billion for building 8,000 new homes. We hope there are government efforts to ensure the use of timber as much as possible. This would reduce the use of carbon emitting steel and concrete and really help our domestic processing industry and we would really support this,” he adds. NZL

Forest Growers Levy Trust adjusts to changing market THE NEW ZEALAND FOREST GROWERS LEVY Trust (FGLT) anticipates borrowing and using reserves to maintain as much of its yearly work programme as possible. The Trust will reduce its work programme by a million dollars, following disruption to forest exports and production caused by the international spread of Coronavirus. FGLT Chair, Geoff Thompson, says it’s anticipating covering an even larger fall in its revenue and is planning on using reserves and borrowing so as not to significantly disrupt its funding of industry good activities. The FGLT previously budgeted to spend $8.5

million in 2020, mostly in forest research, but also other projects, such as health and safety and biosecurity. Income for the FGLT is from a levy on harvested logs, set currently at 27 cents per tonne. Mr Thompson says the outlook for forestry over the short term is highly volatile: “The current market in China for log exports appears healthy, but we know other countries have sought to fill the gap in China which New Zealand has left while we have been in lockdown. “The beetle salvaged spruce trade out of Europe into China is looking to resume, and

there are quantities of bushfire damaged logs now being shipped out of Australia. Likewise, the domestic timber market has been shutdown and nobody is sure what the local demand will be in the new economy which will emerge when Coronavirus is under control.” He says the FGLT will review and revise its budget over the next few months: “That may mean we are able to reinstate the budget-cut we have made if the markets go well enough to fill the gap of the past two months. We are committed to the least disruption as possible to indicate our commitment to the forestry industry.” NZL

International Forest Safety Conference with a difference THE FOREST INDUSTRY ENGINEERING Association’s (FIEA) biennial Forest Safety Conference will go ahead in June – with a difference. The new digital format in response to lockdown restrictions will take place from 16-18 June and an international audience is expected. “While lockdown conditions have forced enormous restrictions on all of us, we have a large, loyal following of safety leaders in forest managers and their contractors. We think they’ll welcome this series,” says FIEA director John Stulen. “We’ve shifted our speakers and their presentations online, taking 12 of our key presenters from our two-day conference to adapt their message to the shorter webinar format,” he says. The digital format will allow for networking

6 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

too. The topics covered include: • Keynote Session: Recognising Fatigue Factors for Positive Workplace Change • Te Kupenga Mahi and other Cultural Factors: Why They Matter for Improving Safety at Work • Adopting and Adapting the Latest Safety Technologies and Practices for Forestry • New Safety Techniques and Technologies for Log Transport & Logistics Mr Stulen says the safety leaders, who number in the hundreds now in forest companies, and their contractors have all been loyal conference delegates since

2013. “Our strong links with Canadian and Australian safety leaders also helps bring new ideas for safety innovations that work in all three countries,” he says. “Hats off to our sponsors who have been 100 percent supportive of us,” he adds. “They have been hugely supportive of this move and we’re working closely with McFall Fuel, VicForests, SafeTree and WorkSafe New Zealand to bring the experience of our practical subject matter experts together like this.” Registrations are open online now at: https://forestsafety.events/#Program NZL

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forest talk

From left: Brett Harpham (Havendale Logging), Jonothan Blithe (Hancock Crew 36 Turner’s Forest) and Mason Elliot (Hancock 38 Te Waka Forest).

Back to work at last! FORESTRY IS UP AND RUNNING AGAIN! With machines on the go and ships sailing from ports, last month saw the return to work of logging contractors, log truck drivers, silviculture crews, earthworks

contractors and forestry companies around the country – all delighted to be back in the great outdoors! It’s been a tough few weeks to get there and with Coronavirus distancing there may be

more talk over two-way radios than in the smoko room, but there are big smiles in the bush right now. See if you can spot yourself or some of your mates in the photos. NZL

Tombleson Logging’s Crew 85 taken in Kinleith Forest with a road-lining crew of six. Loader driver, Ihaka Williams, is on the CAT 548 fixed grapple loader. Photo by foreman, Poro Carroll.

8 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

forest talk

Above from left: Chad Black (Gillion Logging), Jock McPherson (Hancock 38 Te Waka Forest) and TK Tane (Blackstump Logging).

Above from left: Rob Davy, Michael Liddell, Adam Dixon (G White Logging Crew 36) and Kelvin Edwards (Gamble Forest Harvesting).

Justin Morgan and Kelvin Hatcher (Partridge Heavy Haulage).

June 2020 | NZ LOGGER 9

forest talk

Clockwise from top left: Nixin Contractingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barry Pickett (Head breaker out), Nick Cusack (Owner), Neville Biel and Nathan Chaney (Harvest operator). Below: Tombleson Loggingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crew 87. A ground-based, fully-mechanised crew of six with the CAT processor, loader, skidder and faller all at work. Photo by foreman, Jared Wea.

10 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

forest talk

Harvesting heads for all applications WHEN IT COMES TO HARVESTING HEADS, diversity is key. Woods vary. Mill requirements vary. And the purpose of that harvesting head is to perform as a reliable workhorse day-in and day-out. Two new harvesting heads from Waratah help represent that spectrum. On the one hand, the new H212 is a lightweight, agile harvesting and processing head. On the other hand, the new H415HD is a heavy-duty harvesting head with new features and options based on customer feedback and rugged application needs. The H212, the company’s smallest head, is designed for 8-16 metric tonne tracked carriers or 16-18 metric tonne wheeled carriers, while the H415HD was built primarily for 20-25 metric tonne wheeled carriers. “We build harvesting heads for a variety of woods,” says Brent Fisher, Product Marketing Manager for Waratah. “The nimble Waratah H212 is built to perform in dense stands, and the new H415HD provides tree-processing performance, especially in large timber.” Even though the H212 varies drastically from the heavy-duty H415HD, both heads provide the productivity and durability needed to work in tough woods, he says. The H212 provides enhanced productivity for early thinning operations. The multi-purpose head can handle mixed hardwood and softwood stands as well as multi-tree harvesting, processing or debarking applications. Likewise, standard features of the H415HD include an HD tilt frame with thicker steel plate, expander pins for upper tilt cylinder, feed roller arms, and lower delimbing knives – to improve pin durability and frame longevity. Additionally, HD feed motor and hose guards help improve durability. In addition to being featured on the H415HD, most of the new options can be ordered one-by-one for the H415 and H415X.

They are also compatible with older H415 harvester heads and can be purchased through spare parts sales. “We’ll continue to offer the H415 and H415X models, and the new H415HD will be an additional option for our customers looking for that heavy-duty head, especially for wheeled applications,” says Mr Fisher. “They provide the durability our customers have come to expect with the 400 Series line of Waratah heads.” For additional productivity, the H212 features the new SuperCut 100S saw unit with improved auto tensioning and easier servicing, which can fell and process trees up to 520mm in diameter. The delimb arms, which are designed to provide premium delimbing, complement the feeding power and grip of the drive arms on large or crooked stems. Likewise, the processing arm option, with an extended upper and lower knife offset, enables picking stems from the ground or piles to reduce processing time. On the H415HD, expander pins for feed roller arms and lower delimbing knives make quick work of a variety of jobs, while HD feed motor guards and feed motor hose guards help improve hose durability. Loggers can choose straight hoses or hoses that run through the junction box. For increased productivity, the H212’s wide roller and delimb arm opening allow for fast grabbing of standing trees and evenly processing to the smallest top size. The H212’s two-roller-design permits drive arms to float and easily follow crooked or straight stems while also debarking when fitted with debarking options. Also, a long length measuring arm together with twin diameter measuring sensors provide measuring accuracy in all tree species. On the smaller side, the H212 is both durable

The H212 lightweight harvesting and processing head. and nimble. With the ability to weave through the stand, the H212 is ideal for first thinnings in dense stands, providing good visibility for aiming felling cuts as well as pivot position for efficient cutting. All three configurations of the H415 heads now feature the possibility of a wider saw bar and improved saw chain tensioning to reduce chain loss, bar wear and promote more operational productivity. It also creates lower stump heights and more wood recovery with an improved lower delimbing knife profile for larger stem sizes. “We use customer feedback to deliver what our customers need,” says Mr Fisher. “The H212 is our compact little giant in the forest. The H415HD extends durability and provides another configuration to suit customer needs and bolster uptime within the size class of 400 Series model Waratah heads.” NZL

The H415HD heavy-duty harvesting head.

