Forest Talk

The impact of poor forestry logging practices, clear felling and silt following rains has been disastrous for the ecology of the inner bays, says Marlborough environmentalist and Sounds landowner Pete Watson. 

Despite numerous scientific reports warning of the threat, the wellbeing of the Idyllic Marlborough Sounds is declining under a smothering blanket of silt, he says. He is frustrated over the lack of action to combat the problem despite sci..... more

New Zealand’s Waratah Forestry Equipment is celebrating 50 years of innovation in the international forestry industry. 

 “We’re proud to celebrate our 50th anniversary this year thanks to our loyal customers and dedicated team members across the globe,” says General Manager of worldwide distribution at Waratah, Heather Robinson. 

Waratah customers are a testament to the company’s reliability and legacy, she adds. “While the indus..... more

Scion turned 75 in April 2022 and, as part of a series of events across the year marking the milestone, staff have dug deep into the archives to celebrate the people and research activity that have shaped Scion’s history of impact in New Zealand’s forestry sector with a new photography exhibition.

Eight photos are on display in an intimate gallery space in Scion’s Rotorua building, Te Whare Nui o Tuteata until April 2023. They are a visual record of ..... more

The first summer Fieldays at Mystery Creek at the end of last year saw numerous visitors despite the wet and blustery weather. 

The event was officially opened with a pōwhiri and the rising of flags, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the society’s President, James Allen, Minister for Trade and Export Growth, Damien O’Connor, and cut by Tumuaki o te Kiingitanga Hone Thompson. 

With punters braving the forecasted torrential r..... more

The bigger they are the more challenging it becomes when electrifying vehicles and equipment to reduce carbon emissions.

Infrastructure company Fulton Hogan has just flicked the switch on a ground-breaking fully electric mobile asphalt crusher, believed to be the first in Australasia.

The Belgian-designed Keestrack R3e, supplied by Equip2, is now being used in the company’s Auckland asphalt recycling plant.

The asphalt recycling plant is ..... more

This month features a photo essay by historian, Ron Cooke, extracted from his book Logging the Punga which he co-authored with the late Ken Anderson and Audrey Walker. The 390-page book covers a detailed history of the Manunui branch of the enterprising King Country sawmilling operation of Ellis & Burnand. Serving as a follow-up to Trevor Coker’s feature on ‘How Steam Haulers Opened up the Bush’ (NZ Logger, May 2018), the focus here is on some of their ste..... more