Forest Talk

As the details of yet another worker death emerge from a court prosecution, WorkSafe is again urging the forestry sector to reflect on what more it can do to improve safety.

Jake Duncan was fatally struck when a log came loose and hurtled 325 metres down a hill at Tangoio, north of Napier, in June 2021. The 23-year-old was doing breaking out work, with felled logs connected to a hauling machine for extraction.

The loose log had been put in plac..... more

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka joined tangata whenua from Ngāi Tahu and local community members last month to celebrate the opening of New Zealand’s eleventh Great Walk – the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track.

“The 60km upgraded track provides the opportunity to do one of New Zealand’s world-class multi-day walks, and will bring conservation, recreation and economic benefits to the region,” Mr Potaka says.

“Located in Te Wāhipounamu, in the south-w..... more

Against the backdrop of economic instability and significant headwinds affecting the ports industry, CentrePort has reported the highest gross revenue in its history, demonstrating the strength of the port’s diversified trade.

Achieving $106.2m in gross revenue, this is $7.6m higher than FY23 and one of several positive results CentrePort has recorded.

“In addition, we have reported a $14.7m underlying NPAT this financial ye..... more

The outlook for the fire season in Victoria, particularly in western Victoria, is looking particularly dire, with record low rainfall and low soil moisture readings creating ideal conditions for bushfires, says Australia’s Victorian Forest Products Association (VFPA).

“All the Bureau of Meteorology’s predictors in the western part of Victoria are showing a drier than usual lead up to the fire season, with soil moisture low, and a high fuel load ringi..... more

Domestic timber demand remains low

The domestic demand for sawn timber in New Zealand remains well below production capacity, says PF Olsen’s Scott Downs in the company’s October Log market Report. Mills have reduced orders for logs, so forest owners have to export a higher percentage of their production. Fortunately, At Wharf Gate (AWG) prices for export logs increased by an average of 9 NZD in October. The CFR log prices in China have risen stea..... more

A new bridge suitable for logging trucks is nearing completion in the Waihopai Valley, Marlborough.

The previous structure was washed away in the July 2021 storm and locals have made do with a temporary Bailey bridge servicing the upper valley since September that year.

“The new single-lane bridge is 110 metres long with seven spans. It towers nine metres above the river on piles that were sunk 10 metres into the river bed. It’s a very impressi..... more