NZ Logger June 2021

June 2021

a trucking

good job

ISSN 2703-6251

2-stage wood recovery

Native beech on the rebound

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contents JUNE 2021

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FOREST TALK New name, new purpose; Farms or forests? The debate continues; Seedlings are soaring; Another mill in peril; Global sawlog prices up and rising; $100 million packaging facility on track; Russian ban confirmed; Saluting Sinton; KTM Supreme Winner at Forestry Awards; Forestry scholarships promote diversity; David Aitken steps down as CEO of NRC; New Director for New Forests; “The advent of the lady forester”; The real deal in hydraulic servicing; Keeping a clear vision; Fleet management front and centre.

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SHAW’S WIRE ROPES IRON TEST A company called Off Road Trucking Services has been set up to hire out all-wheel-drive log trucks specially suited to 2-stage wood recovery throughout New Zealand. We put one of its trucks, the 8-wheel-drive Astra HD9, to the test.

NZ TIMBER Seymour Forestry is currently milling beech logs extracted from private forests in the Buller at its Reefton mill. Now in a partnership with Health Based Building in Christchurch, the company supplies them with kiln-dried timber for processing and sales. The end result is impressive.

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WOMEN IN FORESTRY Fast Harvesting has a significant contingent of women in its crews.

Owners, Ange and Smiley Alexander wouldn’t change it for the world.

DEPARTMENTS 2 editorial 46 fica 48 top spot 51 new iron 54 classifieds

June 2021 | NZ LOGGER 1

from the editor

a trucking

good job

2-stage wood recovery

Native beech on the rebound

ISSN 1176-0397

PHOTO: JOHN ELLEGARD

June 2021

Milling around

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The Astra 8x8 purpose-built log shuttle truck, owned by Offroad Trucking Services, pulls its weight.

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2 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

THE FATE OF THE TASMAN MILL IN KAWERAU IS CURRENTLY “UNDER consultation” as Norway-based owner Norske Skog considers “all options”.

Though there is a glimmer of hope for the mill, as sources say a buyer may be in the wings, we all know what those words are code for. After the recent closure of the Whakatane Mill, and too many before that, unfortunately it’s time to revisit this issue far sooner than we might have hoped.

While it’s easy to paint COVID-19 as the villain, the reasons go deeper.

Value-add wood exports are overshadowed by our massive export of logs, primarily to China, for that country to create its own processing jobs. As the log export market thrives, it’s a difficult balance. But while mill closures may seem like regional issues, they have a knock-on effect. Should Government invest in manufacturing capacity and infrastructure to bring those jobs back home, or do we leave it to the free market? Are initiatives like Wood First the right path? Is repurposing the answer? Or are we simply too small to compete with global suppliers in the first place? In the case of the Tasman mill, is it just a case of declining demand for newsprint? Maybe it comes down to more practical reasons like high electricity prices which were cited as “a significant contributing factor” in the Whakatane closure? Perhaps then, the answer lies in biofuels and packaging alternatives to single-use plastics. But their consistent use could be a long time coming…

The answers to all those questions will certainly differ post-March 2020, when COVID lockdowns started in earnest and the world was turned on its head. But while COVID is undoubtedly the final nail in the coffin; with three mill closures in 2019 alone, this is not a new issue. Might not be a bad idea to find out where and how that coffin was constructed in the first place.

For a look at what can be achieved with local manufacturing, albeit with less commonly used beech, turn to our NZ Timber feature. A combination of select stem logging, heli-lifting and innovative construction results in a local product produced with pride.

Also making us proud are the women of Tokoroa-based Fast Harvesting.

They expertly balance family with work, combining years of experience with a team approach, making them an integral part of the company’s logging crews.

Turn to our Women in Forestry feature to see how they do it.

Let’s not lose sight of the fact that in the midst of all the politics, policies, the perils and the pandemic, it’s the people that matter.

Until next time, stay safe.

forest talk

New name, new purpose FORESTRY MINISTER, STUART NASH, HAS announced that Te Uru Rākau (Forestry New Zealand) will be renamed Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, and will shift its operational headquarters from Wellington to Rotorua.

“The name change is small but significant.

It signals a more hands-on role for a public forestry service, with specialists and advisors working alongside the sector,” says Mr Nash.

“We will lift planning and advisory capabilities within Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service so it can offer a professional advisory service and share its forestry management expertise.

“It will provide more on-the-ground support to iwi, private landowners, farm foresters, local councils, timber processors, training institutes, and other forestry organisations. The Forest Service will maximise opportunities for the forestry and wood processing sector.

“Forestry will be a key part of our climate change response. In areas like biofuels, forestry can support our move away from fossil fuels. Innovative building products made from local wood will replace products such as concrete and steel.

“For Māori, there is huge potential across the whole forestry system, as landowners, community leaders, investors and guardians of the environment. We will continue to support Māori aspirations for land management, economic development, and job creation.

“By retaining more wood processing onshore, we create local jobs and further support rural communities. Wood processing plants offer the opportunity to create high-tech, high-value products and by-products to diversify the income streams of foresters.

“Farmers, foresters, and conservationists share an objective to plant more trees in the right places, whether to diversify farm incomes, stabilise erosion-prone hills, increase wood supply for processing, or create more permanent indigenous forests for biodiversity or recreational use.

“In the past three years forestry policies prioritised regional economic development, by supporting extensive tree planting and job creation. We are now building on those achievements to transition to a professional advisory and management service.

4 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

Forestry Minister, Stuart Nash.

“Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service will continue to work alongside local communities on the remaining tree planting projects that endure from the One Billion Trees funding.

“More than 258 million trees have been planted towards the goal of one billion trees by 2028. The dedicated fund to kickstart the public-private sector programme was time-limited, and last year it stopped accepting new applications for funding.

“It has served its purpose as a cornerstone of the programme by building momentum for new planting. Approximately $23 million of the fund is unallocated and will be reprioritised towards the new work of Te Uru Rākau – the New Zealand Forest Service, making it cost-neutral.

The Forest Owners Association (FOA) says the announcement “addresses a lack of good advice and support for potential foresters” and that it heralds the potential to fix vital bottlenecks in the initial stages of the forest industry supply chain and drive further timber processing downstream as well.

FOA President, Phil Taylor, says an expanded Te Uru Rākau and a specific revival of the extension activities of the Forest Service, which had operated between 1949 and 1987, is a recognition of both the critical role forestry plays in the New Zealand economy and its leading role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“There is so much expected of the forestry industry by the government over the next ten to thirty years. Yet the expert advice and assistance, which can best come from government, has been seriously lacking,” says Mr Taylor.

“Especially for farm foresters, advice on

Forest Owners Association President, Phil Taylor. whether to plant, what to plant and how to manage, has been inadequate. For a farmer, planting out a part of their farm is the second most important commercial decision of their lives, after buying the farm itself. But so many of them appear to not have enough good information to go about it properly.

“While there are excellent forest advisory and management companies operating, and I would hate to think their commercial operations would ever be compromised, there still needs to be an overarching coordination from government.

“We have the Climate Change Commission wanting another 380,000 hectares planted in production forestry within the next 15 years, the government itself relying on us to earn an extra $2.6 billion in exports within 10 years, and an industry transformation which will be led by more processing in New Zealand.

“I’m pleased for instance, that Stuart Nash said New Zealand will be relying on innovative timber construction, explicitly to replace steel and concrete, so we can store carbon in buildings rather than emit it.

“All this is a huge challenge, and yet it requires good decisions now at planting time in the context of a wait for many years for a timber harvest.”

Mr Taylor also says he supports Stuart Nash’s colleague, Agriculture Minister, Damien O’Connor’s recently reported intention to examine what drives farmers to convert to forestry.

“It seems the government is having second thoughts about a knee-jerk restriction on the rate of conversion to forestry on better land and is more understanding of how vital it is to support farmers’ choices to enter this vital industry,” he adds. NZL

forest talk

Farms or forests? The debate continues THE FOREST OWNERS ASSOCIATION (FOA) SAYS THE FEDERATED Farmers’ call for the government to restrict forest planting ranks as an unnecessary intrusion on the right of farmers to plant trees on their land if they want to.

The FOA also says a restriction would make it more difficult for New Zealand to reach its vital climate change targets.

The government has failed to live up to its promise during the election campaign to make landowners apply for a resource consent if they intend to plant more than 50 hectares of trees on land capability classes 1 – 5, says the FOA. President, Phil Taylor, says last year’s PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Report, commissioned by MPI, found that, on average, the value-add for forestry, per hectare, was many times higher than it was from the average hill country property.

“Federated Farmers is telling its members that their national organisation is trying to stop them planting forests on whatever land they might want to,” he says.

“It’s a commercial decision for landowners to plant trees based on their assessment of the productivity of that land. They should be backed, not blocked if they want to improve farm profitability and sustainability by planting trees,” he adds.

“Forests are productive too. Yet Federated Farmers is demanding restrictions on all land classes.”

He says Federated Farmers seems to be “confused” about the rules and rate of overseas investment in forest planting.

“Firstly, they are complaining about carbon forestry. Then they say that the government needs to fix the special forestry test for direct overseas investment.

“If they checked with the Overseas Investment Office, they would find out that the OIO is not allowed to, and doesn’t, approve any carbon forest planting.

“Then if Federated Farmers checked on approvals for production forest planting, they would find that the rate for the 18 months to the end of last year was only 500 hectares a month. And since then, the approval rate has fallen.”

Mr Taylor adds that the Climate Change Commission calculates there

is a need for another 380,000 hectares of plantation forests within 15 years for New Zealand to reach its greenhouse gas reduction targets.

This represents about 4% of the existing sheep and beef estate.

Lobby group, 50 Shades of Green, disagrees, saying the prediction that regional New Zealand will be covered in exotic pine “is coming to fruition before our very eyes”. The wholesale removal of productive land for exotic forestry continues at pace as sales of farmland to forestry move into new parts of the country, says a spokesperson.

“Coming to a region near you is now a reality as both Wisp and Hazeldean stations in Otago add to recent hill country farms sold,” he adds. “The many thousands of tourists who visit the Caitlins do so to enjoy the diverse landscape, iconic tussock land and native bush reserves. They don’t visit it to drive through a sea of exotic pine.

“While it might be a short-term sugar hit for carbon, these policies bring more problems with them than what they solve. By focusing solely on carbon we are losing the bigger picture, the one that is destroying regional communities, economies and environments.

“Policy has not been changed and regional New Zealand pays the price for emitters’ behaviour. There is no mechanism to stop the sales, and the Government sits idly by. It certainly isn’t ‘right tree, right place’ and the ETS clearly isn’t fit for purpose.

“We remind the Government; New Zealand survives largely off its agricultural receipts. Taking land out of production now for trees means it earns nothing for at least 28 years and as the Parliamentary Commission has pointed out, planting pinus radiata will not help get our carbon footprint to zero by 2050.

“What we have now is the next carbon farm bought is the next farm up for sale. We urge the Government to hit the pause button and put a mechanism in place to stop the carnage increasingly happening across the country “The question the Government needs to ask is, is this policy driving the outcomes that are in New Zealand’s best interest? We say no, and it’s not just farmers, we are now joined by environmental groups, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, and the Climate Change Commission. It is of substantial concern to growing numbers of New Zealanders who see the snowball gathering speed.” NZL

Seedlings are soaring SEEDLING SALES HIT ALMOST 92 MILLION SEEDLINGS IN 2020, three million more than the year before, says Acting Deputy DirectorGeneral Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, Henry Weston.

The findings come from an annual survey of tree stock sales from commercial forestry nurseries – the Provisional Estimates of Tree Stock Sales and Forest Planting.

