from the editor February 2023 | $8.00
limo retch The st kidders s of lognimble too!
ISSN 1176-0397
PHOTO: TIM BENSEMAN
Quick
and
Sawmilling legends: Logging the Punga
One machine, three roles
Additional lights make early mornings safer and more efficient as the Tigercat 635H skidder gets to work for Tainui Logging in central Kaingaroa.
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2 NZ LOGGER | February 2023
Then and now NEW PM, NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGES. THE DECEMBER FESTIVITIES feel far behind us, and summer seems to have found its way to other coasts this year. Cyclone Hale came for an unwelcome visit, and we all know what that means for forestry. Fighters from all corners are calling for a formal inquiry into forestry practices, from the Environmental Defence Society to Federated Farmers and even East Coast residents themselves who signed a petition after erosion sediment and forestry slash took their toll on the region once more. While the industry is doing its part to remove debris, stakeholders are not averse to an independent review. After all, how can you improve if you don’t correct your mistakes? Players warn against a top-down solution though, saying the community and all stakeholders need to be involved in decisions that affect them. The NZ Forest Owners Association (FOA) emphasises that a long-term outlook is needed, taking into account factors such as land use, risk management decisions and even bioenergy potential as the role of forestry in the region comes into question. “Learnings and change have always come out of previous reviews, and the industry expects this should be no different,” says FOA President, Grant Dodson. See our Forest Talk pages for more. Looking to the past always guides the present, whether it be via a review or the experiences of our predecessors. This month we take a walk through history with a photo essay by historian, Ron Cooke. In those times of discovery and invention every day was an adventure in the bush, and there was certainly no shortage of interesting, determined characters. Some things never change. Not only our perseverance but that spirit of innovation too. Our feature on the Kobelco ED 160 or Blade Runner as it is aptly named, shows what a bit of out-of-the-box thinking can achieve. Taking on three roles in one, for a small machine, it can do a lot! Of course, innovation doesn’t automatically equal less stress. As volumes harvested over the years have increased thanks to mechanisation, physical safety may have improved but mental health is still a concern. Trevor Best and Professor Rien Visser of the University of Canterbury tackle this difficult subject. Until next time, stay safe (both in mind and body).