$8m log yard upgrade at Timaru port underway SOME $8 MILLION WILL BE SPENT TO UPGRADE THE LOG YARD at Timaru’s port. PrimePort chief executive, Phil Melhopt, says the project will involve sealing off four hectares of the log yard, plus the haul and access roads in and around it. The construction and timeframe for completion is about 40 weeks. “Work will progress while the log yard is running as well, so it is quite important how they stage things and maintain an operational environment while also improving it,” says Mr Melhopt. He says the project is an important one for the region’s log industry and the port, as it will allow logs to be stored in a cleaner,

safer environment while awaiting export. “It is an important project because the log yard is currently unsealed. It has a gravel surface which has a high maintenance cost and is hard to maintain and to keep from organic matter. When bark, mud and bits and pieces come off the logs, it mixes with gravel, sand and clay and can present contamination on the logs,” he says. He adds that the upgrades will help the logs to meet international and Ministry for Primary Industries phytosanitary requirements for export. “It would also be more efficient and economical to run loaders on a sealed surface than the current gravel surface,” he says. NZL

June 2020 | NZ LOGGER 11

forest talk

Proposed forestry legislation raises debate “THE GOVERNMENT SPEAKERS IN ITS first reading debate seem to think that giving a certificate to someone who buys and sells logs, is going to lead to more logs being processed in New Zealand and not exported,” says Forest Owners Association (FOA) President, Phil Taylor, of the Forests (Regulation of Log Traders and Forestry Advisers) Amendment Bill recently introduced into Parliament. He says the industry anticipates an ‘unacceptable and pointless bureaucratic cost’ to all parts of the forest industry if the Bill, which will go to the Environment Select Committee early next month, becomes law. The proposed legislation requires forestry advisers, log traders and exporters to register and work to nationally agreed practice standards Mr Taylor says the first details forest growers saw of the scheme was when the Bill was introduced: “The Government appears to have no confidence in its own $5 billion spending for new housing units. We hope the government will make sure timber is used extensively for this. Labour promised a wood preference policy in the last election. “That’s how to build demand for timber. You can’t make processors buy more logs without someone to sell their processed timber too. Someone with a clip-board register isn’t going to work.” Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of New Zealand’s Chair, Brian Stanley, disagrees, welcoming the legislation to regulate the behaviour of traders operating in the New Zealand log market. “New Zealand wood processors cannot access local logs because of massive price distortions in the domestic log market that are being caused by overseas subsidies. This legislation will help to ensure that log traders treat New Zealand wood processors and manufacturers fairly – enabling our local processors to add value to NZ logs and provide local employment,” says Mr Stanley. The Amendment Bill proposes a test that persons trading in logs or providing advice are “fit and proper”. Mr Stanley says: “As an industry that prides itself on, and is certified for its ethical practices, we would expect the government to set a high bar for registration here.” Mr Taylor has a different take on its intentions:

12 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

From left: FOA President, Phil Taylor, Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of New Zealand Chair, Brian Stanley and Forestry Minister, Shane Jones.

“Either the new law is going to be a pointless system of adding costs and inefficiencies into the timber supply pipeline, or there is some other hidden intent further down the track in regulations under the new law, which is meant to tie trees in red tape and direct timber growing, harvesting and processing.” He says either way, it’s a disincentive for investment if it goes through: “Just when we have planting picking up again, mostly driven by small scale New Zealand investors and farmers, the government is trying to restrict it. “If ethical behaviour is the problem, then there’s plenty of contract and criminal law to deal with that. If bad advice about planting and selling is the problem, then let the government agency, Te Uru Rākau, step up and provide good advice to forest owners – not persecution.” Mr Taylor says he wonders if the government is also going to target other primary industries to force more domestic processing: “Sometimes the raw material is the best thing – look at apples and kiwifruit. Is the government going to force the wool industry to process more than the current five percent of the national clip in New Zealand carpet mills? We currently process 42 percent of our wood harvest right here in New Zealand – more than eight times the ratio of the wool industry.” Mr Stanley points out that, “As a NZ manufacturing sector feeling the full brunt of unfair industrial support measures overseas, the WPMA would expect the proposed Forestry Authority to enforce standards for sale and purchase agreements for domestic log transactions that reflect the real world price of logs and not prices artificially jacked up by subsidies. “Government subsidies to the wood industry are alive and well overseas. Unless we level the playing field in the NZ log market we will see further loss of jobs in the regions, wood prices to the NZ public driven up, an ongoing disincentive to investment in our industry and the nation’s hopes of a future zero-carbon economy based on the wood industry dashed. We are not calling on the NZ government to match these subsidies – they are illegal under WTO law – but asking for regulations that remove the extreme marketskewing effect that these foreign subsides have here.”

Mr Taylor adds that the legislation should be heard by the Primary Production Select Committee, not the Environment Select Committee: “The government says the bill is going to be about ethical behaviour and timber processing. So why go to the Environment Select Committee? Forestry operations are governed by the National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry. It’s the most comprehensive list of environmental regulations under the Resource Management Act. It took eight years to complete. Now something is coming through which the government wants to sort in 15 days.” Forestry Minister Shane Jones believes the legislation will strengthen the integrity of New Zealand’s forestry supply chain during the more volatile and uncertain trading environment during the COVID-19 recovery period: “New Zealand’s log supply market is in transition, with smaller owners playing an increasingly important role in the annual harvest. Knowing that only registered professionals can provide forestry advice is expected to give growers greater confidence in the recommendations they receive on the management and valuation of their investment, and the financial returns achieved through the sales and purchase process,” Mr Jones says. He adds: “The COVID-19 crisis showed us how an overreliance on log exports to a small number of markets makes our forestry industry less resilient and more susceptible to global forces. Industry consultation identified that improved professional standards, market assurance measures and better information resources were critical areas to enable a more integrated system. The quality of advice from forestry advisers and interactions with log traders is critical to the financial returns forest growers receive, and to the operation of the broader log market. According to the Bill, Forestry advisers will need to demonstrate they have the relevant skills, experience and qualifications to advise growers, and undertake training and professional development in their specialist areas. In addition, log trading entities will need to pass a fit and proper person test, operate in accordance with industry standards, and meet record keeping and reporting requirements. The Bill also allows for an arbitration and compliance system to support accountability. NZL

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forest talk

New branding for Nelson Forests

Photos: Tree planting in OneFortyOne forests. NELSON FORESTS HAS REBRANDED ITSELF AS ONEFORTYONE New Zealand and restarted activities in its forest estate and Marlborough’s Kaituna Sawmill to help fuel the region’s economic recovery. The company has more than 80,000 productive hectares of plantations in the Nelson-Marlborough region as well as the Kaituna Sawmill, near Blenheim. It employs around 120 people full time and about 300 contractors, producing 1.2 million cubic metres of logs and 55,000 cubic metres of timber annually. Australian company OneFortyOne purchased Nelson Forests and the sawmill in 2018 and in March this year, Nelson Forests adopted the OneFortyOne brand – though the rebranding project began before the coronavirus pandemic emerged. Over 50% of the timber from the Nelson Forests estate is delivered to the domestic market and 60% of its timber customers are Australasian. “OneFortyOne’s new brand encouraged us to think about wood fibre, rather than just logs which means we are ready to think about innovative products that meet future customer needs,” says Executive General

14 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

Manager NZ, Lees Seymour. The company has begun replanting 2000 hectares of hill country in the top of the South Island, signalling its ongoing confidence in the forestry industry and delivering high quality wood products to the domestic market, he says: “What this means for our business is strong integration with the domestic economy and other New Zealand businesses that support this country’s recovery, resilience, and growth. It also means we have an existing clear line of sight and deep, functional relationships between those who grow our trees, those who harvest them, those who mill them, and those who market our wood fibre products.” However, Mr Seymour says that the export market has an important role to play in terms of spreading risk due to cyclical downturns in the domestic market. “It diversifies customer opportunities, offers alternative markets for products that are not in demand from our domestic customers and provides a channel for salvage from fire or pests, as well as securing ongoing job opportunities,” he says. Worker safety, environmental guardianship, and community engagement are also priorities: “As an example, we protect the more than 9000 hectares of indigenous vegetation reserves within the plantation, including wetlands, and other forest areas that provide habitat to New Zealand’s fauna and invest more than $200,000 in community projects every year.” Mr Seymour believes that as the wider forestry industry approaches challenges posed by COVID-19 it can look to the lessons businesses such as OneFortyOne New Zealand have learned over the years: “There is a lot of experience and knowledge in our industry that can be constructively supported by work on domestic market development. Now is the time to get alongside one another, share our expertise, and work together to make the most of our industry as a key provider of economic recovery and growth.” NZL

forest talk

University student picks up major award A UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY FORESTRY STUDENT has received top forest industry honours with a major scholarship being awarded. This year’s Southern Wood Council (SWC) Scholarship has been awarded to Nic Melvin, a Bachelor of Forestry Science student, studying at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch. Nic, from a strong forestry and farming background in Dipton, Southland has a long family history in the industry. Both sides of the family can trace their family history back to Southland’s early settlement way back in the 1860’s. His father has been a contract tree feller and run his own portable sawmilling operation, which Nic has been involved with from an early age. Nic Melvin The Melvin family, on coming to Southland were also sawmillers so it runs in his blood. Having had “hands on experience” since a very young age, Nic wanted to pursue a degree in forestry science and is now completing his second year in the degree course at Canterbury University. “I am pursuing a career in forestry as I want to work outdoors and do something where I can make a difference. Coming from Dipton, a small rural community in Southland, I have a great appreciation of the