“The increase in seedling sales is positive, as it shows continued strong interest in tree planting,” says Mr Weston.

“Tree planting is a vital tool in efforts to boost environmental gains, and help New Zealand to reach its economic potential, particularly our recovery from COVID-19.”

Tree stock sales reported in 2020 totalled 91.9 million seedlings, compared to 88.8 million sold in 2019. The main increase was in radiata pine where sales rose by 4.4 million seedlings.

Estimates suggest the increase in 2020 could see seedling sales reach 100 million seedlings in 2021.

The research also shows the majority of planting in New Zealand was on class 6,7 and 8 land, which isn’t considered productive farmland.

“It’s important to consider planting the right tree in the right place, as they can be used to stabilise land, stop erosion and create additional income for farmers or foresters through things like the Emissions Trading Scheme,” says Mr Weston. NZL

June 2021 | NZ LOGGER 5

forest talk

Another mill in peril KAWERAU’S LOCAL PAPER MILL IS THE latest to face potential closure. Owner, Norske Skog began exploring “all options” for the future of its Tasman mill in Kawerau in October last year.

The company has now met with employees to begin consulting on the future of the operation. It says this is a result of the rapid, negative and likely irreversible impact COVID-19 has had on the industry in the region.

The mill employs 160 people and has been operating in the small Bay of Plenty town for 65 years.

Mayor, Malcolm Campbell, says it didn’t take too long for the news to spread, and there’s shock and bewilderment with people asking where to from here.

He says it’s “another kick in the guts” following COVID-19 and a potential blow for the wider area if it were to close, adding that it’s not good news for the housing market and employment overall. With a population of 7150 in Kawerau, he says the changes could have “a huge effect” on the eastern Bay of Plenty.

E tū organiser Raymond Wheeler says the union is supporting its members through the

consultation process.

In a statement issued by Norske’s head office in Oslo at the weekend, the company said it had announced to employees and stakeholders it was starting a process to identify alternative production options for its Tasman newsprint mill in Kawerau: “The company does not intend commenting further until the consultation process is complete and it has had the opportunity to consider feedback from employees. No decision has been made and consultations will take place over the next few weeks.” NZL

Global sawlog prices up and rising THE GLOBAL SAWLOG PRICE INDEX ROSE 8% IN THE 4Q/20 as demand for logs was up in North America and Europe.

Both of the WRI’s sawlog price indices (Global and European) jumped 8% q-o-q in the 4Q/20 as log prices increased worldwide.

Demand for logs improved when lumber consumption increased in the second half of 2020, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and the MENA region. In Europe, the lumber market was generally flat, with only minor changes in domestic demand. However, European countries with high levels of lumber exports to non-European countries were in luck. Record-setting lumber prices in the US helped drive increased shipments to higher levels y-o-y than in the 4Q/20. These increases were observed in Germany, Sweden, Romania, and Austria.

The Global Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) rose to a two-year high of US$74.66/m3 in the 4Q/20. This was more than two dollars above its 25-year average. Western US, Western Canada, Austria, Germany, and Estonia saw the most significant q-o-q price increases. Of the 21 regions included on the Index, only Northwest Russia and Poland saw falling sawlog prices from the 3Q/20 to the 4Q/20.

The European Sawlog Price Index (ESPI), denominated in Euros, rose to €76.13/m3 in the 4Q/20, up from an 11-year low in the 3Q/20. Sawlog prices in Austria, Germany, Norway, Estonia, and the Czech Republic increased the most during the fall of 2020.

Russia exported 15 million m3 of logs in 2020, which accounted

6 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

for almost 12% of globally traded roundwood. Much of this trade may come to a halt next year when a new law proposed by Russia’s president will ban the exportation of softwood logs and high-value hardwood logs starting January 1, 2022. According to a just-released study by WRI and O’Kelly Acumen, Russian Log Export Ban in 2022 – Implications for the Global Forest Industry, China will probably look to source more sawlogs from other regions of the world, such as Oceania, Europe, and the US. NZL

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forest talk

$100 million packaging Russian ban facility on track confirmed OJI FIBRE SOLUTIONS (OJIFS) SAYs its $100 million packaging facility is on-track for completion in October this year. This comes on the back of several large-scale investments by Oji Fibre Solutions in recent years, including a planned $200 million upgrade to the Kinleith Mill wastewater treatment systems, which received resource consents in early April.

The modern cardboard box plant development in Establishment Drive, Christchurch will replace the existing operations in Hornby, securing more than 75 long-term jobs in Christchurch.

“We are pleased the project is continuing as planned because there have been many challenges, not the least being disruptions caused by COVID-19,” says OjiFS Chief Operating Officer of Packaging, Grant Fitzgibbon.

The new facility, being built by local Christchurch company Calder Stewart, will feature a purpose-built factory, complete with all box-making and printing equipment. More automation will reduce manual handling and support a safer work site. With this automation the new site is more labour efficient, and Mr Fitzgibbon says the company is working with any affected employees on redeployment and voluntary redundancy options.

“The new facility will be more energy-efficient, a safer, nicer place to work, and will ensure we can meet our customers’ needs both now and into the future,” says Mr Fitzgibbon, adding that it will allow OjiFS to continue to operate in the South Island.

The current site will be decommissioned after the move. NZL

THE RUSSIAN BAN ON LOG EXPORTS will go ahead in 2022, says Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Trutnev.

“The government of the Russian Federation has made a decision to gradually increase export duties. This year, the duty is 80%. Next year, the ban on the export of logs comes into force. This is being done in order to create jobs in the forestry industry and build processing plants,” he explains.

The state-owned company for the export of logs is being considered as one of the measures for the transition period, he adds.

He noted that the Russian government is not considering any issues related to the abolition of protective duties: “We proceed from the assumption that the export of logs will be prohibited next year.”

Russia is one of the world’s largest wood exporters. In 2020, Russian exports of softwood logs fell by 18.8% y-o-y to 6,9 million m3, while the average price dropped 3.8% to $76.0 per m3. NZL

Saluting Sinton

Alan Sinton (left) being presented with a mere by Terra Cat’s Chris Heaton.

TERRA CAT RECENTLY HELD A SPECIAL dinner celebration event in Taupo for longtime Tokoroa logging contractor, Alan Sinton. This was in recognition of over 50 years in the forestry contracting business and a thank you from Terra Cat for the

8 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

From left: Alan Sinton, Chris Heaton and Terra Cat Forestry Industry Manager, Wayne Baker. long partnership with AG Sinton, with many long-term associates of Alan and Cat customers attending from within the region. Numerous entertaining stories were told from throughout Alan’s many years in forestry, and Terra Cat Chief Operating

Officer, Chris Heaton, presented Alan with a special mere (a traditional Māori symbol of chieftainship made from pounamu) to recognise the occasion. See the March 2020 edition of NZ Logger for a full feature on Alan Sinton’s colourful career in forestry. NZL

forest talk

KTM Supreme Winner at Forestry Awards THE BEST OF THE BEST IN THE REGION’S FORESTRY INDUSTRY were toasted last month at the Southern North Island Wood Council Training Awards dinner.

The Supreme Winner, chosen from the winners of the 12 award categories, was Troy Mason of KTM Silviculture, which earlier in the evening had been crowned as the training company of the year. This prestigious award recognises an individual or company who is a leader in their field, leads by example and demonstrates outstanding excellence in all facets of operation.

KTM is owned by Troy and Kelly Mason. The judges were impressed with the ethos behind this relatively young company which “has a strong ongoing commitment to continuing to upskill its workers and go beyond what is required to ensure the very best when it comes to health, safety and the environment”. Troy is known for his exemplary attitude towards training that ensures his crew not only does a good job but a good job safely done.

The company draws on its Māori roots and has a strong connection to the whenua, and especially local iwi and hapū. For them, this gives more meaning in their training programmes for rangatahi, and especially taking care of the whenua and environment as kaitiaki, making them go that little bit further every time.

Also honoured was Morris Fisher for his outstanding lifetime of commitment to the forestry industry. Judges considered the huge amount of support Morris has given to small scale forestry as well as the development of young people across a wide variety of areas.

In a career spanning more than five decades he has planted over 4000 hectares – or four million trees – then managed the silviculture tending through to maturity. He has been involved in setting up areas of native bush for the Queen Elizabeth Trust and planted native riparian and wetland areas, taking an interest in how they are protecting streams and rivers.

During a stellar career he worked as a log scaler, instructor and manager before establishing his own business, TAML Forestry, that specialises in silviculture, management and consultancy.

Morris has been a long-running supporter of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry and New Zealand Farm Forestry Association and in recent years has been quietly promoting forestry to local schools to encourage young people to consider a career in forestry.

A special award was also presented to Kylie Boyd from CentrePort for the work she has done in establishing a log rail collaboration project in Masterton.

Awards were presented across the industry – from apprentices to wood processing excellence, trainees to contractors and more.

“These are a chance for us to both recognise and celebrate excellence amongst the skilled forestry workforce in our region,” says SNI Wood Council Chief Executive, Erica Kinder.

It is the fourth year the awards have been held, with new categories introduced for emerging talent and wood processing.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s fiancé Clarke Gayford, who is also a television fishing show host, was the MC for the awards dinner, which was held at the Awapuni Function Centre in Palmerston North.

The awards cover the sector from Taranaki to Whanganui, Manawatu to Wairapapa, Tararua and Wellington.

Supreme Winner, KTM Silviculture’s Troy Mason (left) with crew members.

Forestry is a significant contributor to the region’s coffers, directly employing more than 1000 people across a wide range of jobs who generate around $187 million of log sales revenue, underpinning a further 2,200 jobs in wood processing.

The winners • Contribution to the Forestry Industry (sponsored by Kiwi Lumber): Morris Fisher (TAML Forestry).

• Special award for Exemplary Forestry Innovation (sponsored by John Turkington Forestry): Kylie Boyd (CentrePort).

• Harvesting Excellence (sponsored by Finance NZ): Samuel Keenan (Keenan Forestry). Runner-up: Hamish Thompson (Mangoihe Logging Company).

• Forestry Excellence (sponsored by Forest 360): Josiah Whenuaroa (Whenuaroa Forestry).

• Outstanding Health and Safety Management (sponsored by New Forests): Dale Ewers (Moutere Logging).

• Modern Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by McCarthy Transport): Glen Etherington (Gillard Logging). Runner-up: Sam McPeak (Keenan Forestry).

• Trainee of the Year (sponsored by Competenz): Charles Wipaki (Moutere Logging). Runner-up: Stevie Wilson (Foxpine).

• Emerging Talent of the Year (sponsored by Forest Enterprises): Taine Rona (R&S Dreaver Shelter Trimmers).

• Training Company/Contractor of the Year (sponsored by JNL): Troy Mason (KTM Silviculture).

• Contractor of the Year (sponsored by NZ Forestry): Bryan McCarthy (Mangoihe Logging Company).

• Outstanding Environmental Management (sponsored by FORME Consulting): Hannah Harvey (Forest Enterprises). Runner-up: Josh Blazek (Farman Turkington Forestry).

• Distribution Excellence (sponsored by Ernslaw One): Tony Groome (John Turkington).

• Wood Processing Excellence (sponsored by China Forest Group Corporation NZ): Shannon Gillam (Kiwi Lumber Masterton).

• Supreme Winner: Troy Mason (KTM Silviculture). NZL

June 2021 | NZ LOGGER 9

forest talk

Forestry scholarships promote diversity

TE URU RĀKAU – NEW ZEALAND FOREST SERVICE HAS announced three new Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarships being offered through Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in the Bay of Plenty starting 2022.

