Forest Talk

Tigercat has filled a gap in its log loader line-up with the introduction of the compact 865 to New Zealand, providing an entry into the highly competitive 30-tonne loader market.

Among the first to put his hand up for a new 865 was Taupo contractor, Ron Thomassen, who has owned a number of Tigercat forestry machines over the years.

He cited power, performance and the extra size of the Tigercat 865 as reasons for choosing this machine. Has it met his expecta..... more

In the 70 years since the radiata pine breeding programme was established, breeders have only been able to rely on paper-based records of tree identity and pedigree.

For the first time, Scion and the Radiata Pine Breeding Company (RPBC) have used genomics tools to determine the real relationships among trees and the real tree identities to update and improve the radiata pine breeding pedigree.

Tracking tree pedigrees is important in radiata pine tree breedin..... more

Originally scheduled for last year, Council-owned forestry blocks on the outskirts of Nelson are finally being harvested following a COVID delay.

The Council delayed the work last year to let businesses that operate near or in the blocks continue to operate after the COVID-19 lockdown. Those businesses were primarily mountain biking businesses.

The current harvest will close public access to the popular walking and cycle trails in the Brook and Maitai Valley..... more

Turning forestry waste into a potential billion-dollar industry is the focus of a new business case by Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service working in conjunction with global investment experts, Indufor Asia Pacific. The intention is to lay the foundation for a new biofuels industry. 

“Establishing a biofuels industry in New Zealand will require significant investment, so we’re moving ahead with developing the business case for this investment,” says Jas..... more

Planning for WoodTECH 2021 is now well underway. The event, with a two-yearly focus on sawmilling, provides an independent showcase for local companies to evaluate the latest in innovations, technology and operating practices around saw design and operation, mill maintenance, wood scanning, sawmilling and mill optimisation.  

This year’s event is expected to be one of few that will be run in 2021 – anywhere around the world. This year, changes have been made ..... more

The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) are demanding improvements to Health & Safety in New Zealand ports.

Things have to change, say union leaders with port workers being killed and hurt due to systemic problems in the industry.

MUNZ National Secretary, Craig Harrison, says the string of deaths and serious accidents at Ports of Auckland over the last few years is a glaring example of the problem, recently expos..... more