Forest Talk

Over the last two decades, a lot of effort and research has focused on improving cable logging systems

This has been driven by the need to mechanise both for productivity and safety reasons, and also in recognition of the fact that, in many regions, harvesting has moved on to ever steeper terrain.

The list of improvements are impressive, with motorised grapples, winch-assist, mobile tail holds, advanced operating controls and even remote-contro..... more

Next month, Innovatek’s New Zealand and Australia WoodTECH conference series will bring industry leaders and technical specialists together to network and learn.  The focus is on getting the best from advancing technologies. With leading international experts there will plenty on offer. It’s all about new ways of improving wood products.

For 2026 conference sessions will include: Sawing technology developments, wood treatment product advances, k..... more

Autumn has been open day season for dealers and manufacturers across the central North Island.

First cab off the rank was Warataha’s Tokoroa factory. The open day doubled as the signing off of Waratah’s two latest design projects - the 628HX harvester head and the FL90 felling head, which were both on display.

Waratah is owned by John Deere and the parent company’s Vice President of Worldwide Forestry, Mary Pat Tubb, was there.

“The turno..... more

The recent Innovatek Environmental Forestry Conference highlighted both old and new environmental challenges faced by the forestry industry, from pest control to the impact, benefits and value of long term forestry experiments.

Pre-conference, there was a morning workshop looking at recent regulatory changes.

To start the conference proper, James Newman’s keynote address covered last year’s Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) r..... more

Hundreds of Canterbury students and teachers recently explored the world of forestry through Discover Forestry’s  Wood is Good days and Grow Me bus trips, gaining first-hand experience of the people, processes and technology that drive the sector.  The interactive days allow students and teachers to engage directly with foresters, logging trucks, drones, measurement and science, giving them a deeper appreciation for the work behind the wood we us..... more

The forest has always been a special place for Kiana Sayer-White. And with her father, Aaron, and older brother, Kasey, being in the industry, you could say forestry is in her blood.

But throughout her early years of school, that wasn’t where she was heading. For a long time, she planned a future in farming. Despite being accepted for university, the love of the forest kept chipping away at Kiana, and towards the end of school, she decided to try and..... more