Forest Talk

It’s obvious somebody is doing something very different with this Komatsu PC300FX at PJ and DA Stephens Logging Contractors Taupo, and judging by the glowing report that owner and part-time operator, Pete Stephens, has on this machine, different is Very good, says Iron Test writer, Tim Benseman.  

He continues: “As great operators get harder to come by, it's critical that cabs become better places to work and cooling is a key component to air qu..... more

A series of webinars on the Levy Vote 2024 is underway, hosted by the Forest Owners Association (FOA) and Forest Growers Levy Trust (FGLT).

The Harvested Wood Material Levy is paid by every plantation forest owner in New Zealand when their trees are harvested.

Money raised by the levy is used to support work for the collective benefit of the industry. The levy supports research and development work, health and safety initiatives, biosecurity pr..... more

A substantial consultation on work health and safety which began last month is the first step to deliver on the commitment to reforming health and safety law and regulations set out in the ACT-National Coalition Agreement, says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden. 

“Businesses and community organisations spend a huge amount of money trying to keep people safe, but it’s worthwhile asking: are the rules and expectations propo..... more

With some old hands, a young boss, new machinery, and women at the controls, all working on schedule for a well-respected forestry company, Goodman Logging is a snapshot of the modern era.

And, if there’s a type of character who might illustrate the changes that have taken place in forestry in recent years, it could well be Nick Goodman.

Nick has the easy drawl of someone comfortable in his own skin, and in the kind of forest where he has spent..... more

The 2024 National final of the New Zealand Hitachi Top Technician competition tested the skills of the top four technicians who reigned successful during the regional rounds of the competition. The regional rounds were held earlier in the year which saw 14 highly skilled technicians narrowed down to just four. 

The four who were successful in securing their spot in the National final were Pieter Neethling and Terry Taylor, from CablePrice’s Auck..... more

Once again woody debris filled culverts in Gisborne’s Wainui Stream after late June’s  storm - a build-up described as “a lot worse than Gabrielle”.

It comes just months after a group of local surfers cleaned up the area, removing debris that had accumulated from previous storms.

Surfer, Jonas Te Aho, who helped lead the last clean-up with his surf crew Te Moananui a Kiwa, says it is the worst build-up he has seen: “A lot worse than Gabrie..... more