“We are proud to partner with Toi Ohomai to offer the new scholarships for those enrolling in a Diploma in Forest Management.

This is a way of opening the door to a career in forestry, and also creating more opportunities for women and Māori,” says Debbie Ward, Director, Business and Spatial Intelligence, Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service.

“By increasing diversity in higher-level study through the new Toi Ohomai scholarships, we help ensure the forestry and wood processing sector better reflects the diversity in our local communities.”

The diploma course covers a range of topics to prepare students for management roles, including business planning, forest health and management, supply chain and harvesting, and operations management.

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology Faculty Dean of Primary Industries, Trades and Infrastructure, Brian Dillon, says, “We know the forestry workforce is an ageing one and there is a focus to attract the next generation.

“We are seeing more interest from local Māori who, once qualified, can go on to manage their iwi land. This scholarship will benefit not only the recipients, but their iwi and wider communities.

“There are clear pathways from entry level forestry study through to New Zealand Certificates in Forest Harvesting operations. Several of these graduates continue on to study the Diploma.

“We are the only provider in New Zealand to offer the Diploma in Forest Management. We are excited to see the prospective scholarship students and look forward to their journey with us and Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service.”

10 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

The new Diploma scholarships complement the existing Bachelor of Forestry Science and Bachelor of Forest Engineering degrees offered through the University of Canterbury since the establishment of the scholarship programme in 2018.

To date, 22 recipients have been awarded scholarships, and the first students are expected to complete their qualifications at the end of 2022.

Applications for all scholarships are open 1 June to 15 August 2021. Those with a strong interest in forestry, strong community involvement, and who are committed to a career in the sector are invited to apply.

For more information visit www.mpi.govt.nz/ forestryscholarships NZL

Forestry Minister, Stuart Nash, recently visited the Toi Ohomai Mokoia Campus to talk about the forestry scholarships.

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forest talk

David Aitken steps down as CEO of NRC AFTER 13 YEARS IN THE ROLE, David Aitken is to step down as CEO of the National Road Carriers Association (NRC), the national organisation that provides advice and advocacy for 1,800 road transport companies.

NRC chairman, Don Wilson, says Mr Aitken demonstrated great leadership during his tenure and leaves the organisation in a strong position both financially and in terms of membership numbers and perceptions.

“When David was appointed in 2008 the organisation was in a shaky financial position and he worked with the Chairman at the time, Paul Chappel, to stabilise the situation and put it onto a firm footing.

“The NRC has grown substantially over the years with large groups of members from around the country joining us because they recognise the value of the assistance and representation David and his team provide.”

Mr Aitken says when he was appointed he was almost immediately embroiled in

a protest action with about 2,000 trucks driving into Auckland city centre and more into other city centres around the country to protest then Transport Minister, Annette King’s proposed road user charge increases.

Other challenges and highlights of his time at the NRC have included dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown last year, that required almost round the clock communications with authorities and trucking companies, and meeting and working with people from the road freight industry.

“It’s an excellent industry – hard working people providing an essential service. I am proud of the professionalism the NRC team has shown over the years, especially during the COVID lockdown, and I have an extremely good board who have been very supportive.

We are also very lucky to have partnerships with goods and professional service providers which enable us to do our work.”

Mr Aitken says he decided it was time to move on to new challenges: “It’s time for

David Aitken.

someone fresh to keep the NRC moving forward.”

He will remain in the role until the end of July. NZL

New Director for New Forests INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INVESTMENT manager, New Forests has announced the appointment of Christine Loh as an Independent Director to its board. Her appointment supports New Forests’ global growth aspirations and desire to scale environmental and social impact in the forestry sector, says the company.

Ms Loh brings to New Forests a wealth of international experience across government and public policy, finance, and academia with a focus on energy, climate change, and environmental issues. She previously served as Under-Secretary for the Environment for the Hong Kong Government (2012-2017) and is currently Chief Development Strategist at the Institute for the Environment, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She holds a number of Board and advisory positions, including Director and Trustee of CDP Worldwide, a London-based organisation that runs a global disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions to manage environmental impacts.

“I am excited to be joining the board of New Forests at a time of expansion for the business in Asia, the US and other markets. I have been impressed by New Forests’ track record and feel strongly aligned with its vision of seeing forestry as a key sector in the

12 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

transition to a sustainable future. Joining the Board of New Forests gives me an opportunity to bring together my experience in public policy, environmental issues, and the finance and corporate sectors in supporting the company’s growth strategy over the coming decade,” says Ms Loh. David Brand, CEO and Chairman of New Forests adds, “Ms Loh’s appointment will bolster the depth of experience, global perspective, and talent that we have on our board. She is also aligned with our vision to see institutional forestry investment play a significant role in the transition to a net zero emission future, enhance biodiversity and conservation, and create economic opportunities for rural communities.”

Ms Loh has had a distinguished career in both the public and private sector. She was the co-founder of Civic Exchange, an independent non-profit think tank. While holding public office, she championed many reforms including land inheritance rights for the indigenous women of the New Territories and introduced and passed the historic Protection of the Harbour Ordinance. Prior to her career in politics, she had a 14-year career in the private commercial sector in physical commodities trading. She is a published author on public policy, US-China relations, climate change and the environment. NZL

forest talk

“The advent of the lady forester” PROFESSIONAL FORESTER, BOTANIST AND ADVOCATE FOR women’s access to higher education – Mary Sutherland is something of a legend in NZ forestry circles. A new book by Vivien Edwards, A Path Through The Trees, was launched at Scion this month, celebrating Mary’s achievements and legacy as the first female forestry graduate in the world.

This review by Jessie Neilson offers a taste of the book and Mary’s life: In A Path through the Trees, researcher Vivien Edwards pays tribute to English-born Mary Sutherland (1893-1955), the first female forestry graduate in the world. She frames the personal story in the context of the forestry situation in both New Zealand and Britain at the time. A plaque dedicated to Sutherland’s work, in Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua, piqued Edwards’ interest, and from here she delved into archives and conversations, to collate a biography of this woman’s life and her achievements.

Edwards is a long-time contributor to the New Zealand Forest Industries magazine, and so already had background knowledge.

With these leads, she has collected written and visual evidence of an outstanding career which paved the way for other women to follow.

Sutherland graduated from Bangor University in Wales during WWI, in an industry entirely male-dominated. She soon gained respect through her hard work, sheer curiosity and commitment to the advancement of forestry practice. Also with a civic conscience, she became an inaugural and lifelong member of the New Zealand Institute of Foresters (NZIF) as well as serving on various boards.

When Sutherland journeyed to New Zealand in 1923, our forestry industry was still in its infancy. From the beginning, she concentrated on – among other areas - nursery plantations, forest health and protection. Frequent photographs from personal and historical collections give examples of the terrains in which people were experimenting as well as of Sutherland herself.

As one male associate remarked: “The advent of the lady forester caused no little stir in the camps”.

Edwards looks at the ways in which a female would have tried to thrive in this kind of environment. She also links it to trends of women taking over men’s jobs in the war years.

A Path through the Trees is notable in its attention to an individual and their challenges and in this way, it avoids being a dry, reference book and instead is an empathetic and relatable story.

There is also much to be gained from discussions of the movement away from indigenous forest usage towards the replenishable in our country. Edwards writes of the crisis in forestry, profound in Britain, during these war years. In New Zealand too, there was an almost thoughtless use of native timber, especially the exploitation of rapidly diminishing kauri forests. Sutherland was instrumental in looking towards solutions, sustainability and a gathering “forest consciousness”. She promoted forestry education in schools and encouraged young people’s inquiry into and guardianship of their natural environment, with camp holidays and

school nurseries. These are all forward-thinking initiatives where issues around sustainability for the next generations are ever more relevant and where Enviroschools are increasing in number.

Sutherland’s later focuses included botany, community work and advocacy for women in tertiary education. With a wealth of experiences and through pure grit, Sutherland remains a role model for women to broach a male-dominated industry, to learn alongside, gain respect and to lead. Edwards has drawn on reports, photographs and journals, as well as through interviews, to document this determined woman in an early era of forestry. The current Chair of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry Foundation provides the foreword.

Sutherland’s legacy continues in her bequests and scholarships, left to strengthen our connection to the land. So too does her contribution live on in her 1930-designed rimu sprig seal, still the basis of the NZIF emblem today. NZL

June 2021 | NZ LOGGER 13

forest talk

The real deal in hydraulic servicing

WITH HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED FORESTRY MACHINERY COSTING typically from hundreds of thousands to more than two million dollars each, anyone who knows machinery understands the value of proper hydraulic servicing.

This fast-moving and demanding field of expertise, evolving ever faster in terms of machinery sophistication started with the child prodigy, mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal.

Pascal (for whom kPA is named) gave us in his short life (1623–62) the law that states that a change of pressure in an incompressible fluid is transmitted equally throughout the fluid. He used it to invent the syringe and a handful of early predecessors of hydraulic presses.

He was joined down through the centuries by Yorkshire inventor and locksmith Joseph Bramah (1748-1814) whose lock-manufacturing shop was a cradle of the British machine-tool industry fervour and focus for hydraulic press production during the early years of the industrial revolution.

Fast forward to the future and in recent times the performance, sophistication and operating pressures of hydraulic equipment have increased significantly, as have their service needs to maintain precision, safety, efficiency and time on the job.

This is particularly true in the case of mobile hydraulic equipment, which can range from the most basic forklift to the most sophisticated dragline, with every truck, earthmover, harvester, bulldozer, log loader, mulcher, forwarder, skidder, and on or off-road working vehicle critically dependent on hydraulics. As a result, modern hydraulic equipment is not only more expensive to fix when it breaks down unexpectedly, but proactive maintenance is imperative to maximise service life and minimise operating costs.

“For safety, efficiency, uptime and maximum machinery life, it has never been more important than now to have experienced people working on your valuable equipment, says Robin Simpson, Chief Executive Officer at Hydraulink Fluid Connectors.

“You have to have deep knowledge and great experience in this

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area to be able to identify issues early. There are huge issues of safety, compliance, machinery knowledge, site knowledge, traceability and accountability involved in big machines. Why would you risk first-rate equipment with second-rate servicing?

“In the worst instances, it is like asking a backyard mechanic to tune a million-dollar machine. Because, at the end of the day, the quality of the job depends on the quality of the person and backing of the organisation you get to do it.

“We asked our people out in the field to honestly tell us what’s in it for them and their customers.” The typical priorities that emerged from a spectrum of industries, included: 1. Proven top standards of safety, OH&S, ISO 9001 accreditation and ability to confidently handle compliance and traceability of input requirements.

2. Familiarity with customer sites and diverse machinery being worked upon, so service technicians do not cost time, money and downtime learning the job at the customer’s expense.

3. Cost-efficient prices are always a top priority in a competitive business. They need to be backed by proven integrity of practice.

4. Top standards of predictive maintenance, to help obviate unexpected downtime on sites often remote from skilled assistance.

5. A strong and growing mobile fleet complementing consistently high workshop standards, to give customers the option of on-site service.

6. Resources of a successful national network with a depth of expertise and training.

7. A positive can-do attitude that provides the best solution and the deepest long-term value, rather than quick fixes.

8. A robust and reliable supply chain (especially one proven during the recent COVID disruptions) backed by industry-best stocking and despatch performance.

9. Proven locally focussed and owner-operator business models

forest talk

Keeping a clear vision A NEW HIGH-DEFINITION CAMERA CREATED FOR USE ON yarder/hauler grapples not only makes it easier to spot trees on the ground, it also promises to significantly cut downtime caused by faults or damage and improve productivity.

