Million-dollar machines were halted at a forestry skid site in December so Year 10 Campion College students could see what happens during a harvest.
It’s the first time Gisborne students have been taken inside a commercial forest in many years.
Hosting the field trips was Erica Kinder, from the not-for-profit industry-funded programme, Discover Forestry New Zealand.
“A big part of the education programme was giving the teachers and students a good time and understanding how whole forest systems work,” she says.
“We want to show people what happens in a forest rather than keep it behind the closed gates of the past. It also shows them different career pathways available in the industry.
“Forestry is so important to our economy, it brings in 6.7 billion a year to New Zealand, which is seven times more than viticulture,” she adds.
Although this is the 17th field trip she has hosted this year around New Zealand, it was the first time ever in Gisborne after being invited by the Eastland Wood Council. The initiative is backed by local foresters and Turanga Ararau.
Buses took the Year 10 students to three stops along Waingake Road: a young forest for pruning experience, a stream for water testing and a logging site. The final stop was Knapdale Eco Lodge, an agroforestry block off Back Ormond Road.
Campion College student, Riley Marshall (15), says the field day had a positive impact on how she views in forestry: “trees are important”.
Year 10 student, Francesca Grant (14), says, “Initially forestry had sounded boring, but there are so many different parts of forestry you can work in. It made me think about working in water testing”.
Forest Enterprises Regional Manager, Warren Rance, came along to share his knowledge, including the importance of pruning. He showed the students how to prune before handing out loppers so they could have a go.
At a stream downhill, students got water testing kits to check the clarity, temperature and whether there were any bugs in the water (a good sign).
Mr Rance explained that water in streams is regularly checked and tested, “to see how we’re doing in the hills above and so that we can make changes if needed”.
“We proudly look after our environment and a good indication is healthy water in and leaving our forests.”
Also along for the day was Forest Enterprises Manager, Jeramiah Te Kira, who shared his story. Originally from Ūawa/Tolaga Bay, he first got into forestry as a roading contractor.
After one year there he moved into harvesting for three years before moving to Rotorua to study for his Forest Management Diploma. He’s now back home in a management role and, “just loving it”.
Feedback from the forest trip was positive. Campion College teacher, Jon Barry, says the trip “rocked”, and teacher aide, Sam Jones, says it was great: “27 years living in Gisborne and I’d never been to a forest like this”.
The students were allowed to hop on board modern, million-dollar air-conditioned...