Gisborne train link not on the table says KiwiRail WHILE GISBORNE DISTRICT COUNCIL SAYS THE refurbishment of the train line between Gisborne and Wairoa is a project that could bolster the economy, KiwiRail says it would be too costly. The Council says up to $23.3 million is needed for the project while KiwiRail says it could be up to five times more to reinstate the mothballed track. It also says there is no guarantee of sufficient southbound freight to justify the proposed multimillion-dollar investment. Feeling the pinch of reduced train services due to COVID-19, KiwiRail says it will focus on building freight volumes on existing lines. A feasibility study, led by Berl economists and released late last year, found there was enough freight out of Gisborne to justify running a 24-wagon train on the line to Napier each weekday, as well as a daily 24-wagon log service, with each wagon carrying the load of one truck but KiwiRail says there is a great deal of variability in freight volumes from day to day. Storm damage led to the closure of the railway between Gisborne and Napier in 2012, but the Wairoa-Napier section of the track reopened last June, thanks to $6.2m from the Provincial Growth Fund. KiwiRail says the train line between Gisborne and Wairoa presents more maintenance challenges than the track between Wairoa and Napier. NZL

needs such communities face,” says Nic. “By studying this professional degree, I am learning the skills necessary to help make a difference in the forestry industry, one that is growing and changing but short on the qualified professionals it needs,” he adds. The Scholarship is the eighth that has been awarded to students as part of an annual scholarship programme set up by the Council in 2011. The annual scholarship awarded by the SWC is one of the most prestigious and valuable awarded to forestry students in New Zealand. In any one year, the SWC can have up to $13,500 committed to three student scholarships. “The Annual Scholarship is an opportunity for forestry and wood products companies in the lower South Island to put back something into the industry and to support outstanding students studying towards either the Forestry Science or Forest Engineering courses at the School of Forestry,” says SWC Chairman, Grant Dodson. “The SWC is delighted to award this year’s scholarship to Nic and the industry is keen to continue to support the current scholarship recipients, both in their study and in their future employment,” he adds. NZL

Support for devastated Australian forests AU$15 MILLION IN FREIGHT SUPPORT FOR BURNT TIMBER HAS been allocated as part of the Australian National Bushfire Industry Recovery Package. The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has welcomed the support but emphasises that more help is needed for the industry to recover. Assistant Minister responsible for Forestry, Senator Jonathon Duniam, says the funding will help ensure the industry can source the timber it needs for operations and to support jobs. Chief Executive of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Ross Hampton, says the bushfires have had a devastating impact on all sectors of the industry: “From forest growers to harvest contractors to hardwood and softwood timber and paper products processing and manufacturing. In many areas forest and fibre industries are the major economic driver and many thousands of regional workers rely on them thriving for their long-term future.” NZL

June 2020 | NZ LOGGER 15

Breaking Out

Growing native forest Story: Jim Childerstone

OME 55,000 HECTARES OF LAKES DISTRICT MAHU Whanua high country is earmarked for native forests. The ideal trees are native beech varieties and the under-story secondary growth is Manuka to help establishment . The object is to quicken up what could be a long-term programme by planting seeds rather than cuttings or seedling trees. This cuts out timeconsuming nursery plantings. The area involved is the North Harris Mountains between Wanaka and the Shotover River, familiar territory to this writer. It includes four former high country stations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mount Soho, Glencoe, Motatapu and Coronet Peak.

16 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

Fifteen years ago they were purchased by South African-born song writer Mutt Lange and Canadian (now ex-partner) Shania Twain. The terrain varies from very steep to rolling, with deep river gorges, flat terraces and bushy valleys, where pockets of Mountain and Red Beech have survived. But much of it was Tussock country taken over in the last 150 years by exotic shrubs, vines and both deciduous trees and conifers. The latter are now considered an invasive pest, particularly since livestock were removed by the new owners, currently the prime plant pest. Also, large areas were over-sown with exotic grasses and clovers. The land is now operated by Mount Soho Properties and most of the

est directly from seed

The vast variations of the 55,000 hectare area include Lake Wanaka. Photo by Mahu Whenua Ridgeline Homestead & Eco Sanctuary, pictured here.

area has been placed under QEII Trust covenants since 2015. Now the battle is how to introduce natives into new areas. The main problem is getting rid of the exotic conifers and other vegetation. Beech establishes itself on mostly medium to high rainfall areas east of the Main Divide. However, as with all vegetation, it is site-specific and requires special conditions to get started from scratch. This includes protection through sub canopy plants, soil conditions and fungi that aid its growth (see article on page 21). And this currently is being researched by the Otago University Botany division. The Reforestation from Seeds Project Ngā Kākano Whakahau has the support of Forestry New Zealand’s One Billion Trees Partnership

Fund of $825,000 over three years. Major trials have started in the area in collaboration between the University, QEII Trust, Department of Conservation and Taege Engineering (a farm machinery design company). Leading the project is the University’s Professor Janice Lord, with colleagues Dr Mathew Larcombe and Professor David Orlovich. They are attempting to find a quicker way of growing native forest directly from seed. One experiment involves the introduction of a mycorrhizal fungi, a vital cog in germinating beech seed, now underway on plots. If this proves successful, where contour is suitable, seed could be sown mechanically

June 2020 | NZ LOGGER 17

Breaking Out

Above: Otago University students, DoC staff and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage look at trial plots at the Matutapu terraces. Photo: Rob Wardle. Opposite: Beech establishes itself on mostly medium to high rainfall areas. Photo: Mahu Whenua Ridgeline Homestead & Eco Sanctuary. with tractor and seed drill with added fungi/nutrient mix. And the university researchers believe that with the current hold-up thanks to the COVID-19 downturn, it could open opportunities for forestry workers. Alternative openings for forestry workers The project has highlighted ways in which forestry workers could supplement their income, including collecting Manuka seeds. Some further training in seed cleaning and preparation would be needed according to Professor Lord, but forestry workers are already trained for working in the bush (see article on page 20). Good quality manuka seed sells for $1200 a kilogram, and existing supply is limited. If native forest, including Manuka, could be re-established quicker as a result of this research, this approach could be introduced elsewhere in New Zealand. Increased growing of Manuka could generate more lucrative honey and essential oil production, and help make more native seeds available commercially, says Professor Lord. Otago University researchers believe that when scaled up, these restoration approaches could help regional development, including ecotourism and contracting services. It is clear that the reforestation project and carbon sequestration were what attracted the One Billion Trees Partnership Fund. Exactly how much of this area can be restored to natives is open to question. Ex high country station owners Brian Dagg, who has established his own trial on Coronet Peak, and Russell Hamilton, supervisor of Soho Properties, are enthusiastic that the project will succeed. Brian Dagg reckons the most suitable areas would be the wetter south

18 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

facing slopes, valleys and gullies where some stands of Beech already exist. Having frequently mustered these hills, Brian says stock tends not to damage Beech trees, but it is a different matter with deer and goats. These have largely been eliminated but would require continued surveillance. His own Manuka and Kanuka stands suit the drier slopes, but act as a support plant for beech on the edges of existing stands. Russell Hamilton, in his seventies, and one-time owner of Routeburn Station, says he is a great admirer of Red Beech for its prolific growth ability and products where it can be sustainably used. The station’s boundary adjoined the Sylvan Lake Red Beech forest which had been select-stem logged back in the 1920s and ’30s. The timber, a recognised hardwood, was used to build bridges at the time. Regeneration has since formed a full canopy. He welcomes the QEII project and feels it should succeed in the long term to cover at least 17,000ha of the trust area. “Mountain Beech can grow in some of the most difficult sites – even off bluffs,” he says. Something this writer can vouch for having photographed Beech on unassailable sites. Writer’s note: Having spent many years working in the high country, deer and goat shooting in the Harris and Richardson mountains, working on the Wakatipu Rabbit Board, and prospecting for gold up in the Arrow, it would be heartening to see regeneration of natives. The more recent problem was trying to bush bash through thorny sweet briar, rose hip, lawyer bush, broom, gorse and wilding conifers that have sprung up over this millennium. NZL

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Breaking Out

If successful, the project will require skilled workers in the future. Photo: Rob Wardle.

Opportunities for skilled forestry workers Story: Jim Childerstone

TEVE JOHNSON FORESTRY SERVICES HAS BEEN IN THE business of training forestry silviculture skills for many years. Currently his team is training students under the Pathways course covered in the May 2020 edition of NZ Logger. He believes the NgÄ KÄ kano Whakahau reforestation project, if successful, would require the expertise of skilled workers in the future. Steve says silviculture workers are trained in pre-planting ground preparation. Sites need to be free for access and planting of seedlings or seeds on steep slopes. This could mean brush cutting using slashers or chainsaws with emphasis on Health & Safety, part of the training schedule. Much of the Maha Whenua QEII is covered in exotic brush wood and wilding conifer spread. These workers are trained to tackle steep slopes to get seedlings into the ground, requiring strict Health & Safety supervision. Seed pre-emergence still needs tending, keeping weeds down through grubbing or spraying to give emerging plants a break. Post emergence of seedlings still needs care, so as not to be overtaken by surrounding scrub. Steve has found some trainees have a desire to work with native trees, which can require much the same attention as exotics. Included in the current Pathways course for final year high school students, one trainee has opted to train into native tree cultivation.

20 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

He was advised the Department of Conservation would be an ideal occupation after graduation. Also future work with the QEII Trust may be in the offing. Steve is enthusiastic that if the Maha Whenua project works out he would be willing to include native tree management as part of one of his courses. He says he would seek advice from the University. NZL

Beech seeds earmarked for planting. Photo: Rob Wardle.

Above left: Direct drilling Manuka seeds in Motatapu Station. Photo: Professor Janice Lord. Above right: Beech remnants are also sources of EM fungi for innoculating restoration trials. Photo supplied by Professor Janice Lord.

