Forest Talk

Principal forest science researcher, Dr Mike Watt, took the Individual/Lifetime Achievement for his leadership in forest science, at the recent Science New Zealand Awards celebrating Scion’s leadership in forestry science, bioplastics research and biotechnology. 

Scientists from all seven Crown Research Institutes and Callaghan Innovation were represented at the ceremony held in Parliament. The awards are in three categories - Early Career Resea..... more

A new temporary residence pathway for skilled drivers under immigration settings is being welcomed by the transport industry.

Representatives of the freight, waste management, and bus and coach sectors had written to Immigration Minister Michael Wood in October to share their concern at a combined shortfall of more than 9000 drivers, and to call for urgent changes to immigration rules, to enable more skilled drivers to be brought in from offshore.&nb..... more

While mass timber is growing in popularity, more can still be done, according to a 2022 survey of design, construction and building professionals into the perceptions and barriers to mass timber use in construction. 

The survey, commissioned by the Mid-Rise Wood Construction Programme and carried out by BRANZ, was distributed to manufacturers, builders, architects, designers, engineers, building officials and quantity surveyors. 

The ..... more

The Forestry Hub at Fieldays, opened by Forestry Minister, Stuart Nash, drew plenty of attention earlier this month. Farm Forestry Association President, Graham West, says the farm forestry section of the hub had a team of practical experts on hand to provide advice on how to use a range of tree species, also demonstrating a new tree crop planning web-tool called Treefarmer.  

Forest Owners Association President, Grant Dodson, adds that forestry..... more

At 9.5 metres long and 285 horsepower, the Tigercat 635H is one big mother of a skidder. And big is what Tainui Logging owner Phil Hemopo was looking for when he planned this new machine purchase a bit over a year ago.

“You know you are on to a good thing when a machine is out of stock and you need to order it a year in advance,” he says. 

“Here in central Kaingaroa the Douglas fir blocks we harvest have a smaller and lighter piece size th..... more

The name Henry Fear is synonymous with innovation in New Zealand forestry circles. Whether it be as an early disruptor in silviculture with mechanical planters; introducing ‘smart spades’ which identify exactly where to plant a tree seedling; or hydrogel to extend the planting season, where there’s transformation, you’ll find Henry in the thick of it. His latest project is no exception. The Kobelco BR 160, aka the Bladerunner, using an MDE Koala 400 Tree S..... more