That’s because the new Falcon camera comes with a spare module that can be called on if the original one stops working. It also comes with a courier pack so that the faulty/damaged module can be immediately sent back to the manufacturer, Nelson-based DC Equipment, to test and fix before being returned to be used as the new spare.

Not that the team at DC Equipment is expecting a deluge of faulty HD camera modules to come its way.

More than two years of research and development has resulted in an HD Grapple Camera System that is even more robust and reliable than the original version introduced in 2013.

“We’re not only providing a much-improved camera system, we’ve also addressed the practicalities of working in a harsh environment and providing crews with an essential back-up to keep them working,” says Nick Andrews, NZ Customer Support with DC Equipment.

“Let’s face it, in forestry no machine is fool-proof because of the nature of what you are doing and the environment you are working in, and the grapple camera system probably undergoes some of the most punishing forces of any piece of equipment that you can think of. It’s now a crucial item – you can’t operate your swing yarder to pull 400 or 500 tonnes without that camera.

“This new system enables users to swap it out and carry on. The fault may just be a loose connection but it’s still a hassle if it won’t work and you don’t have the time or the wherewithal to fix it. We can do that while your crew continues to work. No downtime.”

In addition, the improved clarity of the new system allows the operator to see trees on the ground far easier, especially in low light conditions and across one field view of 100-degrees, leading to faster wood recovery and increased productivity.

Each unit comes with two batteries that provide up to 20 hours of continuous power and the signal has a long transmitting range,

with zero latency.

Prior to releasing the new camera system to the market, the DC Equipment technical team trialled it with an independent harvesting crew near Nelson and the operator enthusiastically told them the picture was so good he could even see individual pine needles before dropping the grapple down to grab the stem.

Barry McIntosh, Product Manager with DC Equipment, explains that the new camera is a low latency, ultra high definition type that is used by broadcasting professionals.

“It provides a much clearer image in a wide range of light conditions, with much better colour definition. It’s surprising the effect it has – operators aren’t having to squint or strain to see the trees and, as a consequence, they suffer less fatigue because it’s a lot easier to pick out the trees when you are a lot further out.”

Barry says the transmission system has also been upgraded and there is much less likelihood of the signal dropping out in poor operating conditions. NZL

which deliver the best results where specialised skills are required.

10. Overall, cost-efficiently ensuring the best lifespan and minimised downtime for expensive machinery.

“We at Hydraulink invest a lot in developing attitude, skills and training, because these are the drivers of deep value. They are critical, whether you are a supplier to hire and customer fleets extending across key industries or an official supplier to the America’s Cup as we were – where a depth of hydraulic expertise was vital to the foil cant system involved in the Emirates Team New Zealand win, and enabling all yachts involved to touch speeds up to 50 knots,” Robin adds.

Hydraulink has a network of more than 400 service points throughout New Zealand, Australia, South Asia and Eastern USA. NZL

June 2021 | NZ LOGGER 15

forest talk

Fleet management front and centre

The Electronic Distance Recorder also showing RUC licence.

WORKING IN THE FORESTRY SECTOR, QUALITY, EFFICIENCY, and health and safety are top priorities for Rosewarne Cable Loggers.

Based in Whangarei, Rosewarne Cable Loggers supports the logging and roading firm, Rosewarne Contractors with administration, health and safety, accounts, operations and training services.

To improve its day-to-day operations and communication, Rosewarne Cable Loggers & Rosewarne Contractors adopted Teletrac Navman’s fleet management system in 2018 into the combined fleet of around 39 vehicles – including Utes and vans – that travel over the vast area of North Auckland to Greater Northland. Being able to see exactly where the vehicles are, even when they’re out of phone reception, has saved hours of work each week for the back office.

With an estimated 5% of the population unable to get cell phone coverage at home or work, Rosewarne Cable Loggers is among many rural businesses having to operate without reliable access to cell phone coverage. Working in mountainous, remote areas means that this will likely be an ongoing issue. Prior to adopting the GPSbased system, management often had to physically go to the site to check on the safety of staff. Before installing the system, with no real-time updates of vehicle locations, the company was reliant on staff to get in touch when they had phone coverage. “I would get text messages in the evening when the team members drove home and had reception again,” says Maree Mitchell, administration assistant at Rosewarne Cable Loggers.

Maree and others in the office can now look up the locations of all vehicles and organise pick-ups and delivery of equipment when needed. “This visibility is incredibly valuable if there’s an incident when mobile staff are without phone reception, as you can see

16 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

where the vehicle is at all times,” Maree adds. “It’s made my life a lot easier as everything I need is right there in front of me. My day is much more productive as I no longer have to chase things all the time.”

Streamlining Road User Charges Forestry companies drive a significant distance offroad on forestry sites, so the ability to correctly claim all off-road RUC rebates can make a real financial impact.

Rosewarne Cable Loggers can now automate the RUC licence purchases and claims for rebates, which are completed entirely online and distributed to vehicles instantly via in-vehicle Electronic Distance Recorders.

“It’s great not having to go all the way into town to purchase RUC and spend the time to manually get RUC rebates, allowing for the team to concentrate on more important aspects of their daily duties,” says Maree. Getting the RUC rebates automatically is a great bonus as many fleet vehicles spend the majority of time on private logging roads.

Lastly, the fleet management solution makes it easy to plan maintenance for the vehicle fleet. Rosewarne Cable Loggers now gets automatic activity and status reports, saving hours previously spent chasing vehicle status updates from drivers. The reports are helpful in planning schedules, as they can organise for drivers to have another vehicle while their Ute is getting work done, resulting in minimal downtime.

Find Teletrac Navman at Fieldays Mystery Creek 2021 at stand PA4/PA5. NZL

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Southstar Equipment New Zealand, 03 View Rd. Rotorua

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The Astra 8x8 purpose-built log shuttle truck, owned by Offroad Trucking Services, climbs a steep track from a landing overlooking the water.

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NZ Logger’s Iron Tester, Stan Barlow, negotiates a tight bend with a load of eight-metre logs on the back of the Astra 8x8.

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EXT TO GETTING TREES ON THE GROUND, THE BIGGEST challenge facing a crew is shifting the wood out of the forest in a timely manner.

In large, properly laid-out corporate forests it’s not such a critical issue because permanent, well-formed roads allow conventional log trucks to get right into a skid site, load up and drive out quickly.

Not so in many smaller and intermediate forests, where skids/ landings are located far away from the highway and tracks can be difficult and expensive to build, especially on steeper terrain.

Which is why there’s been a recent shift in focus to using heavyduty, off-road trucks in a two-staging operation.

Trouble is, no two forests are alike, and a big, purpose-built log transporter might only be required for some jobs and not others so it could be parked up for long stretches, or not used to its full potential. That would make it uneconomic for a lot of contractors.

Step up Gareth White Tokoroa-based logging contractor, Gareth White, has established a unique service that hires out specialised all-wheel-drive log transporters to crews that need them, whether it’s for a day or six months or even longer (see story on page 27).

“Two staging has been around for a long time, but I thought that we needed a new approach,” says Gareth.

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“There’s a real need to shuttle wood out of these tight pads where the roads are marginal, so I looked around at what was available.

Initially, I set up a truck for my own operations, but then I kind of realised that we don’t have a full-time need for one ourselves.

“And that is the same for most contractors. You have these pieces that you need the shuttle truck for, and you might only need it for say a month or even just a few days. So I decided to set up a company which is basically specialising in these 8x8 trucks for shuttling wood out of these challenging pieces.”

Gareth imported a second-hand, Czech-built, 8x8, ex-mining Tatra dump truck out of Western Australia and had the bin replaced with a log bunk by Rotorua trailer specialists, Patchell Industries. It worked well and the idea for the hire service grew from those experiences, but he soon realised the business would need to be based around new trucks, where reliability and service/back-up is crucial.

“When I set the Tatra up it was a little bit of an unknown,” says Gareth. “I wasn’t sure how well it was all going to work, although it became apparent pretty quickly how many benefits there were.

We hadn’t run it very long and I opted to put a brand new truck on.”

Takes a big payload

FORwhich BIG TIME LOGGERS Gareth SERIOUS researchedPOWER the options, led him to an Astra 8x8 from the Italian Iveco truck group. Astra specialises in heavy-duty,

ALWAYS SWING A BIG STICK

EST EST 1909 1909 | TOCALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944 894 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 20 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

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off-highway vehicles and can build to order. The company goes back to 1946, when it was established in northern Italy to convert war surplus equipment and vehicles to civilian use. Since 1986 it has been part of Iveco, which is itself part of the CNH Industrial conglomerate.

Purchased through local distributor, AdvanceQuip, his truck is the second Astra to go into forestry in New Zealand – the first is working in Gisborne.

Gareth explains: “With the Astra, there are a number of benefits, like common parts – being part of Iveco there’s good availability. But being able to source a truck was probably the biggest part of the decision. The wait time for trucks can be a hard thing but these guys (AdvanceQuip) were very responsive and made it easy.”

Easy to the point of locating a suitable new Astra truck in Australia, which saved shipping from Italy. It just happened to be the right spec for Gareth, too.

“I was looking for a truck that could take a big payload, take the lengths without going any more than we needed to on dimensions,” explains Gareth.

“As you can see from this site, there’s a lot of switchbacks on the tracks and very tight areas and being that little bit shorter makes it easier to get around those turns. They do a 60-tonne GVM truck and I didn’t want that, I only wanted the 48-tonne GVM.” With a tare weight of 13 tonnes, including the log bunk, Gareth’s Astra can still easily cart 30-tonne payloads without breaking into a sweat and it’s actually rated to a maximum of 33 tonnes.

Importantly, it can climb and manoeuvre like a mountain goat.

“With shorter wheelbases we can go a lot of places while still

being able to take 8-metre long logs or two packets of 4 metres,” says Gareth, adding that the truck is very easy to drive.

“This one came with the Tiptronic-style transmission, which means that it is still just a two-pedal drive and you can control the gears to help with the steeper sections. I didn’t want the Allison (full automatic) – I prefer the variety of gears you can select manually, which means you have control over the terrain.”

This truck was also spec’d with the larger of the two engine options, providing 382kW (520hp) of peak power and a whopping 2,400Nm of torque that spreads its peak from as low as 1,000rpm up to 1,440rpm. That’s a serious amount of grunt, probably twice what you’d find in a forwarder – not that Gareth ever considered a forwarder, or even a converted ADT (Articulated Dump Truck).

“Nah, a forwarder is not going to do it for you, they’re too slow and don’t take a high enough payload (with the exception of a TimberPro 840) and they’re hard on the road – a forwarder would really struggle to get the volume up out of here. In the truck, you can cover the ground at a similar speed that you’d cover in a ute.

And this truck is cheaper than a forwarder... and an ADT.” Gareth also likes the fact that the Astra is purpose-built as a heavy-duty, off-highway truck that can also be used on-highway, which means that it can be driven to jobs, rather than transported.

“The other options are pretty much on-highway trucks converted to off-highway use, but with this one I was more confident that it could stand up to the tough work it’ll get in the forests,” he adds.

And being an off-the-shelf truck, another appealing aspect is that contractors don’t have to adapt or upgrade it on arrival, just install a bunk on the chassis. So it can go to work much sooner. It also comes with a manufacturer’s warranty.

The Astra log shuttle truck is loaded on the Bruiser Contractor crew’s landing.

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SERIOUS POWER BIG TIME LOGGERS

EST EST 1909 1909 |TOCALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944 894 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 22 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

Tiny landing Gareth’s Astra went to work just a few weeks after arriving in the country at the end of 2020 and was trialled with one of his four crews first, working in Kaingaroa Forest, before being hired out, in the case of this job, to Wood Marketing.