Fungi vital for native beech reforestation T Story: Jim Childerstone

HE OTAGO UNIVERSITY RESEARCH TEAM HAS, FOR the last two years, been working on the restoration of native forests. A pilot study in 2018, funded by the NZ Bioheritage National Science Challenge and the QEII National Trust, led to the threeyear partnership grant with the Ministry for Primary Industries under Te Uru Rakau’s 1 Billion Trees Programme. The object of the Ngā Kākano Whakahau project is to optimise methods for re-establishing native forest using seeds and beneficial fungi. The large-scale trials are being conducted on High Peak Station, Canterbury, and on Motatapu Station, Otago, part of the Soho Properties QEII National Trust covenant of nearly 55,000 ha. Both areas were historically dominated by Beech forest and a vital booster for Beech restoration is the availability of native ecto-mycorrhizal fungi. Led by Professor Janice Lord, the research team based in the University’s Botany Department has been working on techniques to reintroduce beneficial native fungi during native re-afforestation. Beech tree roots needed to be colonised by ecto-mycorrhizal (EM) fungi to attain enough phosphorus and nitrogen in naturally nutrientlimited soils. She explains where native forest had been taken out by pastoral farming, burned or invaded by exotic vegetation, native fungi that have a mutualistic relationship with the trees, had disappeared. Research is now comparing methods for introducing fungal spores to seeds. It has found that the most common EM mushrooms collected from Manuka and Beech forests were from the genus Cortinarius, which is the most important EM genus in New Zealand. Like all EM fungi, the fungal hyphae of Cortinarius can be seen growing on the outside of their host’s roots and are particularly diverse in mature Beech forest. Under normal conditions, Beech roots cannot acquire enough phosphorus and nitrogen unless they are infected with ecto-mycorrhizal fungi (ecto = outside, mycor =fungus, rhiza=root i.e. fungus coats the outside of the root, commonly referred to as EM fungi). The fungi

network is far more efficient at gathering these nutrients from the soil and supplies them to the Beech roots. In turn the fungi gains sugars from the beech. This mutualism is common worldwide and well-known to the forestry industry, as pines and eucalypts also rely on EM fungi. Among NZ native trees, Beech (all five species) are the only trees that obligately rely on EM fungi. Manuka and Kanuka can form associations with EM fungi but can also manage with just the more common AM (arbuscular mycorrhizal) fungi (that most other native trees form associations with). The research group is currently optimising methods for spore extraction, storage and viability testing. Professor Lord says that while fresh spores show the highest viability, cool or dry storage for later use is feasible. However, pioneer EM fungi may be more suitable for Beech restoration projects than fungi from mature forests. In line with these findings, the project also includes work on large-scale establishment of Manuka from seed. Manuka can host some EM fungi that benefit Beech and establishes more rapidly from seed, leading to a pioneer community with potential for economic return, while facilitating Beech reforestation over time. NZL

The research team used nets under remnant Beech patches to catch seeds during mast seeding in year 2018/2019. These seeds are now being used in trials. Photo: Professor Janice Lord.

June 2020 | NZ LOGGER 21

Breaking Out Red Beech, as shown in these forests, is a popular native hardwood, which can yield up to $60.00 per cubic meter in royalties for the grower. Photo: Mahu Whenua Ridgeline Homestead & Eco Sanctuary.

Sustainable hardwood production Story: Jim Childerstone

EFORESTATION OF RED BEECH ON EASY CONTOUR Manu Whenua SOHO properties is expected to earn income from carbon credits under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). But could it not be a source of income under a sustainably managed harvest scheme on maturity after 60 years? Red Beech is a popular native hard wood, which can yield up to $60.00 per cubic meter in royalties for the grower. This was the accepted value paid to the Department of Conservation during recovery of wind-blown trees after Cyclone Eta under the temporary Act at the time. However Red Beech is continuing to be harvested under the current Forestry Act for Sustainability. Research by Timberlands West Coast scientists prior to 1990 found that limited select-stem logging actually encouraged prolific regeneration of Red Beech. Led by Kit Richards, researchers experimented with a private stand of Beech in the Buller region. What was attractive to conservationists was that this cut into exports of unsustainably logged forests from overseas. Timber was being exported from Indonesia, Malaysia and South America, including the Amazon. Up in the Buller area today a privately run operation involving an ex-Timberlands forester extracts three to four stems (between 4-6 tonnes) per hectare on a 15-year rotation. Ages of trees vary from 60-80 years. The logs are heli-lifted out, leaving no tracking. These logs are now processed in Christchurch by recently named Health Based Buildings. Wood is cut into various products including furniture, interior facings,

22 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

exterior cladding, flooring, decking and various feature uses. It presents attractive striking red and mottled colouring, and can be laminated for building strength. It has been recorded that with the forest canopy break, seedling growth races for the light at similar rates to fast growing Radiata Pine, reaching 20 metres within 25 years. Forest owners are committed to putting 20% of royalties back into management for pest control and conservation, usually about $20.00p/ha. This is many times greater than what DoC is allocated. NZL

Reforestation of Red Beech is expected to earn income from carbon credits. Photo: Rob Wardle.

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DEALING WITH STRESS IN THE FORESTRY Story: Hayley Leibowitz Photos: Professor Rien Visser, School of Forestry, University of Canterbury

HE FORESTRY INDUSTRY IS PART of an occupational group (forestry and farming) that makes up 6.8% of male suicide victims in NZ, with deaths by suicide likely to exceed accidental workplace deaths according to the Suicide Mortality Review Committee. With mental distress having such a strong impact on forestry workers, PhD student Trevor Best, undertook his thesis on Stress and the NZ Forest Industry Workforce at the School of Forestry (University of Canterbury). With 26 years of industry experience, he says there is clear evidence that stress is having an impact on the health and wellbeing of the forest industry workforce in NZ, particularly now with the extra pressures of COVID-19. Feeling stressed about an abnormal situation like being out of work as a result of the Covid-19 shutdown is a perfectly normal response, he says. “Like all situational stressors, the stress will go once the problem goes. The logging workforce is highly skilled and adaptable. How the situation will impact the industry will depend on how quickly production gets up and running again. However, it will also be impacted by how quickly other industries get moving. For example, after the 1998 Asian Currency crisis shut down, the East Coast lost a lot of good truck drivers as they

had work elsewhere by the time logging was back up and running. That same risk may also apply today and now may include the increasing number of machine operators working in the industry.” However, the problems run deeper than the current situation says Trevor: “Work has the potential to enhance a person’s sense of wellbeing and the psychosocial domains

known to contain conditions hazardous to a person’s health also have the potential to promote good health. However, there are several good reasons why industry managers and leaders may not be aware of either the existence of a workplace stress problem, its impact or potential. It is therefore important to consider where the opportunities for enhancing wellbeing may

This Tiger Cat grapple skidder under load takes skill to manoeuvre.

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Special Feature: Worker Wellness

lie within the forestry industry.” He adds that focusing purely on the job and immediate workplace conditions can block the impact of the wider social context. Forest management practice also needs to identify the links between family, the community and the workplace that may either increase or reduce workforce stress. “Simply minimising risk isn’t always the answer (or even always possible), rather effectively managing those hazards to promote health and performance for both individuals and the organisations can be more effective,” he says. What’s causing the stress? Hazards in the workplace include physical or mental fatigue, drugs, alcohol, shock, or even a temporary condition that affects a person’s behaviour according to the Law. So, the interpretation of the word ‘health’ must include both mental and physical health. However, there is more to health than simply reducing harm. “Designing a workplace and work processes that go beyond the potential of

reducing harm, to focus on the potential of psychosocial factors to deliver both quality of life to the worker and value to the organisation through better worker productivity and sustainability is the challenge. Particularly so in the logging workplace where lots of decisions are being made at relatively high speed by people working in relative isolation from each other, while having significant impacts on each other’s ability to do their individual jobs well,” says Trevor. And when a feature of logging is also geographic isolation, just maintaining networks with suppliers and other contractors and being involved in the day-today happenings of family life is challenging. There’s no just popping out for 30 minutes to chat with your mechanic or to the school to support your kid at Athletics Day. The Health & Safety in the Workplace Act 2015 places the Health & Safety responsibility on both the forest owner or manager and the contractor as “persons in charge of a business undertaking”. While the legal challenge for the forestry industry

is to design workplaces and processes that are safe, Trevor urges forest owners and contractors to move beyond the legislation and view this as an opportunity to see the potential this responsibility has for promoting both the relationship they have with their workforce and the value it can add to their businesses. Health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, poor lung function due to high levels of smoking, and high levels of substance abuse, all have some association with stress as responses to mental distress. (See articles starting on page 34.) “What is also understood is that mental distress and strain has significant negative impacts on business profitability and sustainability. Presenteeism (presenting for work while sick or injured) has been shown to reduce productivity with a cost impact that is four times the cost of treating the condition,” says Trevor. According to one report, more than 50% of forest workers surveyed had worked while sick or injured and 46% had worked while overtired. In turn, a reduction in

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psychological health has also been associated with the sort of risky and dangerous behaviour that can lead to accidents. Worksafe NZ’s National Health and Safety Attitudes and Behaviours Survey (NHABS) noted that “stress-related or mental illness was more likely to be identified as a long-term health problem by workers who had personally experienced a serious harm incident or a near miss incident”. So, you have a vicious circle: exposure to risk generates mental health conditions that pre-dispose a person to act in a way that results in an incident that, through the reaction to any trauma, may result in a deterioration in mental health, increasing the likelihood that the affected worker will be involved in an accident or unable or unwilling to continue working. “Finally, those workers exposed to the worst psychosocial environments have also been shown to be less likely to engage in re-training or further learning, something that should be of concern to an

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Special Feature: Worker Wellness

(continued from page 27) industry looking to adapt to the physical safety risks through the introduction of mechanised harvesting systems and increase its workforce to take advantage of its opportunities for growth,” says Trevor. He adds that, in relying on a workforce that is contracted in through businessto-business relationships rather than directly employing workers, forest owners and managers do not have the direct relationship with worker health and safety that would enable awareness of stress and its impacts: “Despite widespread annual physical health checks of workers by contractors there is no consistent and centralised assessment process in operation within the industry. The generally available investigation methods used to provide a learning feedback loop after an accident are unable to take psychosocial factors and any resulting stress into account. Those charged with managing health and safety within the NZ forestry industry could well be operating somewhat unaware of the potential of stress to be impacting the welfare of the workforce.”

