FORESTRY IN WAIRARAPA Looking after forests ‘takes a village’

Forest Enterprises manages around 20,000 hectares of forestry in the Wairarapa. Working with our Masterton-based team are a range of contractors who carry out specialist forestry ÿ eldwork.

“It takes a village”, as they say, to look after the health and productivity of our forests.

Silviculture

D & T Silviculture Ltd

Damian and Tracey Kamo were nominated 3 times by di˛ erent parties in this category, showing how valued they are in the sector. Nominations included a range of endorsements for this hard working crew employing 21 sta˛ , but many mention the manner in which D&T Silviculture complete their operations. Quality of work is outstanding with operations completed to schedule or early.

Regular sta˛ get togethers take place that creates a tight nit culture, similar to a rugby team, a sport Damian and a lot of the crew play. Some playing in the Wairarapa representative team where they live.

Tracey believes in upskilling the crew and regular training and assessments take place, another reason the team work so well.

Steve Couper from Ernslaw One were pleased to sponsor.

Keenan Forestry Ltd

Sam Keenan always ensures his sta˛ have training plans and are progressing with their pathways despite obstacles like bad weather, diesel prices or log prices. An example of Keenan’s dedication is ° ying in trainers at their own expense from the South Island as they progress into mechanized and tethered felling. As well as paying 11 full time sta˛ , Keenan Forestry from the Tararua region will often take on young people with no experience and will actively ensure they receive training and mentorship. This has included working with schools in gateway programs where students will start with 1 day a week onsite. These students usually develop a passion for forestry and stay as full time sta˛ with training programs. Competenz Forestry National Manager, Christine Ewart consider Keenan Forestry to be a standout amongst logging crews in training and with their investment in future loggers and worthy winners of this award.

Silviculture is about establishing, growing and tending forest crops. Our contractors work all year round, in all weather!

Planting is a major exercise that ensures every tree is correctly planted to maximise the vitality of the crop. We plant in winter when the ground is softened by wetter weather and the seedlings are dormant. Planting is manual and done in teams. One person can plant about 800 trees per day. We replant all forest land after harvest.

Pruning and thinning operations begin 3-5 years after planting.

Pruners select the best trees in the forest and remove the lower branches to promote the growth of knot-free (and highest value) timber.

Thinning is where whole trees are removed within a stand to promote growth from the remaining best quality crop.

Harvesting

We engage experienced, Safetree Certiÿ ed logging contractors and have a preference for fully mechanised operations which are safer and often more productive.

Most logging contractors are able carry out ground-based harvesting on ° atter country and hauler harvesting on steeper slopes. Most forests are located in the hills so require a bit of both.

Building roads and landings (log processing areas) within the forest is a major part of our harvesting programme and are essential for accessing all the trees and transporting the timber to market.

Transport sniwoodcouncil@gmail.com

Cartage contractors truck logs from the forest either directly to the local sawmill, or to the Waingawa Rail Hub if bound for export.

The Southern North Island Wood Council provides a collective voice for the forestry sector in Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Tararua and Wellington. Members have a common interest in ensuring the long-term success of the sector. Membership is open to any company or individual with an interest in the local wood industry.

Erica Kinder, SNI Wood Council CEO, can be contacted for more information.

0273 290 498 sniwoodcouncil.co.nz/

Our export logs travel by train to CentrePort. Logs are ÿ rst measured and tagged for full traceability before being loaded onto the train.

Forestry ÿ eldwork

Other contractors are engaged to carry out pest plant and pest animal control, fencing and general maintenance. Specialists are also engaged to audit forest health as well as our management systems for the environment, rare native species, reserves and historic areas, plus health and safety.

Forest Enterprises proudly sponsors forestry awards Congratulations to Foxpine Logging from Bulls for winning the 2023 Contractor of the Year Award on Friday, which we sponsored. Thanks to Stihl Shop Masterton for sponsoring the winner’s prize. Congratulations also to Mark McCarthy (Contribution to Forestry) and Dave Cummings (Distribution Excellence) from local company McCarthy Transport for winning their respective categories.