NZ Logger waited until the Astra was being used in a really challenging environment for our Iron Test and this job, at a clifftop woodlot overlooking the sea just north of Waihi, on the southern end of the Coromandel Peninsula, was ideal.

The Bruiser Contracting crew has positioned a tower on a tiny landing carved into a promontory right on the coast to pull wood across a deep valley from the opposite hill.

There’s just enough room for a processor and a loader to join the hauler on this pad, plus a small space to store maybe one truck-load of logs. Certainly not enough room to fit a standard log truck and trailer. And getting a truck and trailer to the site and then back up the tortuous track would be a mission.

That’s why Wood Marketing brought in the Astra. It can cart almost as much as a truck and trailer in its single bunk, and has no trouble climbing steep, tight tracks with a full load – except when it’s really wet. Health and safety and common sense take over in those conditions.

The Astra shuttles wood up to a skid site that is easier to access with a log truck and trailer, almost one kilometre from the hauler landing. And that’s where we get our first close-up encounter with the Astra.

It’s a serious piece of off-road kit and towers over Iron Tester, Stan Barlow and myself – probably half a metre taller than a normal log truck.

On its way back to the landing, the Astra 8x8 shuttle truck shows off the empty extra-wide bunk.

Having disgorged another load of logs, we’re able to see the skeleton frame under the bunk and can confirm that it is built like the proverbial brick sh*t house, with the high tensile steel C-section chassis reinforced with strong cross members. The flat chassis rails meant that Patchell had a relatively easy job installing the bunk.

The bolsters are fixed and don’t fold because the truck won’t be carrying a trailer. Gareth says it has been deliberately designed to be very simple and light... and voluminous.

“We’ve gone for the 3.1 metre width between the bolsters,” he adds. “That means we are as wide as we can be without needing to be piloted. With that wide bunk we can get an extra payload with an extra log, say if it is an S-grade, we get six logs along the bottom whereas we might only have got five. Going wide means you get your payload without going too high.”

There is a big, strong headboard to protect the cab, but no headboard at the rear.

Grooved Drums and Sleeves

DIAGNOSE • DESIGN • DELIVER

Above clockwise: The Astra log shuttle truck is ready to make the steep climb up to the skid site at the top of the hill; The Astra 8x8’s ZF 16-speed Eurotronic II automated manual transmission selects 4th gear in low range to start the hill climb without any input from the driver; At the top skid, a Kobelco SK300 excavator unloads the logs from the Astra and stacks them in readiness for a road-going log truck to collect; With close to 30 tonnes in the bunk, the Astra has no trouble negotiating the steep climb.

Chain the load Gareth says: “I learned a lot from the Tatra that we first set up.

We put a headboard at the back of that one – it wasn’t a slider but it was a pain in the arse, because it really served no purpose.

“When loading, especially in these circumstances, they want to put their loads on reasonably quick and when you’ve got a big grab of logs it forces them up and over, which means there is something else that can get banged into. And if the truck is going up a steep grade the load is still sliding around and can bang into either headboard if it isn’t secure.

“We chain up the load instead and we haven’t had any dramas with the logs moving at all.”

Unlike many modern log trucks that have air suspension, the Astra uses parabolic leaf front suspension and cantilever leaves at the rear, which can make for a harsh ride but at least it’s designed for tough conditions. To compensate, the cab suspension of four vertical coil-over-shock units with anti-sway bar helps to soften the ride for the driver, along with the airsprung driver’s seat.

The drivetrain is just as tough, starting with the Cursor 13 engine that has proven itself in other Iveco trucks. It’s built to the Euro 5 emission standard, which means that it requires regular topping up with AdBlue. On the plus-side, having the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to reduce toxic gas emissions actually helps lower fuel consumption. Gareth says the Astra is much

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cheaper to run than a forwarder.

Power from the 12.9-litre engine goes through the intuitive ZF Eurotronic II, 16-speed automated transmission, which acts like a Tiptronic found on many modern cars and utes. The unit features an electronically controlled clutch that can either automatically select the best gear according to load, road speed, road incline, etc or the operator can manually select and hold gears if necessary.

The transfer case, also made by ZF, provides a high and low ratio choice, depending on the terrain, sending drive to all eight wheels. All four axles are equipped with diff locks to help with traction in really sticky stuff, and the driver can also lock up the centre diff in extreme conditions.

We’ve just tipped the Astra’s cab forward to get a look at the engine, as well as lift the panel at the front to see how easy it is to do daily checks. Greasing is still done manually but Gareth is considering an auto greaser for the next Astra to join his fleet.

With the cab back in place, it’s a steep climb to check the interior – standing on the ground, the floor level is higher than my head. The cab is sourced from Iveco’s Trakker model and boasts many of the comfort and ergonomic features you’d expect in a modern truck. I’ll leave it to Stan to describe the controls and other features in his Iron Test column.

Stan is a former log truck driver and can’t wait to get behind the wheel, so he takes over, while regular pilot, Garry ‘Hook’

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1. Easy access to many of the daily checks behind the front bonnet.

2. The optional rear-view camera fitted to the underside of the end cross-member is essential because there’s no window in the back of the cab.

3.Tipping the cab forward to gain access to the engine and transmission requires manual jacking with a lever.

4. All controls are handily placed for the driver.

Below: There’s limited room on the Bruiser Contracting landing, which makes 2-staging a necessity.

Willis, accompanies him in the passenger seat and they set off for the landing while we follow in Gareth’s big Ram ute.

On the pad, there’s just enough space for Stan to turn and back the truck, but even with tandem steering and a relatively good turning circle, it still takes a while to manoeuvre into position before the loader starts piling on logs.

As the load builds up it’s clear to see why the Astra is equipped with its utilitarian suspension system.

“The Tatra has independent suspension so when it’s loaded the diff is pretty low and we didn’t really want to go with another independent truck – this one just doesn’t budge,” says Gareth.

Just as well. As Stan launches the now fully-laden Astra up the slope, we note the deep wheel ruts on the track that have created a high pile of dirt under the diffs. No problem for the Astra’s 403mm ground clearance.

Very capable Before anyone entertains ideas of seeing this truck driving into a cut-over, Gareth says: “This is designed for driving tracks, you don’t want to go off into the cut-over or anything like that because, even though it would do it, you’d be too hard on the truck. Get yourself a forwarder for that sort of work.”

With logs stacked up to the top of the bolsters, the Astra looks a tad top-heavy, especially where the track slopes into the corners and it leans into the hill. But it remains stable and

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moves on.

In between trips, regular driver ‘Hook’ joins us while the logs are unloaded and he tells us that he was specially recruited by Gareth to drive this truck, after spending 19 years operating stackers at the port. Before that he drove off-highway trucks at Kinleith and started off driving for his father-in-law’s business in Tokoroa.

He says: “I’d had enough of driving stackers and it was my wife who saw this job advertised. She applied for it on my behalf and I didn’t know.

“Going from what I was doing and even 18-speed Roadrangers, this is like Christmas. It’s super comfortable with the latest air conditioning, air seating and everything.”

While the Astra is very capable ‘Hook’ doesn’t take it too lightly driving steep hills with a full load.

He says: “With my health and safety background they trust me to make the right decisions, like last week, when we had all that rain – I got stuck on the hill and this crew has got good health and safety systems and they pulled the pin two seconds before I was about to radio them myself to call it a day.

“Got back in the cab two days later and had made up the lost time and had all the wood trucked out and on the ground by lunchtime.

SERIOUS TIMEtake LOGGERS “If you take twoPOWER packets ofFOR 3.9s BIG it doesn’t long to get the stocks down. Anything longer than a 3.9 I’ll just do one packet

ALWAYS SWING A BIG STICK

EST EST 1909 1909 | TOCALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944 894 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY June 2021 | NZ LOGGER 25

and fill it right up. With those wide bolsters you soon knock the log stacks back. We don’t have scales on there, just fill up to the top of the bolsters. With two packets of 3.9 green wood we’ll be running at about 30-tonne payloads. The truck will pull that, and probably more, but you don’t notice it, only when you go into a corner. Rocks a little bit but not much.

“I’m really, really impressed with it. It’s comfortable, quiet. We had a job at Kawerau and it was an old skidder track and Simon (AdvanceQuip Product Manager) was with me and I said to him this will be a good test for your truck and even he was a bit worried it wasn’t going to make it but the truck cleared it no sweat.

“I did 11 loads on Friday and that included a couple of single packets of 5.9s – so around 350 tonnes before I knocked off, that’s not bad for a day’s work. The good thing is we can achieve that

without having to push ourselves and take risks and we take care of the machine at the same time.

“This isn’t a new idea, it’s been done before, like 20 years ago we were two-staging with stems using trucks off the super skid in the Mamaku’s. Now we’re bringing it back.”

And bringing a whole new dimension to getting logs out of the forest.

With this two-staging method taken into account right at the start of harvest planning, the forest engineer can design smaller and less costly landings for the hauler, as well as building lighter roads that don’t have to cater for a truck and trailer, further reducing expenditure for the forest manager and forest owner.

Then, with Gareth White’s idea of hiring out trucks like the Astra for specific jobs, it’s a win for the contractor too. NZL

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IVECO ASTRA HD9 8X8 LOG TRANSPORTER - SPECIFICATIONS ENGINE

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6-cylinder, Cursor 12.9-litre, Euro 5 common rail diesel Bore & Stroke 135 x 150mm 382kW (520hp) @ 1,900rpm Max Power 2,400Nm @1,000-1,440rpm Max Torque

Service Retarder Parking

TRANSMISSION Type ZF 16-speed Eurotronic II AMT, 8-wheel drive. Differential locks on both rear axles, plus centre differential lock 0-50km/h (in sixth gear) Max speed

Air brakes on all wheels, plus ABS Iveco Brake Turbo with 255kW of braking power Spring applied, air released driveline-mounted disc

TYRES Front Rear

385 / 65 R22.5 315 / 80 R22.5

BUNK

Mechanical ZF Steyr 2700 dual-range.

Payload 33 tonnes Bunk area 7,050mm long from headboard to chassis end x 2,700mm wide to inside of bolsters x 2,300mm high to top of bolsters

AXLES

REFILL CAPACITIES (LITRES)

Front: Kessler hub reduction/Kessler steering, combined rating of 21,000kg Kessler hub reduction, combined rating of 42,000kg Rear All diffs can be locked pneumatically

Fuel tank 300 AdBlue 45

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STEERING Type

ZF 8099 quadrilateral power steering with variable ratio

SUSPENSION Front: Rear:

Parabolic leaf springs, stabiliser bar Parabolic leaf springs, stabiliser bar

DIMENSIONS (MM) Length Width Height (top of cab) Ground clearance Turning circle Gross vehicle weight

10,275 2,021 3,234 403 23,800 48,000kg

Hiring a 2-stage truck

A

COMPANY CALLED OFF ROAD TRUCKING Services has been set up to hire out all-wheel-drive log trucks especially suited to 2-stage wood recovery throughout New Zealand.

Currently running two purpose-built trucks – an 8-wheel-drive Tatra 815 and 8-wheel-drive Astra HD9 – the fleet will grow to three when another Astra arrives shortly. More trucks could be put on if the demand is there.

Available for hire from one day to more than 100 days (the Tatra

W

8x8 is currently doing a six-month job in Gisborne) the service is designed to be flexible to suit the needs of the contractor. Each truck comes with its own driver, who is qualified to operate the truck on- and off-road.