Add to that workplace bullying and harassment – given that the NZ Workplace Barometer lists forestry as one of the industries with the highest reported prevalence levels of bullying (greater than 10% of respondents reported having been bullied) – and solutions are urgently needed. The definition of bullying used by the survey required the harassment to occur over a period of time and involve one or several perpetrators. Addressing the problem From the work-related psychosocial hazards identified by the World Health Organisation in the table opposite, it seems clear that answers to the problem need to come from addressing the explanations given. Job insecurity is another concern for workers, along with burnout. Furthermore, access to health care is a significant factor. “Any industry reliant on a rurally located workforce in NZ should be cognisant of the reduction in access to health care for those who live outside the urban centres due to health service re-structuring between 19802001 and the consequential differences in

the rates of decline in all-cause mortality rates between urban and rural regions,” says Trevor in his thesis. A NZ survey found that 19% of participants experienced fatigue often or always and confirmed that the total workday length was increasing, that there were substantial groups of workers who had compromised break times and that there had been a reduction in the number of workers getting two consecutive days off in every seven days in the preceding 10 years. “This is enough to warrant concern amongst forest managers and to raise the question: What should I be doing about it?,” says Trevor. Stressors outside the workplace such as drug use in worker families and communities, insecure and overcrowded accommodation and conflict with unemployed family members highlight the need to also focus on family, the community, and wider societal issues such as gender, status and socioeconomic status. Studies from outside the industry have also highlighted the potential of family conflict to impact a worker’s performance and wellbeing.

It's lonely at the top (even if the scenery is great).

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Work-related psychosocial hazards Psychosocial Hazard

Explanation

Job content

Lack of variety or short work cycles, fragmented or meaningless work, under-use of skills, high uncertainty, continuous exposure to people through work.

Workload and work pace

Work overload or underload, machine pacing, high levels of time pressure, continually subject to deadlines.

Work schedule

Shift working, night shifts, inflexible work schedules, unpredictable hours, long or unsociable hours.

Environment and equipment

Inadequate equipment availability, suitability or maintenance, poor environmental conditions such as lack of space, poor lighting, excessive noise.

Control

Low participation in decision-making, lack of control over workload, pacing, shift working.

Organisational culture and function

Poor communication, low levels of support for problem-solving and personal development, lack of definition of, or agreement on, organisational objectives.

Interpersonal relationships at work

Social or physical isolation, poor relationships with superiors or co-workers, interpersonal conflict, lack of social support.

Role in organisation

Role ambiguity, role conflict, and responsibility for people.

Career development

Career stagnation and uncertainty, under-promotion or over-promotion, poor pay, job insecurity, low social value to work.

Home-work interface

Conflicting demands of work and home, low support at home, dual career problems.

Source: World Health Organisation 2008.

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Special Feature: Worker Wellness

“However, the reverse also has the potential to be true,” says Trevor. “What may appear to be the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices (smoking, use of drugs and alcohol, a carbohydrate-dense diet associated with obesity, diabetes and hypertension) could be, in part, a negative avoidant coping response to stress arising from work or the situations workers find themselves in as a result of the way their work is organised.” How then does a forest owner or manager counteract the negative impacts of psychosocial hazards in forest workplaces given the complexity of those hazards? “Changing the mental health conditions of a workplace is best achieved by recognising that risk factors have the potential to also be protective and that stress observed at work will most likely originate with multiple psychosocial factors, some of which will be located outside of the direct relationship with the employee or, indeed, outside of the workplace in families, the community or society. Risk prevention invariably means looking outside the day-to-day work and workplaces in which forest workers are directly engaged. Within the organisation it means looking at the forest management practices and operations that invariably impact the way work is organised and completed within the forest,” says Trevor. He adds that the industry is dominated by men who will “conform to the dominant constructs of masculinity whether that helps or hinders the industry’s efforts to mitigate the health risks of stress”.

Challenges on the landing.

TREVOR BEST HAS spent 33 years either managing operational workforces or consulting to contractors, with 26 years of that time spent directly involved in the forestry and logging industry. A desire to help others on a one-to-one level led to assisting men on sentences to re-engage with the workforce and this work gave Trevor the opportunity to return to university to study. Trevor says his PhD research represents an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of the forestry industry and the rural communities in which it operates. The key research funders include the Forest Growers Levy Trust, Forest Industry Safety Council, NZ Institute of Forestry and MPI. Trevor is currently looking for participants for part of his research on stress in machine

Working with that dominant construct means involving those men in the design, decision-making and implementation of any efforts to mitigate mental health risks. “At its heart, the issue of providing a safe and well-working environment is a moral and ethical issue,” Trevor concludes. “Work should not only take place in a safe and healthy working environment, but the

operators in forestry. The forestry industry is pursuing a strategy of increasing the use of mechanised harvesting systems as a way of reducing the number of serious injury and fatal accidents by those working on the felling face. While this will reduce exposure to physical hazards, hazards in the psychosocial environment (such as low job control and conflict between work, home and community life) and impact worker behaviour and wellbeing, little is known about the psychosocial risks in operation within the industry, says Trevor. Forest workers have reported that stress is their biggest health risk and machine operators are reported to be the subset of workers in the poorest health condition. Given the relationship between stress and risky and dangerous behaviour, it is imperative the industry develops an understanding of how stress operates within the lives of this group of workers to ensure the desired safety outcomes are achieved, says Trevor. If you are interested in taking part (confidentially), contact Trevor at trevor.best@pg.canterbury. ac.nz or text 027 432 3155. NZL

conditions of work should be consistent with workers’ wellbeing and human dignity and that work should offer real possibilities for personal achievement, self-fulfilment and service to society. In other words, the imperative with Health & Safety management is to go beyond ensuring workers survive, to enabling workers to thrive.” NZL

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Special Feature: Worker Wellness

Worker wellness and r Story and Photos: Kirk Hardy, CEO, The Drug Detection Agency

A job well done without the influence of drugs.

HE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DELIVERED AN unprecedented interruption to normal logging industry routines. The Drug Detection Agency’s (TDDA) experience and global research tells us that probably not all workers dealt with this in a healthy way. Our recommendation is that the logging industry use this time as a chance to push the reset button and ensure team members return safely and efficiently by mitigating drug and alcohol risks. It’s a great time to remember, whether operating heavy logging equipment or sitting behind a desk, that the company’s drug and alcohol policy still applies. Also, if workers have been using substances while away, they are not only putting their direct health and wellbeing at risk but also their and others’ safety at risk.

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Benefits of a drug-free work environment We encourage employers to remind and reintroduce a drug-free philosophy to returning and new employees. Because you now have a fresh new start, remember that drug and alcohol policies are not simply words on a paper that can easily be forgotten. Effectively communicating a drug and alcohol-free philosophy plays a pivotal role in creating a successful, drug-free working environment where staff come to work feeling happy, safe and protected. All workers want to feel safe on the job and know that their employer is doing everything they can to eliminate risks. This is especially true for high-risk industries like logging, where even the smallest misstep can lead to a fatal accident. A drug-free environment is also a more positive and supporting environment where people tend to perform better and are more likely to reach their professional goals.

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d return-to-work testing

Special Feature: Worker Wellness Flouting the rules

Why accreditation matters

Experts predicted increased substance use as people struggled to cope with the lockdown, because research shows that substance use increases during extended periods away from normal work routines. At TDDA we’ve received a number of calls from employers concerned about their workers openly flouting substance use on social media. Ensure your return-to-work plan includes drug testing as a vital component. Knowing that the people in a logging operation are HSWA2015 compliant will give owners, managers and fellow workers peace of mind.

The forestry industry was arguably the hardest hit during the COVID19 pandemic. We understand that companies are under pressure, but now is not the time to consider DIY testing. Conducting drug tests in a non-controlled environment is unsafe, diminishes the validity and credibility of the test, and the likes of saliva or alcohol breath testing can fuel the spread of COVID-19 if carried out incorrectly. A workplace accident involving drugs or alcohol and a non-compliant testing regime can lead to longer shutdowns of a business, or worse. Professional, accredited testing services ensure that employees are treated with dignity and respect and that their privacy is protected at all times. They also ensure a business is protected and that any drug and alcohol mishaps will withstand a legal challenge. Take this opportunity to protect your employees by investigating education programmes, testing regimes and policy design, as it’s so much better to be safe than sorry. TDDA has ISO15189:2012 accreditation for workplace drug testing (see NATA and IANZ websites for further detail). www.tdda.com NZL

Return-to-work testing TDDA has received a lot of questions about return-to-work testing for forestry workers returning from their level four and level three hiatuses. For a healthy and safe work environment, we highly recommend you consider it. It’s best that you know and understand the signs of substance abuse and how to deal with them effectively and professionally – or consult a professional for guidance. A proactive approach to teams returning to their jobs is better than a reactive one. Return-to-work testing is the most effective way to make sure people are fit for work and won’t compromise the workplace safety and reputation. During interviews, forestry managers need to also clearly outline their standards and expectations on drug-use and testing to new employees. It’s critical at this stage to reiterate the importance of a drug-free workplace for Health & Safety. The rules and guidelines should outline the intentions for drug testing and what methods of assistance will be given to those employees who test positive or voluntarily admit they have issues. Again, you have a chance right now to push the reset button on health, safety and wellbeing. Take this chance to tell your team that pre-employment and return-to-work testing will be conducted before a decision of employment is made. In this way ensure that the company is committed to managing drugs and alcohol in the workplace so that potential employees are aware of this from the start.

