Forest Talk

New Zealand Immigration settings were changed without consultation by Government last month. The Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) says the changes have had an immediate impact on a number of members.  

Most affected are those involved in silviculture using seasonal workers from the Pacific Islands to fill gaps in the New Zealand Workforce. The main changes affecting contractors are to do with additional requirements relating to the..... more

Government has set the ambitious target of doubling exports by value within 10 years, and new opportunities in the Chinese market will play a key role in achieving this, says Trade and Agriculture Minister, Todd McClay.

“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” he adds.

Mr McClay recently visited Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he me..... more

You know things are going to get interesting when you are still 20 kilometres from the skid North of Gisborne and the road, halfway up the range, surrounded by grass paddocks for miles, suddenly looks like a hillbilly’s driveway due to cyclone damage, says Iron Test writer, Tim Benseman. Out the gate steep and narrow and it's got a twist in it? Surely log trucks or even ordinary trucks would fall off the side of this trail, he asks. Maps app says it's..... more

It’s all a bit gloomy really, says Forest360 Director Marcus Musson. In his words:

“Daylight savings has finished, lambs and logs are worth bugger all, the media has lost its social license, and the economy is in the cart. No matter who you talk to in the primary and wider sectors, most are facing some significant headwinds in terms of rising costs and reducing sales prices. The days of discussions around the water cooler about what size engine you a..... more

Many people are surprised when they learn that kiwi can thrive in pine forests. The truth is, kiwi can live just about anywhere, as long as there’s adequate shelter, food, water, and protection from predators. Native forest, pasture, grassland, sand dunes, snow... and, that’s right, plantation forests can all be suitable habitats.

Craig Balsom, Save the Kiwi forestry specialist, recently visited Rosewarne’s Crew 83 in Summit Forest’s Whangapoua Fores..... more

Taranaki’s TrackGrip brand has secured Todd Hoffman, reality star and creator of Discovery channel’s Hoffman Family Gold, as brand ambassador along with his father Jack Hoffman and Foreman Andy Spinks.  

TrackGrip offers a range of durable and patented excavator and tracked vehicle attachments to increase traction on the toughest of terrains, from icy slopes to dense mud in industries ranging from forestry to mining. As miners, Mr Hoffman and hi..... more