“Because we don’t have to transport and wait for that to arrive, we can get to places pretty quickly,” says Off Road Trucking owner, Gareth White, who deals directly with customers on his mobile phone (0274 500 041). NZL

iron test: Stan Barlow

Bring it on LET’S CUT TO THE CHASE, THIS HAS TO be one of the best off-road trucks I’ve ever driven.

Sure, you could count the number of off-road trucks in the market on one hand, but that doesn’t lower my admiration for the Astra HD9.

The mark of a good truck is how effortlessly it goes about its job and even with 30 tonnes of green logs stowed in the bunk I only needed to dab the accelerator to drive up a fairly steep track – such is the power and torque. Nothing else to do. The gear changing can be done automatically.

The steering is light, but still very positive for a truck approaching 50 tonnes all up. And the ride is not too bad for a heavily sprung suspension system.

Perhaps the only criticism I could find is that the cab is so high off the ground I needed to stretch to reach the grab handles to haul myself up onto the first step.

The cab is plain, but it has all the creature comforts and everything you need to do the job.

A big tray between the seats for doing paperwork but there is actually a clipboard sitting on the back wall that’s designed to go on the steering wheel so you can do your logbook without tooting the horn. We tried and it tooted the horn. Just as well everything else on the truck works the way it should.

Being so high, the vision is really good – although there’s no back window but an aftermarket camera is fitted on the rear chassis, which shows on the screen when in reverse. There is a

switch that allows you to leave it on all the time.

It would be handy to have another camera on the back of the cab to show the logs being loaded.

The driving position is good, with the transmission lever on the dash panel to the left of the wheel, with a Drive, Neutral and Reverse button – in drive you hit once and it goes straight to auto, you hit it again and it will give you manual. A lever to the right works the manual gear changes and also the retarder, which you push forward to decrease the amount of braking and pull back to increase – it’s a six-stage retarder system and works bloody well, hardly have to touch the brakes. For road use there’s even cruise control.

On the flat in auto, it pre-selects 4th but on the hill it pre-selected 2nd. It was ideal, no hint of stalling and it changed up when it needed to, perfect. I did try it in manual and going up the hill with the heavier load I held it in second when starting off on the slope. In those situations you don’t really want to change if you don’t have to, so holding it in second gets out of that steep climb until it levels out a bit and you can change up. If you hold the stick up you skip a gear, so it goes from 2nd to 4th. Makes a difference not having those short shifts.

The diff lock buttons are also on the left, with three different dials to transfer the power more to the rear.

There is a button for what they call ‘off-road’ and it works like riding a clutch on a foot pedal

Iron Tester, Stan Barlow. until you get the momentum going, preventing it from stalling. Very handy for slippery surfaces.

No need to use it today because it was so dry, but Hook used it to help him get out of a sticky situation last week.

Pulling heavy loads up the hill, Hook mentioned that on one of the tougher corners it might feel a bit light in the steering but to me it still felt engaged with the surface. The lock is pretty good, even though I buggered it up on one of the corners – just went a little bit too wide. And then you can get yourself into trouble by going in too close and there’s a danger it might clip the bank because the truck sits so high. After a few trips once you know how high it is and how far you can go to the edge of the road, you get a good feel for it.

The load does sit very high, but the Astra feels stable. A little bit of rocking at times, but not much.

And in next to no time, you’re up at the top skid.

Man, this thing can shift wood.

If this is the future of 2-staging, bring it on. NZL

Below left: In a previous life, NZ Logger’s regular Iron Tester, Stan Barlow, was a log truck driver so he enjoyed getting behind the wheel of the Astra.

Below centre: Regular Astra driver, Garry ‘Hook’ Willis, tidies the chains prior to the logs being off-loaded.

Below right: Logging contractor, Gareth White (left) who has set up Offroad Trucking Services, with driver, Garry ‘Hook’ Willis, and the first 8x8 Astra to go onto the fleet.

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NZ Timber

Native beech manufacturing on the rebound Story: Jim Childerstone

32 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

H

EALTH BASED BUILDING’S NEW Foreverbeech demonstration home, featuring a variety of red and silver beech products, has become a popular attraction according to on-site Managing Director, Casey Thomson.

The three-bedroom residence at the Christchurch company’s Colombo Street site features both exterior and interior Foreverbeech, cut from West Coast hardwood beech as well as flooring and decking manufactured at the firm’s Wigram timber processing facility.

Casey explains that the Colombo Street retail premises is stacked with the various timber products. The product is then picked and packed for collection or despatch countrywide via the company’s online marketplace. Clients include DIY, builders, joiners and furniture makers.

The beech is sourced under a partnership deal with Reefton-based Seymour Forestry which practices select stem removal under the Forestry Act, including sustainable logging of native timber. Casey says the way things are going the company is going to have to double the volume of beech to keep up with demand.

Through direct sales from milling to processing, Foreverbeech is proving to be cheaper than exported hardwoods which mostly come from unsustainable clear felling forests in Asia and South America.

Among Foreverbeech products in the

Health Based Building’s new Foreverbeech demonstration home at its Colombo Street premises in Christchurch.

June 2021 | NZ LOGGER 33

NZ Timber

show home are laminated beams and veneers which are outsourced from other manufacturers. Other products include a range of window and door frames, and panelling to provide an attractive backdrop to many parts of a residence.

A range of colours can be achieved through the various cuts of the logs, from heartwood to sapwood. Extra colours can also be added as part of a plant-based oil coating process, Casey points out.

The firm also includes other timbers such as radiata pine which is treated with eco-friendly solutions other than toxic arsenic and chromium. The firm now stocks Magnum Board for both internal and external cladding, which Casey says is carbon negative. NZL

Above: Health Based Building's timber processing plant in Christchurch.

West Coast native beech timber in demand

W

HILE STRICTLY STICKING TO research on the benefits of select stem logging, Seymour Forestry continues to carefully recover red and silver beech logs under recommended sustainable management systems as part of the Forestry Act. Owner, Jon Dronfield, says the company is currently milling beech logs extracted from private forests in the Buller at its Reefton mill. Now in a partnership with Health Based Building in Christchurch, he supplies kiln-dried timber for processing and sales to the company.

Jon says the company now employs four full-time staff to cut red and silver beech which is legally sourced from sustainably regulated forests.

“I do all the felling and logging and my three staff mill and dry the timber,” he explains. And he is extremely fussy as to how this is achieved – heli-lifting out between 3-4 tonnes per hectare on a rotational basis.

The Dronfield family bought the Reefton-based mill from previous owners, Sustainable Forest Products, in August 2018, decommissioned the main sawmill and installed a new electric powered Mahoe 12x8 electric sawmill. “This enables us to produce lower volumes of timber but with much reduced operating, labour and maintenance costs,” he says.

34 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

The company now processes kiln dried timber, fillet and dry product which is trucked to Health Based Buildings in Christchurch.

“We sell everything we cut exclusively to Health Based Building who purchase it in green sawn state,” Jon explains. “It is then air-dried before we finish it in the Fogarty chip-fed kilns. We are installing a second bandsaw to split 58mm boards

Heli-logging sustainably sourced beech.

and therefore effectively double our sawn throughput.”

The company sources its wood from about 6000 hectares of mostly privately-owned forests in the Buller region – selectively felled and each site recorded for regenerating growth levels. The heli-lifting leaves no tracking or damage affecting biodiversity. A percentage of royalties are earmarked for pest control and forestry management. NZL

Select-logging beech not new

H

EALTH BASED BUILDING’S NEW FOREVERBEECH DEMONSTRATION home, featuring a variety of red and silver beech products, has become a popular attraction according to on-site Managing Director, Casey Thomson.

Native beech was select-logged as far back as the 1920s near the confluence of the Dart and Routeburn rivers east of Lake Sylvan, now part of Mount Aspiring National Park.

The Cook brothers managed to cart their mill across the turbulent Dart River and set it up on site handy to the Sylvan flats back in 1927, where they operated for nearly 10 years. The evidence is still there today on the popular Routeburn/Sylvan Lake walkway.

Back in 1990 I measured stump remnants which were roughly one meter in diameter, estimated at 20-30 stems per hectare. A later interview with one surviving Cook brother, retired in Mosgiel, confirmed that trees were selected on specific form to cut 22-foot bridge beams for creek and river crossings needed for parts of the Western Southland/Te Anau area at the time.

Trees were felled and carted on wooden rails by bullock teams to the mill. The cut board was then bound and floated down-river to Kinloch wharf where it was picked up by the steamships Earnslaw, Ben Lomond and Antrim.

Many of these hardwood beams still prop up bridges to this day.

The area where timber was extracted is a scenic parkland with easy access and regenerated beech. Many aged canopy trees still

remain, matching some of the 500-year-old beech on the Routeburn track.

A walk through the park still features remnants of wooden rails and bogies which carted the logs. The site is a great example of the regenerating capability of our red beech hardwood species – something foresters on the West Coast continue to research. NZL

Research into beech regeneration continues.

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Comment: Coast logging – an ongoing scenario I S SELECT STEM LOGGING OF permanent forests a potential answer for continued local hardwood products?

Particularly in these times of climate crisis and Global Warming, many countries in Europe have adapted this system for parkland forests.

On the plus side it creates jobs, cuts down on the $1b plus imports of mostly unsustainable logged hardwoods from sources such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Brazil and mitigates carbon transport emissions. Also, it is competitive across a wide range of products and provides extra funding for pest control and biodiversity.

Back in 1991 I interviewed Kit Richards, forestry scientist with Timberlands West Coast, who was researching natural regenerative capabilities of native podocarp and beech forests after logging

operations. This was about the time native logging had been canned on the Coast.

Since then I have reported on and written numerous articles on progress for forestry journals and general media.

Richard’s findings, accepted by the industry and stakeholders in general, were that select stem extraction could benefit forests by encouraging new growth due to a canopy break plus increased CO2 uptake. Red beech, which can live for hundreds of years, will sit for decades as seedlings under full canopy – a break in the canopy and the seedlings shoot upwards, in some cases beating P. radiata growth rates.

Under the then Forestry Act, limited removal of native wood was acceptable.

With that in mind a plant was set up at Blue Spur in Hokitika to mill and process

timber into products. Then in 2015, the Government, under pressure from Coast loggers, passed the Coast Blown Timber (Conservation Land) Act that allowed selected harvesting of trees blown down

by Cyclone Ida in 2014 on DoC lands.

This was carefully monitored by the DoC’s Tim Smith and Forestry Ministry researchers where only the base of the stem was removed with all residue to lie in situ on selected sites. However it was to be a brief respite for the Coastal forestry industry with up to eight independent crews salvaging podocarp and beech logs employing over 50 people. The Act concluded in 2019.

Select stem logging continues mainly in the Buller area and in part of western Southland, although the demand for beech products is reported to be escalating.

Extreme wind damage between Harihari and Whataroa in 2014. Some logs were salavaged to make up a nearly one million dollar royalty for the DoC West Coast.

36 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

3qtr_bc_

MPI has given token approval under the tenets of the Forestry Act to continue this system but avoids making too much of a song and dance about it. Particularly with the new significant natural area (SNA) rules currently under scrutiny.

Kit suggested that under select stem removal only the butt of the tree was taken out. The rest including branches, tops, offcuts and residue remained in situ providing the humus for regrowth. Stumps were marked and dated with average age, recorded usually between 80 to 100 years old.

What the general public, political leaders and lobbyists need to know is that, in my opinion, this would be the most practical and common-sense way to not only preserve our native forests but also to earn an income to keep up our management systems including biodiversity enhancement and pest control. In a small way it would also help many coasters into an alternative industry rather than relying solely on tourism.