TDDA CEO Kirk Hardy.

The TDDA Taupo branch recently conducted testing at NZ Forest Managers.

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Eliminating Cannabis Risks Story and Photos: Kirk Hardy, CEO, The Drug Detection Agency

S WE ALL KNOW, FORESTRY IS AN important industry and driver of New Zealand’s economy, and it’s an industry that does its very best to follow the highest Health & Safety measures. Sadly, it is also an industry with significant risks where work-related injuries and fatalities still happen. Under the HSWA2015, employers have a responsibility to ensure their workplaces are safe and their employees are not working under the influence and are without risk to others. As a result, workplace drug testing has become important in the safetysensitive forestry industry where employees operate heavy machinery and

require their full cognitive abilities. That means a responsible employer regularly enacts random, with reasonable cause, post-incident and pre-employment testing of their workforce. Good testing helps eliminate drugs like cannabis and methamphetamine being used by workers operating dangerous logging equipment or even just driving between sites, and it ensures companies remain compliant and have the processes to withstand a legal challenge. According to TDDA’s (The Drug Detection Agency) in-house testing data, cannabis remains the most common drug found in its forestry testing and

is also the most common drug found in 69% of all driving-under-the-influenceof-drugs (DUID) cases studied. Fatally injured drivers under the influence of cannabis were most prevalent in those under 25 years of age. These are the people driving

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Special Feature: Worker Wellness

to, from and on forestry worksites. It’s well documented that cannabis impairs performance and judgement, making people less able to handle unexpected events. No matter what their age, you certainly don’t want someone smoking cannabis driving a logging truck. Studies show that the risk of impairment after smoking cannabis can last well in excess of 24 hours and that risk can, in fact, last for many days, even weeks, depending on the strength of THC in the cannabis. And today’s cannabis is magnitudes stronger than it was 20 years ago. Small-scale logging companies often employ contractors to work on their properties. Whether planting or harvesting, it is essential that workers are not at risk of being impaired by drugs or alcohol. But how can a small-scale owner know what to do about this when they are employing contractors? Follow these guidelines: • Have a policy, make it known and enforce it fairly across the operation. This is the best starting point. • Start employment with preemployment drug testing. This sets the

tone from day zero that drugs at work won’t be tolerated. It keeps risks from entering your workforce. • Include an emphasis on rehabilitation as opposed to dismissal. It’s better (and more cost-effective) for a business to rehabilitate a good employee than train a new one. • Include drug education and training for managers, and policy reminders for workers. Before testing can start, a good policy is needed. A great example of why it’s important to have a good drug policy and enforce it fairly is the case of Elon Musk, who failed to adhere to his own company’s (Tesla) drug policy when he decided to smoke marijuana on the podcast The Joe Rogan Experience. As a result, a former employee went to the media complaining that Musk had violated his own company’s policy. At the heart of the case against Musk was his show of disregard for his own policies, and that the rules didn’t apply to him. This ended up costing Tesla US$20 million, and cost Musk his seat on the board.

Lastly, make your drug policy easily accessible for employees by either publishing the policy on your website or company intranet. Include a copy of the drug and alcohol policy in employment contracts along with other regulations such as dress code and PPE policies. Additionally, make sure you enforce your policies fairly, as inconsistent enforcement leads to financial and reputational damage. And remember, while the company’s bottom line and reputation are critical, what matters most is that all your employees and people go home safely at the end of the day. And that’s what drug testing is all about. TDDA helps businesses design and implement robust drug and alcohol policies, and conduct the necessary testing after. TDDA also offers drug education sessions that train managers and supervisors to understand their policy and identify people that are impaired by drugs, and helps businesses stay out of bad situations like Musk found himself in. NZL

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Tall Timber

Design innovation at its best Story: Debbie Harrison

Photos: Treescape

Brandon Whiddett in Treescape’s Otahuhu workshop.

HEN BRANDON WHIDDETT started Treescape with Ed Chignall in 1981, he came to the conclusion pretty quickly that they needed to do things differently to become a long-term sustainable business. “We were young, about 24, and every day was such hard work, manually stacking logs

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onto a trailer, dragging logs… I immediately knew we needed to switch it up because I didn’t want to break my back forever. Initially, I guess I was driven to innovate simply by wanting to find ways to do things that required less labour,” he says. Not technically trained in engineering, Brandon could always draw, but it was his

on-the-ground experience that made him finetune his product design skills. “When we first started Treescape I wanted to learn about the machinery but of course at that stage we couldn’t afford to own any of our own. Tom Shepherd owned the Riverhead Sawmill – for fun I’d go and work with him after hours, driving loaders, his log skidder and logging

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Tall Timber

trucks in the yard. It was a heap of fun and I learnt so much,” he says. In the early days, Brandon and Ed would use sub-contractors with the right gear, before they owned any of it themselves. Being around these subbies taught Brandon a lot. “If you don’t know how to build and use it, you don’t know how to design it. Our first sub-contractor had a Palfinger crane and I’d be watching, thinking, talking – putting all the bits together in my head, figuring out how it worked and how we could improve it. I was passionate about what we were doing but I was also impatient… I wanted to get the job done in 10 minutes and make the money, so I needed an easier way and that was machinery.”

Members of the Treescape team (prior to implementing COVID-19 restrictions).

New developments A six-week trip to America saw Brandon buy three LR45 towers and two brush bandit model 90 chippers – he worked with fabricators over there, pulling apart the towers, rebuilding them with cranes and throwing them all in an opentop container to bring home to reassemble and build them to NZ design. That was the beginning of a career of modifying gear to suit Treescape’s operations. “I can copy really well – copy and improve is how I work. I guess that’s innovation. I just focus on improving every time, making things faster, safer and more efficient,” he says. Brandon says his inspiration comes from people sharing problems they have – that’s the drive he gets to then design bespoke gear to solve it. Like the Morooka tower...

“Our Aussie teams were having an issue because a lot of roads over there have these really big swell drains that you can’t drive trucks over – even just to park on the roadside. So, we developed this Morooka tower, basically a six-tonne tracked carrier with very low ground pressure – half that of a human foot. It can also traverse steep slopes. It can

now go into paddocks where no vehicles could previously go. In the past, because of the lack of access, our guys had to trek in and either climb the trees or use long pole saws, usually around powerlines – it was dangerous and slow. Now they can hoon there at great speed, up and down hills, using the Morooka.” Today, Treescape has four in its fleet.

Hard at work on a residential project.

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Tall Timber

Hino truck with a Versalift. Another design innovation Brandon is proud of is the accessories the company developed for a PC200 excavator to use when site clearing: stump grinders, mulchers, tree shears and a unique bucket winch. “I wanted a winch but I didn’t want a full skidder so I built a winch and put it into a bucket – it worked well and we still use it today,” he says. Often, the best innovations are the simple ones. Like the standard urban EPV (elevated work platform) on the back of a ute – Brandon and his team used the same concept but turned the crane around to make it more functional and added a chip bin below it, to catch the chip to make the Urban Terroriser. Having the EPV mounted on a small truck rather than a 10-foot truck makes it easier to navigate tight inner-city streets, plus it can be operated by one person, which is more efficient. This design has now been appropriated by Onehunga Transport Engineering.

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A team approach Today, in his position as Chief Engineering Officer, Brandon has 14 employees working with him in the company’s workshops on its extensive fleet, including trucks, utes, cranes, grapples, transporters and chippers. And the team extends to long-time outsiders too, who Brandon counts as an integral part of the team. “People like Brent Hepple from Komatsu, Lyndon and Aaron from Hino Trucks, Steve from Ace Tyres, and John Ryan from Total Hydraulics who have been a part of so many of our developments. I’ve been working with these people for over 30 years – they’re trusted partners. I’m big on being brand loyal – working long-term with like-minded people on a common goal. For me, the journey of life is business and pleasure and people like this make it a pleasure.” He’s also not afraid of redoing work and admitting there’s a better way: “Ego doesn’t make money. When we’re changing gear

we’ll get people from the field in, senior managers, my team and we’ll brain storm – ‘What are we going to change? How could this work better?’” In 2018, Brandon was awarded the new NZ Arb Association Innovator for the Industry, which recognised his leadership around new technology in the fleet and arboricultural industry. Brandon says it’s the combined input from others that gives true innovation, but that’s not to say his colleagues are always immediately convinced by his designs. “They often say no the first six months, until I wear them down!” Next, he has his eye on developing his designs of an electric truck and chipper, building them to be eco-friendly, quiet and small and nimble to navigate residential streets – a true innovation for the industry. “That’s the plan, anyway. We can always find better ways to do things.”. NZL

