Forest Talk

In the February 2024 edition of NZ Logger magazine, we take a look at a semi-autonomous skidder manufactured by Konrad, together with EcoForst – which manufactures the T-Winch that is already well known in New Zealand. It is specifically designed to be supported by a T-Winch winch-assist – hence the name T-Skidder. The movement of the skidder itself is either remote or GPS controlled, so no need for an operator – and hence also no need for a ..... more

As the fire danger continues to increase in the area, Muriwhenua moved into prohibited fire season last month, until further notice. This means no open-air fires will be permitted in the Far North. 

Declaring the prohibited season, Fire and Emergency New Zealand Northland District Manager, Wipari Henwood, said the high westerly winds are already causing ‘spike days’ to occur where the fire danger is hitting the highest level of ‘extreme’.

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Trees and slash came out tops at the recent Young Enterprise Scheme National Awards.

Students from Papa Taiao Earthcare were awarded The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Company of the Year for their business Trees for Change. The company was awarded $3000, as well as a $5000 scholarship for each company member to the Massey University Business School, and their school was awarded $2,000. They were also the recipients of the National Exc..... more

The 20,000th Ponsse forest machine has been completed at Ponsse’s factory in Vieremä, Finland. After the celebration on 11 December, the Ponsse Bear harvester with Ponsse H8 harvester head will go to a Norwegian customer, Lågen Skogsdrift AS.

“It’s great to see that machine number 20,000 is coming to Norway and to a customer with whom we have good and long cooperation. Our market here in Norway is growing, and this year will be a new record year..... more

Conventional seed banking alone isn’t enough to conserve all of Aotearoa’s endemic plants, says Dr Sarah Wyse, who lectures in the School of Forestry at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha|University of Canterbury (UC).

She says protection of te taiao (the environment) is the first line of defence for plant conservation with the preservation of native plant species in artificial seedbanks – known as ex situ conservation — as an important back-up. more

“We have seen a reduction in firewood purchase across the district over this winter period,” says Tiri Johnsen, Director of The Firewood Company. “This could be due to various factors, including the amount of free firewood on offer around the region, including old vines and construction timber, or sadly, it could be a direct cause of the cost-of-living crisis.”

The Firewood Company is urging Marlburians and all New Zealanders to consider stocking up ..... more