However the industry has suffered a setback in that a select committee Bill before Parliament by MP Maureen Pugh which proposed a move titled Adverse

Rimu board from McGrath's Kumara yard destined for a North Island buyer at the conclusion of the Salvaging Act 2018.

Weather Affected Timber Recovery on Selected Department of Conservation Lands was turned down flat by the Government on March 25. This was introduced July 30 last year but was held up due to the elections.

It seems obvious parliamentarians have little knowledge of research into management systems of native forests.

Or are just sticking to government policy.

The bet is on that importers of hardwood timber will be popping champagne corks. NZL

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Women in Forestry

Story: Hayley Leibowitz

38 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

Above: Fast Harvesting's Ange Alexander, Laura Solomon-Ahipu, Chrissy Marsden, Lorraine Uatuku, Maureen Johnstone (recently retired), Mereana Tobenhouse (Min) and Hilary Dahm.

June 2021 | NZ LOGGER 39

Women in Forestry

Y

OU’LL PROBABLY NEVER MEET someone as calm as Ange Alexander.

Her peaceful demeanour naturally rubs off on you when you're in the same room.

Married to husband Mike (better known as Smiley) for the past 25 years, the couple run Fast Harvesting based out of Tokoroa.

“Smiley and I are very appreciative and super proud of our whole team,” says Ange.

“We have several women within our team.

Some have been in the bush for many years and have left, tried different things and then come back to us. Others have come with little or no experience and have worked hard to learn from the ground up, to operating some pretty technical and expensive machinery.

“I think having a balance of men and women in the crews certainly helps, as some of the new initiatives from the women are quite different from the men, which is understandable, as we all think and see things very differently.”

Mereana Tobenhouse, aka Min, has been with the company on and off for many years, says Ange, and has been back full-time for the last six years following having her family.

“Min is a great example of how women can do anything. She started on the ground with her chainsaw as a log maker and quality controller. Over the years she has learned how to drive several machines including the loader and processor. About three years

ago Smiley and I asked Min if she would be interested in becoming the Fast Group Health and Safety Coordinator. She jumped at the chance and has done an amazing job.

“With such a great knowledge of the job she has the respect of the guys and knows the importance of getting everything right.

She often finds herself filling in on a machine if someone is away, so her role still has a lot of variety.”

Min isn’t the only woman at the company making her mark in the bush. Laura SolomonAhipu started in the bush when she was just 19 and remembers that there were only about three women out there at the time.

Born and bred in Tokoroa she knew two of them and they still work in the bush with her at Fast Harvesting – Lorraine Uatuku and Chrissy Marsden.

“It must have been tough for them both at the time in such a male-dominated industry,” says Laura, “but over the years they have paved the way for us younger women to come in. I really enjoy the Fast culture, especially the way the guys communicate and talk to me, rather than at me.”

Both Lorraine and Chrissy have been in the bush for many years and “can certainly strum the boys up when needed” says Ange.

Lorraine has been part of the Fast team on and off since the late 1990’s. She stopped a couple of times to have children and kept coming back. “She left and moved to

Australia for a few years, but came back to Tokoroa and back to the bush. Lorraine is on the ground as the quality controller, helps the team with the daily documentation and is a very conscientious safety representative for her crew. Chrissy is on the processor and came to us with a wealth of experience a year ago,” says Ange.

Ange adds: “These ladies have all earned the respect the men show them. Like Min, Laura started on the ground, log-making and doing the quality control and then moved to the processor which she has now been driving for several years.”

Hilary Dahm, who is also “a Tokoroa girl”, had a background in farming and had also been driving logging trucks for about three years prior to joining the team. “Being used to big machinery she has picked up the loader with ease and now loads the trucks instead of driving them,” says Ange.

Accounts Administrator, Julie McDonald, and Jodee Dyball, the new Payroll and HR Manager, make up the rest of the women’s contingent at Fast Harvesting.

Ange says as a woman in her own role in administration and support she has not been involved with negotiating with forest owners or managers but the women out on site have not experienced any negativity and are “well respected as they are very much part of the crew as they are just as skilled as the men”.

K

Min Tobenhouse at work.

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40 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

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6 Asked if she would encourage young women into the industry, Ange says, “Absolutely. We were involved with the local careers expo last month to give young guys and girls an insight into the forestry industry.

“For those who are willing to work hard, committed to training and ultimately bettering themselves, there are awesome opportunities in the bush. We already have some very skilled women on our machines and sometimes find they are a little bit easier on the gear. Plus, keeping up with the paperwork is a crucial part of the crew’s daily activities and our ladies often help out with that role within the crew as well.”

A fruitful partnership

4

Smiley and Ange met across the bar at the Tirau Pub back in the nineties.

“Smiley bowled into the pub with the Putaruru Rugby Club boys one night and we met across the bar, where I was working at the time as a second job,” she laughs.

With Smiley already working in logging, the couple were given the opportunity to go into a logging partnership the year after they were married.

“We went into partnership with Kevin and Linda Goodwin and set up Ribbonwood Cable Logging. We never imagined we’d own our own crew, but we were so grateful to have been given that start,” says Ange.

“Kevin and Linda were just the most amazing

mentors and businesspeople, and they’ve become such good friends over the years.”

Ange’s working background after leaving school was in general office work, taking care of accounts and wages, always with that second job in hospitality at night and on the weekends.

“When I started doing the wages and accounts in our business, I was working around our kids’ needs and the job was much simpler then.

“Over the years I’ve done everything from wages to HR, accounts and finance. Ask any wife or partner who works in the business and the list will go on, but I think my most important role is that of support. The forestry industry is tough and very stressful so trying to stay positive and supportive is probably my priority.”

Three kids in and with a lot of hard work, the couple expanded their operation and number of crews.

About nine years ago they bought out Kevin and Linda and have continued the tradition of giving other young up-andcomers opportunities to own their own crews.

“We’ve currently got about 45 staff over six crews, and one of those is a partnership in a crew, while two others have investments in their machines, and two other longtime employees have purchased their own machines and become sub-contractors,” she says, adding, “Three of our former employees

3

2

42 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

1

7 became partners and are now out on their own too.

“When we went out on our own, we changed the company name to Fast Harvesting. ‘Fast’ is a combination of our long-time nick names, Fraggle and Smiley’s Team, and what a great team we have,” she adds. Over the past five years we have built up our own management team, including an operations manager, an accounts legend, a health and safety coordinator and just recently a payroll and HR manager.”

She says a key thing she learned when going out on their own was the importance of getting that good professional team to advise them, including a great accountant and financier.

“It was important to have the right people advising us, that were neutral and we could bounce things off. That helped us to find our feet and grow.”

Stepping Sideways With the support team offering more flexibility in how she spends her time, Ange says she’s ready to take a step sideways in the business and spend more time going out with Smiley to the bush.

“I find it easier to understand things in the office if I can get out to the bush and see what the machines are and what they do, and I am still in awe of the skill these operators have when using the machinery.

Ange says that, along with the crew, the business works because she and Smiley make a good pair, complementing each other’s strengths.

“We’re quite different at how we look at the business which is probably quite useful.

Smiley is the positive can-do ‘jump in, yes man’ whereas I’m a bit more of the handbrake and like to take my time to think things through.

“In saying that, Smiley is always looking for better and safer ways of doing things and is constantly coming up with some pretty cool initiatives. I never hold him back with that.

“We’ve definitely learned the value of making positive changes in the business rather than going around in circles. For years we’d talk about the same issues and problems, but they don’t change if you don’t change something,” she says.

8

9

10

1: Min Tobenhouse processing logs.

2: Ange Alexander preparing a barbeque smoko on site.

3: Laura Solomon-Ahipu hard at work.

4: Hilary Dahm loading logs for transport.

5: Ange Alexander and Min Tobenhouse on site.

6: Maureen Johnstone with Min Tobenhouse.

7: Ange and Mu Aiturau catching up on site.

8: Presentation of certificates and vouchers at Crew 67 as part of the Fast Group Safety Incentive Scheme.

9: Chrissy Marsden with Crew 68.

10: Lorraine Uatuku with Crew 67.

June 2021 | NZ LOGGER 43

Women in Forestry

“One of my favourite sayings is ‘a bad attitude is like a flat tyre – you can’t go anywhere until you change it’.”

Ange says one thing they’ve always agreed on together is the need to look after staff really well.

“We like to reward and appreciate them and their families whenever we can. We have a barbeque trailer that we take out to the bush for crew barbeques to show our appreciation to our team,” she says.

“That’s probably the thing I enjoy the most, getting out to the bush amongst the girls and guys and having a yarn.

“With the great office team around us now, most of the day-to-day stuff is taken care of so I would like to reduce my days in the office and just start getting out and visiting the crews more often. I love to bake so will hit them at smoko time with morning tea just to show my appreciation.

Ange says she’s looking forward to planning for the future and getting to spend a bit more time with Smiley enjoying life. “I hope in the near future Smiley and I can start taking a little bit of time out away from work.

Working and living together for so long has been great (most of the time) but I think it’s time to find some interests to enjoy together outside of work,” says Ange.

“After focussing on our kids and business for so long, we’ll have to find some external interests as we haven’t really made time for that over the years,” she adds.

“Smiley’s the kind of guy that won’t take the afternoon off – if his guys are at work, he’s at work. I’m slowly trying to teach him that it’s okay to take some time out occasionally – maybe one day he’ll learn!” she laughs. NZL

Ange Alexander is a member of Women in Forestry, a grassroots network of female business-owners in the New Zealand forestry industry. Representing a range of contracting companies, members are often under immense pressure running their businesses, and this informal network provides support, knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities.

To learn more visit: www.womeninforestry.com

44 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

Below: Ange Alexander, Laura SolomonAhipu, Julie McDonald and Hilary Dahm.

Bottom: Smiley and Ange Alexander on site.

HARVESTECH

S3000 DELIMBER The tough no-motor pull-through delimber

S3000 Delimber features and benefits The Delimber delimbs logs like no other. It offers several advantages over hi-tech, higher maintenance alternatives: Low capital outlay

Reduces the need for reliable skid site staff

Easy to operate and maintain

Eliminates the need to delimb by chainsaw

Low maintenance

Helps to maintain a safe and sustainable work environment

Handles big wood Produces an exceptionally clean log finish

12 month comprehensive warranty.

Harvestech Delimbers – still going strong and still being produced by Trinder Engineers of Nelson.

Machines normally held in stock in Nelson and with our partner in Taupo - Everything Mechanical Ltd who also stock a good range of spare parts.

Latest price $60k + gst Call now Rene (0800 445 445) or Robbie (027 635 5788)

Robbie has been in the logging industry for 30 years and started Everything Mechanical Ltd in 2013 to support the logging industry with both servicing machinery and supplying good quality second-hand equipment and spare parts.

The Harvestech Delimber has complimented our business model very well as it is a very reliable and productive machine and a good bang for your buck.

We also offer a hire unit should your delimber require any service or a complete re-build.

Head office: Trinder Engineers, 02 Poutama Street, Richmond 7020, Nelson | Tel: +64 3 544 8024 Parts and service: Freephone (NZ): 0800 445 445 | rene@trinder.co.nz

LG31608

Robbie Fitzsimmons M: 027 6355 788 or 0226 664 764 E: everything.mechanical@hotmail.co.nz 59 Broadlands Road, Taupo

www.fica.org.nz

Hazard or Risk We often get asked about what the difference is between a “hazard” and a “risk”? Often it is felt that the two terms mean the same thing. It is important for your business to differentiate between these terms and what they actually mean. FICA, of course, has called in our partners at FISC to identify for us what that difference in meaning is and we take it from there.