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www.ﬁca.org.nz

Prue Younger, CEO Message Prue Younger, CEO Message Last month, a new entity for our industry arose from the efforts of a culmination of twelve months’ work by various parties in industry including FICA, NZFOA, Competenz, Wood Processing, University of Canterbury and Forestry Futures around workforce recruitment,retention and reward. Once it was completed, the entity to drive the implementation was established – the Forestry and Wood Processing Workforce Council. Unfortunately prior to the COVID-19 crisis, theAction Plan from this council was to have been launched officially in Rotorua late February. “This action plan was put up to address common forestry and wood processing workforce challenges by complementing and building on existing initiatives, as well as beginning new ones”, quoted Minister Shane Jones. The document was made public last month through a soft launch instead. Overarching centres of influence include Knowledge, Attraction, Education and Training and Employment and the Plan extends from 2020-2024. In conjunction this supports the work that has been initiated by the ROVE (Review of Vocational Education) and our chance as an industry to change up the delivery of education and training, to impart onto our ever-changing workforce and ensure that we end up with a well-skilled workforce that is appropriate for current and future needs of the forestry and wood processing sector. The new Council has met a couple of times and they have now confirmed the purpose of the Forestry and Wood Processing Workforce Council exists to improve the recruitment and retention of a skilled and highly engaged workforce across the sector. Along with that come some operating principles:

Outcomes Focus: The group is committed to promoting the

development of a workforce that can meet the current and future needs of the forestry and wood processing sector. Open and Inclusive: The group is committed to building support for an inclusive sector-wide approach to workforce development through an open engagement process with all forestry and wood processing stakeholders. Impartial: Members will promote the interests of the sector as a whole, while acknowledging that they represent a particular industry group. Transparent and Evidence Based: The group will adopt a transparent and evidence-based approach to its work. There are some signiﬁcant projects being undertaken in the training and recruitment areas around the industry but it will be important to know that the Council will get themselves up to speed with what is out there and be able to articulate the alignment of these along with stakeholders involved and funding strands. Hopefully, this will avoid duplication, stop reinventing the wheel and be a vehicle to cut and paste great models. Managing the areas of conﬂict that exist within the sector groups is going to be a good challenge for the Council to manage. Managing everyone’s needs and setting some good guiding agreed behaviours of the group will be managed by the Chair. The new Chair, Fraser Field Rayonier Matariki and one of the original working group members from 2019 says, “We have a 42 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

range of skills and experience on the new Council, but also, already, cohesion. A varied set of roles and parent bodies, but also commitment to opportunities for the industry. An understanding of the processes that will allow the Council to work, but also enthusiasm for the mahi. If we maintain a focus on the tasks we have set out to achieve, we will meet the outcome: a skilled workforce that meets the current and future needs of the forest and wood processing sector.” The Council has an agenda to meet monthly, initially remotely as we have all become accustomed to and the odd face-toface once the travel restrictions seem more back to a normal pace. It would be expected that the industry will receive regular updates from the Council to keep us all abreast of the initiatives, the progress and the outcomes that will roll out to influence the guiding purpose. One of the hopes that FICA wants out of the work of the Council, will be to get the industry and the workforce voice heard at the table and this will come through our appointed three representatives, Nick Tombleson (Tombleson Logging), Nathan Fogden (Inta-wood Forestry) and Wini Geddes (Tane Mahuta). We look forward to the outcomes and we would suggest these people are always available to discuss around your own ideas and thoughts. The Members of the Workforce include: Adrian Loo, ETS/Project Manager, Forest Management Limited, Barbara Cameron, Senior Advisor, Client Service Delivery, Ministry of Social Development, Dr David Evison, Associate Professor, University of Canterbury’s School of Forestry | Kura Ngahere and President, New Zealand Institute of Forestry , Eric Cairns, Secretary for three NZ Farm Forestry branches, the Oak Action Group and Farm Forestry Timbers Society, Fiona Ewing, National Safety Director, Forest Industry Safety Council, Fraser Field, Quality Manager, Rayonier Matariki Forests, Glen Mackie, Technical Manager, New Zealand Forest Owners Association, Jeff Ilott, Executive Officer, New Zealand Timber Industry Federation, Louisa Jones, Assistant General Secretary, FIRST Union, Marion Schrama, Manager, Skills, Training and Workplace Safety, Te Uru Rākau, Mark Preece, Sector Manager, Competenz, Nathan Fogden, Managing Director, Inta-Wood Forestry Limited, Nick Tombleson, Director, Tombleson Logging Ltd and current Industry Assessor, Competenz, Richard Stringfellow, Toroawhi, Forest Industry Safety Council, Rob Tiopira, National Manager Iwi/Govt relationships and Plantation Establishment, Manuka Farming NZ, Vern Harris, Executive Officer, Marlborough Forestry Industry Association and Registered Forestry Consultant, Forest and Environmental Management Limited, Wini Geddes, Director, Tāne Mahuta NZ Limited For review of that Workforce Action Plan check it out on our website in its full and detailed publication. https://www.fica.org.nz/

Six Good Reasons To Join FICA FICA represents and supports all contractors to ensure we are an integral, influential and highly respected organisation. We have shared values and principles that support Strategic Pillars of Influence. We hold others accountable to these same principles and values working together and demonstrating leadership in our industry by setting examples to others. We stand strong by our core role, objectives, vision and values.

• Leadership

• Collaboration

• People First

• Fairness

• Professionalism

• Honesty & Integrity

Check out our website to know more about FICA, sign up online and stay informed on industry matters and events. Step up with us and be leaders in the forest industry. www.fica.org.nz

Sponsor Profile Thank you to all of the organisations who support FICA, which in turn works to promote business growth and improved safety and eﬃciency amongst forestry contractors for the beneﬁt of New Zealand’s Forestry Industry. SUMITOMO

Strategic Partners

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To join, call: 0800 342 269

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top spot

Safety/performance/quality

It’s good to be back! THAT’S THE GENERAL RESPONSE WE GET from folk in our industry now that COVID Level 2 has allowed the recommencement of operations. Yes, we have to acknowledge the lockdown has impacted some in our industry more than others, however we get a real sense of the positive with people happy to be back in the forest doing what they do best. By the time you read this, our Top Spot assessors will have also been out catching up with crews and reinforcing the positive behaviours that make people in our industry stand out from others. What is also really pleasing is the positive response we have received about returning to sites. Makes our folk realise the value that comes from contact, positive reinforcement and good old friendly competition! To the folk down the hill planting, pruning, waste thinning, breaking out and/or tree felling – remember the time off in lockdown will have had a potentially significant impact on your fitness, both physically and mentally and your body clock. Your professionalism will need to kick in to ensure you plan and manage your way back into work. On top of this, we have the move from warm, dry weather to the inevitable wet, cold weather of winter. So, we all need to be on top of our game! In the meantime, enjoy being back in one of the industries that has and will continue to contribute significantly to the economy and well-being of New Zealand. We look forward to catching up with you and contributing to recognising people working at their best. Sponsors – they don’t have to do this but they choose to! Awesome companies, awesome people and awesome support! They back you and your workmates to succeed as professionals, so why wouldn’t you support them? They believe in what we do and what you do. So, a big ongoing thank you to our Strategic

44 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

Partners – STIHL and NZ Logger and sponsor SWAZI. The best way to keep our industry working is to get out and support those businesses that support New Zealand. Participating Companies This competition wouldn’t be what it is without our participating companies. We understand the commitment it takes from them to be part of Top Spot and value their ongoing support and feedback. Our ongoing thanks to Rayonier/Matariki Forests, Wenita Forest Products, Port Blakely, Crown Forestry, Brand Logging, CMH Logging, Hauraki and Moehau Logging, Thomassen Logging, Te Waa Logging, Lakeland Cable Logging, Logged on Logging, Pakiri Logging, Inta-Wood Forestry, Otautau Contractors, Heslip Forest Contracting, Waikato Forestry

Services, Hodgson Silviculture, Makerikeri Silviculture, NJ Simns Forestry Services, SAS Forestry, XMen Forestry, Central Forestry Services, Mangoihe Logging, Kohurau Contracting, Tohaia Forestry Harvesting, Kuru Contracting, Dennis E Hayes Logging, Swain Logging, Lumberjack Logging, Ernslaw One, Blue Wood Logging, Mike Hurring Logging, McCallum Logging, Whisker Logging, Kaha Logging, Lahar Logging, Dempsey Logging, Moutere Logging, JBD Harvesting, McDougall Logging, Forest View Logging, Kimberley Logging, Dewes Logging, X Men Harvesting, Pakiri Logging, Storm Logging, Lumberjack Logging, Eastside Logging, Veal Forestry, McHoull Forestry, Pride Forestry, Halley Forestry, Penetito Forestry, FM Silviculture, Forest View Forestry, Wayne Cummings, Rodco Forestry, Johnson Forestry, Pro Forest Services, Eastside Logging and Norwest Logging. Into safety? Into performance? Into quality? Contact Shane Perrett on 0274 781 908, 07 3483037 or at primefm@xtra.co.nz. NZL

top spot

Safety/performance/quality

Above: Thin to waste operators going about their work. Left and below: These two photos serve as a reminder that not only have we had a long lockdown period, but we are heading into the time of year when weather can go from warm sunshine to cold and misty within a matter of hours.

