Forest Talk

This month our Iron Test team visits the Catlins with Mark Farrell from Farrell Logging to test his new Komatsu 895HD Comfort Ride forwarder.  

Says, Iron Test writer Tim Benseman: “Eastern Southland looks like one of the luckiest parts of the country to be a logger. Smoothly rolling hills, nice tall and straight tree stems, and bright green grassy paddocks of beef and mutton to ensure a tasty dinner after work. And then you can add in zero earl..... more

A New Zealand-first study highlights Scion’s work to improve propagation and increase the production of indigenous species in nurseries. The study investigates the impact of container grade size on the survival and field performance of 12 key native species – to better understand the link between containers and post-planting seedling survival and growth performance.

Scion raises seedlings from the 12 native species in different container sizes, testi..... more

Putting waste forestry wood to good use by making it available to locals who need firewood for winter was the aim of Tasman District Council’s (TDC) Charity Firewood Day earlier this month. 

After a few growing pains in the first year (including a 6km traffic jam), last year’s timed ticket system was a hit, and the event was brought back to Moturoa/Rabbit Island for 2025. 

Everything ran smoothly, and the council and its forestry part..... more

As part of its Future Made in Australia Plan, Federal Labor has announced ‘ReMade in Australia’ where products that have a minimum of 20% recycled content, 50% of which must be Australian made, can display a new logo. The 50% local component will increase to 100% in 2030.

Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam, says, “Manufacturers of timber and wood-fibre products across our sector use a huge amoun..... more

Vocational education and training providers will be given more control over their own programmes, beginning next year, says Vocational Education Minister, Penny Simmonds.

She says Government will introduce a new, independent, and industry-led model for work-based learning: “Vocational education and training providers will be able to manage all aspects of an apprenticeship or traineeship at an industry level, rather than taking direction from a centra..... more

“New Zealand’s landscape is constantly evolving, and it’s crucial that we understand how,” says Land Information Minister, Chris Penk.

With this in mind, most of New Zealand has now been mapped in 3D, creating a rich dataset for planning economic growth, land management and modelling for risk, and Associate Regional Development.

“For the first time, this information is available as a single, comprehensive national dataset. With 80% of New Zeala..... more