What does hazard mean?

A “hazard” means a situation or thing that has the potential to harm a person. Hazards in your business may include: noisy machinery, a moving forklift, chemicals, electricity, working at heights or a repetitive job at your workplace.

What does risk mean?

A “risk” is the possibility that harm (death, injury or illness) might occur when exposed to a hazard in your workplace.

HAZARD A HAZARD is something that has the potential to harm you

VS

RISK RISK is the likelihood of a hazard causing harm

They say old habits die hard - and in forestry some old habits are putting people and businesses at risk unnecessarily. There’s anecdotal evidence that many forestry businesses are still following a ‘hazard spotting’ approach to risks at work. That is, they identify hazards, write them up, and then get on with the job without discussing the controls needed to manage the risks. The ‘new’ health and safety law passed in 2015 makes it clear that approach is not enough, and businesses need to develop some new habits.

In particular, they need to look beyond ‘hazards’ (which tend to be physical things you can see in front of you) and instead think about ‘risks’ (how someone might be harmed or the equipment damaged or work impacted). They should also think about things that can make risks worse (amplifiers) like: work pressure, fatigue, lack of the right resources or skills.

Businesses also need to shift their focus from listing hazards in a register to setting up ways of working that control the risks to safety and wellbeing in an ongoing way.

This approach might sound like it takes more effort. But your workers will know some of the answers if you speak with them and get them involved in the process. Experience shows us engaging workers and improving the management of risk makes businesses more resilient, including protecting them from incidents that can hurt people and damage valuable equipment. It's also important that the controls 46 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

Prue Younger, CEO Message are in place before work starts – always check it’s ‘safe to start’.

That’s why Safetree’s workshops this year are focusing on helping forestry businesses to develop a deeper understanding of risk, and how it can be managed. One thing that’s different about these workshops is that FISC runs them with people across the contracting chain – including separate sessions for workers, crew owners/contractors and forest owners/managers.

That means people can talk about the risks they face and the controls they can put in place and can identify the controls they need other people in the contracting chain to put in place. Everyone in the contracting chain has a role to play in safety and wellbeing.

FISC is also taking these free workshops to more remote areas where forestry businesses often operate and they ran the first ones in Te Araroa in East Cape in late March.

Feedback from the Te Araroa sessions was really positive, and included comments like: • “This style of engagement and language is new to me and I really liked it.”

• “It really focussed my thinking on how I can bet ter understand risk”.

• “Great new approach which was much more engaging than the usual conversation.”

• “Not the usual safety message!”

FISC is keen to see contractors take up this opportunity for training and education so if you would like them to run these workshops in your region, please get in touch with FISC at info@safetree.nz A combination of control measures can significantly reduce the risk level, ensuring that something with the potential to cause harm (the hazard) is not able to actually cause harm or that the harm is minimised (the risk). Often a task may be classified as high risk when it is, in fact, high hazard. Just because a task or activity involves hazards, doesn't mean it is high risk.

Hazardous work can be made safe providing that each risk is controlled so that the work can be carried out without harm. The hazard is still there, but the risk is controlled.

Activities may have many hazards, but the level of risk can be reduced by good management and controls. Where you can eliminate hazards, you can remove the risk. In circumstances where hazards cannot be removed, they can be controlled and the risks reduced. By identifying hazards, and the risks associated with them, you can put in place control measures and careful management, so that the remaining residual risk is low.

Thanks to Fiona Ewing, National Director at FISC, for her contribution to this article.

top spot

Safety/performance/quality

Mechanised versus m MECHANISATION HAS BROUGHT A LOT OF positive change to our industry through reducing risk associated with manual tree felling.

However, we would all agree mechanised tree felling has limits in terms of size of tree that can be felled, terrain, slope, economics and, most importantly, confidence and/or skill of operators.

The downside to these limits means we are generally putting manual tree fallers into situations where felling is less frequent and in higher risk situations.

All the more reason to focus on manual tree fallers to ensure they are fit to undertake this work and are maintaining their skill levels.

That is also why we specifically target manual tree fallers and spend quality time with them down the hill, understanding and observing how they operate.

The result of this is the recognition of the specific skill set these folk have and demonstrate.

On the assumption that we will not walk away from trees that cannot be felled mechanically, in relative terms, more intense support of manual tree fallers will need to be maintained to minimise the risk these folk are exposed to.

We look forward to these folk demonstrating the skills that make them stand out.

We have included a few photos in this issue demonstrating some of the manual felling challenges faced and skills demonstrated by our tree fellers.

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, CMH Logging, Hauraki and Moehau Logging, Thomassen Logging, Te Waa Logging, Inta-Wood Forestry, Otautau Contractors, Heslip Forest

Contracting, Waikato Forestry Services, Makerikeri Silviculture, XMen Forestry, Central Forestry Services, Mangoihe Logging, Kohurau Contracting, Dennis E Hayes Logging, Ernslaw One, Blue Wood Logging, Mike Hurring Logging, McCallum Harvesting, Whisker Logging, Kaha Logging, Lahar Logging, Dempsey Logging, Moutere Logging, JBD Harvesting, McDougall Logging, Forest View Logging, Kimberley Logging, Dewes Logging, Manaia Logging, Storm Logging, Eastside Logging, Veal Forestry, McHoull Forestry, Pride Forestry, Bay Pine, Penetito Forestry, FM Silviculture, Forest View Forestry, Wayne Cummings, Rodco Forestry, Johnson Forestry, Pro Forest Services, Eastside Logging.

Into safety?

Into performance?

Into quality?

Contact Shane Perrett on 0274 781 908, 07 3483037 or at primefm@xtra.co.nz. NZL

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 Partners – STIHL and NZ Logger and sponsor SWAZI.

48 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

Marty of Mike Hurring Thinning unloading the bunk of Douglas fir in Beaumont forest.

top spot

Safety/performance/quality

s manual felling

Not your normal P.radiata – manual Shannon Todd, 'Tree Faller' falling felling is the only practical option. a 90-year-old Douglas.

Adam McIver, 'loader operator' and helping out on the skids to log make and cut up.

Clint McIver and Shannon Todd standing next to a fallen 90-year-old Douglas – machine-assist tree falling.

Tyrone Keenan standing on the stump of a hazardous tree removed through manual tree felling.

Marty of Mike Hurring Thinning preparing to carry out some maintenance on his JD1910 forwarder.

Shannon Todd of Bluewood logging scarfing up a big old macrocarpa.

June 2021 | NZ LOGGER 49

new iron

SHAW’S COMBO FOR M.F.L

VIEW FROM THE TOP Jon Harmer of Harmer Earthmoving showing off his drone-flying skills with photos of his new Hyundai FX3026LL being put to work in the forest. Machine sold by Porter Equipment South Island Sales Manager, Peter Wells.

The team at M.F.L Logging has taken delivery of an ACME GS23 by Shaw’s. It’s the first one to hit the coast. Crew owner, Mitch Evans, made the decision to go with an ACME because of the versatility the dual purpose grapple/slackpulling combo carriage gives and the safety of grappling the big wood out of the cut-over while having fewer men on the ground. Pictured: Mitch (centre) and his crew in Aratu’s Huanui Forest.

SATCO FOR ALLEN LOGGING

FIRSTCO GETS TWO CATS

Allen Logging has taken delivery of a SAT3L2sc which has been attached to an existing base machine. Mike has set this machine up so that the harvester can be removed and grapple installed.

The changeover (when needed) has been made easier with the SATCO quick change system.

Pete Smith of Firstco Forest Harvesting has taken delivery of two new Cat machines from Terra Cat. His new 538FM LL features a spacious Cat rear entry cab and 1730 Ensign grapple and has been put to work in the Kaiangaroa Forest. The Cat 548FM also has a 1730 Ensign grapple and is Firstco’s main load out machine.

Operator, Phil, is very happy with the powerful performance and the roomy cab. Mark Costello from Terra Cat sold both machines.

June 2021 | NZ LOGGER 51

new iron

KOMATSU FOR GRAHAM LOGGING

WOODSMAN PRO FOR MAUNGAWARU Maungawaru Logging based in Opotiki recently took delivery of a new Woodsman Pro 750 tree harvester, which was fitted to the company's existing Eltec FHL277L base machine. Originally fitted with a Woodsman Pro FH1350C felling head, the C felling head setup allows for interchange between felling head and tree harvester.

Sold by Adam Aldworth, Sales Woodsman Pro.

NEW MACHINERY FOR MAHUTA Mahuta Logging has taken delivery of a SANY SY415H full ensign guarding package, including high and wide, fitted with a Woodsman Pro 850 processing head, by Shaw’s. The crew is pictured with the machine which is working out of Port Waikato performing processing duties.

52 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

Chris and Melissa Graham of Graham Logging have recently taken delivery of a new Komatsu PC 300LC-8. The Komatsu has a full Active Heavy Duty Forestry Guarding Package and is fitted with a Woodsman FH 1350 Felling Head. Ethan Graham commented to John Kosar of Komatsu Forest NZ that he is very happy with the new machine which has “heaps of power”.

Pictured from left: Peewee, Jackson, Temera, Adam Aldworth, (Woodsman), Ryan Du-Tout (Komatsu Forest NZ), Chris Graham, Shannon, Ethan Graham (operator) and John Kosar (Komatsu Forest NZ). Photographer - Mike Lepper (Active).

ANOTHER DOOSAN FOR NEWTON Rotorua’s Newton Logging has taken delivery of another new Doosan DX 300 LL. This machine has gone into Newton 25 working in Tarawera forest. The machine was sold, guarded and serviced by Priceright Parts and Machinery, Rotorua.

new iron JOHN DEERE FOR B.E.L FORESTRY Another successful delivery of a new John Deere 948L-II, this time to B.E.L Forestry in Marlborough.

Pictured from left: Drummond & Etheridge C&F Sales Consultant Mark Blakemore, B.E.L Forestry Owner Jason Bryant, Forestry Manager, Cory, and operator, Jaydn.

ANOTHER SATCO FOR RIKI COOK Riki Cook Logging has taken delivery of a new SAT3L2sc attached to a Hyundai 3230G factory forestry machine.

Riki has been around SATCO forestry attachments for a number of years. First as an operator for a contractor near Timaru. Then he was in a position to purchase a SAT630 felling grapple which he still has doing most of the falling work for his crew. And now he has the SAT3L2sc for processing on the landing. Riki says he was impressed with the quick set-up on delivery.

CAT 538LL FOR WAYNE SPICER This new Cat 538LL forestry machine is a recent addition for Wayne Spicer, and has been put to work in his woodlot operation in the Taupo region. The unit is coupled with a Duxson GX171 grapple, and was delivered

by Territory Account Manager Brent Van Der Burg from Rotorua.

NEW MADILL FOR FLIGHT HARVESTING Flight Harvesting is seen here operating its brand new Madill HT2250C feller buncher with attached SATCO 3L2 processing head in the Central North Island. Madill has been in the forestry game since 1911 and the quality of their machines reflects this 100+ year heritage, says Flight Harvesting.

Sold and Delivered by Porter Equipment.

June 2021 | NZ LOGGER 53

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56 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

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June 2021 | NZ LOGGER 57

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Built to banish downtime.

For heavy tyres, there’s no such thing as an easy job. That’s why the entire Nokian foresty tyre range is built to stand up to the harshest of conditions and heaviest of applications.

To get the best from your gear, choose Nokian.

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Phone us on 0800 NOKIAN (0800 665 426) or email info@nokian.co.nz to find a dealer.

58 NZ LOGGER | June 2021

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