June 2020 | NZ LOGGER 45

In Remembrance

Jack Kuru: A legend passes Story: Dan Fraser, on behalf of the Eastland Wood Council JACK KURU – THE LEGEND ROAD BUILDER. These words are scribed on the wall of the Wairangi Whare as a reminder of Jack’s time in Wairangi Forest road building in the early 2000’s. I remember vividly the day Jack’s D8 bulldozer was on the transporter heading to Wairangi Forest to embark on a new road line harvesting and road construction contract. And when asked, ‘Jack what are your longerterm goals?’, he replied, ‘I would like two D8 bulldozers heading up to the forest’. Jack loved his bulldozers. Jack deemed travel a waste of time so they camped in shearers’ quarters during the week so they could step out of bed and straight into their machines and maximise hours pushing dirt or pulling wood, working tirelessly in challenging conditions to return home for the weekends. This incredible work ethos spanned over 50 years operating heavy machinery in Manawatu, Papua New Guinea, Palmerston North, Tauranga and all over the Gisborne East Coast region. Jack and son Ricky formed the successful Kuru Contracting company in 1997. In 2012 Ricky and Leanne took over directorship with the idea it would take pressure off Jack and allow him to slow down. However, of course nothing could slow Jack and he tirelessly continued to work every day and then of course for a period tirelessly worked with other son Arana to start his harvesting company. Jack’s experience and knowledge have been integral in the development of the unique roading construction techniques used on the East Coast. While Jack loved his bulldozers, when faced with a new challenge of building roads on the steep Papa rock terrain he was the first on the East Coast to implement a very large 70 tonne excavator. There was some criticism at the time but soon afterwards all other forest road builders who were faced with similar challenges followed suit and stepped up to using larger excavators as their frontline earthmoving machines. Jack has mentored, taught and educated hundreds of workers on the East Coast, some of whom have gone on to own and operate successful businesses of their own. Jack has been recognised in the East Coast forestry

46 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

community, winning numerous Eastland Wood Council Awards for his Excellence. Jack, in many respects, came from the school of hard knocks – work hard, play hard and big toys. I have had the pleasure of working with Jack and the Kuru family for many years since 1999 and laughed over many stories. I recall the story of Ricky as a very young boy. Jack had purchased Ricky a motorcross bike. Jack obviously would not muck around starting him on something small and instead purchased an adult-sized race bike. Jack welded an extension on the bike stand so Ricky could stay upright at the start line on race day. Ricky, unable to touch the ground, was told when the flag drops to open the throttle wide and ‘do not fall off’. Well, you could say that Jack’s mentoring, father figure pulled the throttle wide-open for the Kuru family and was the reason their subsequent businesses are so successful. But above all else, Jack The Legend Road Builder was a beautiful, lovely man and many of us in the forest industry loved him dearly. The wisdom Jack passed on is in my mind and his love is in my heart forever. Rest in peace Jack. NZL

Below: Jack Kuru (left) receives his Eastland Port Roading Excellence Award from Andrew Gaddum, General Manager Ports, Eastland Group.

new iron LLOYD LOGGING UNLEASHES THE BEAST Lloyd Logging's Isaac and Sheree have recently taken delivery of a new Sumitomo SH370-5TLFS for clearing the chute and cutting up the stockpiles in their hauler crew working out the back of Otangaroa in Northland. The big Sumi offers good reach for clearing the chute while remaining well-balanced, having an 8.4 tonne counterweight and running a massive 48 tonne undercarriage. Isaac spec’d the new addition with a PFS Engineering rear entry purpose-built cab and hydraulic bonnet topped off with a new Satco 3L2T processing head at the business end of the package. The operator, Cam, is stoked to be behind the controls of this beast and is loving how easy it is to manhandle the big sticks coming up the hill. A big thanks to Warwick and Jimmy from Satco as well as the boys at Donaldson Mechanical for another quality hydraulic installation. Pictured (left) with The Beast from left are Zenan Proctor, Camron Cave (operator), Karl Te Whaiti, Channing Green, Blue Lloyd, Sheree Lloyd, Isaac Lloyd, Peter Lloyd and Rowena Lloyd. Artwork by Brad Walters of Brad’s Custom Paint Shop.

CAT 980M FOR PEDERSEN GROUP This Cat 980M wheel loader is a recent arrival for the Pedersen Group at its Kinleith operations in Tokoroa. The new Cat replaces a long-serving 966G and has been put to work as a frontline machine in the export yard unloading and loading trucks, stockpiling and loading log rail wagons. Among features to impress from the Cat M Series unit so far are the operator comfort and fuel efficiency. James West from Terra Cat sold the machine.

June 2020 | NZ LOGGER 47

new iron

STUBBS LOGGING GETS NEW 1750 FALCON CLAW Stubbs Logging recently took delivery of a brand new 1750 Falcon Claw. Located in Gisborne, they are running it on the BE70. Pictured from left are operator, Nick Morris, mechanic, Glen OConnell and Nat Seruwaqa.

ACME GS23 DUAL-PURPOSE CARRIAGE FOR JB LOGGING JB Logging has taken delivery of an ACME GS23 dual-purpose carriage for its Madill 046 Tower Crew by Carey Searle of Shaw's and the late Tim Van Damme of ACME. It was chosen for its ability to grapple logs safely using Talkie Tooter controls and a wireless camera system while having the ability to run strops using the slack puller when needed.

EF HANSEN TAKES DELIVERY OF NEW KOMATSU PC 220LC-8 Philip and Lynne Hansen of EF Hansen from Matakana, have recently taken delivery of a new Komatsu PC 220LC-8 for their har vesting operations working for Woodbank’s Darrin Collett. The Komatsu PC 220LC-8 has a full Ensign heavy-duty forestry guarding package and is f itted with an Ensign 1570 fixed grapple. Pictured from lef t: Shane Cobb (operator), Simon Fenwick (foreman), Chris Fletcher, Chris Rust, Ricky Britton, Antz Sowr y, Philip Hansen and John Kosar (Komatsu Forest NZ). Photographer – Herb Janssen.

48 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

new iron BOAPOD FOR WOODWORKS Woodworks owner, Dave Frogett and his two crews, have taken delivery of a brand new BOApod hydraulic hose repair and maintenance unit. Oliver Boakes (pictured) trained Dave and his team to cut and crimp their own hoses using the BOApod’s European precision cutoff saw and crimper. By repairing their hoses onsite, Woodworks are enjoying savings in reduced downtime due to not having to wait for a mobile hose repairer. BOA Regional Representative Oliver Boakes was proud to deliver another BOApod at a time when customers are looking for cost-saving ideas.

HYUNDAI NUMBER 25 FOR RAY FLAVELL LOGGING Ray Flavell has recently taken delivery of yet another new Hyundai (#25) into his busy East Coast logging operation working inland from Tolaga Bay. This new R480LC-9 has been guarded to Ray’s specifications with a rugged PFS APC (all purpose cabin), full cutover guarding and a hydraulic bonnet. Fitted with a new Woodsman Pro850 processing head, the base and processor are proving to be an ideal match. “I wanted something a bit different this time,“ says Ray, “and the machine and processor performance are proving to be exceptional.” Sold by Roger Pedersen, Territory Manager Hawkes Bay/Gisborne/Taupo.

CAT 568GF FOR KEENAN FORESTRY Keenan Forestry has taken delivery of this new Cat 568GF forest machine. The 568 is the largest purpose-built forest machine from Caterpillar and this unit is fitted with the 100th Woodsman 850 pro head, making for a powerful combo to get through the wood. The 568GF has been put to work in Keenan Forestry’s lower North Island operations and was sold by Ryan James from Terra Cat.

June 2020 | NZ LOGGER 49

new iron BOAPOD FOR TUMEKE LOGGING BOA Regional Sales Manager, Duncan Field, recently delivered a BOApod to Dan Solly at Tumeke Logging. Dan has already enjoyed significant cost savings through having BOA set up in a container onsite. Now that his two Nelson-based crews are working some distance apart, the turnkey mobile unit gives him the ability to replace all his hoses across both sites, thereby eliminating downtime and reducing his hose bills.

HYUNDAI FX3230LL FOR FAST HARVESTING A brand new Hyundai FX3230LL purpose-built forestry machine for the Fast Harvesting Group makes this its 22nd machine. The new arrival will take full advantage of the FX3230LL’s superior shovelling and loading – giving greater power and productivity with its straight boom and arm. Sold by Dave McSorley, Territory Manager Waikato/ King Country and Taranaki.

GILLION LOGGING TAKES FIRST NEW ZEALAND ACME GS23

HYUNDAI FX3230LL FOR KAITOA LOGGING

Matt Winmill of Gillion Logging has historically been a strong supporter of ACME Carriages, having bought one of the first S28's into the country in 2008, and has just taken delivery of the first ACME GS23 into New Zealand by Carey Searle of Shaw's and the late Tim Van Damme of ACME. This GS23 is working in Herbert Forest in Otago and was chosen for its reliability and durability, combined with the hydrostatic backline winch. The crew is happy with the performance.

Ben from Kaitoa Logging recently took ownership of the new Hyundai FX3230LL Series – a purpose-built factory forestry machine. Running the high-performing Cummins QSB 6.7 engine, matched with powerful Kawasaki pumps, the machine is strong, economical, and it ‘just gets the work done’. A competitively priced, purpose-built forestry machine matched with Porter Mechanical ‘fixed price servicing’ gives Ben a total understanding of running and ownership costs which he says is impressive. Sold by Steve Puddle, Territory Manager Bay of Plenty & Coromandel.

50 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

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NZ LOGGER classified

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52 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

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NZ LOGGER classified

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54 NZ LOGGER | June 2020

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