Forest Talk

Logging truck and trailer combos are a common sight in many parts of the country. So are empty logging trucks on their way back to the forest, this time with the trailer piggybacking on the truck.  This trailer on truck arrangement is efficient on the road but it also puts enough weight over the drive wheels for the truck to climb back up steep forestry roads to get the next load.

It happens hundreds of times a day. The log loader will unload th..... more

It’s amazing the people you meet in this job, says Iron Test writer, Tim Benseman. Arriving too early at the log port operation in Picton, he goes to the tourist lookout area above the yard to see if there are any good photo opportunities. Sure enough the view there is an impressive display of a large-scale, well-ordered logging industry workplace.

He continues: “It’s only a few minutes before several tourists drive up and are wowed by the spectacula..... more

Some 33 new business partnerships and other commercial outcomes were advanced during Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s Mission to India last month, underlining the considerable potential of India to New Zealand’s exporters and laying the foundation for long-term growth in trade.

Supported by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), the mission made significant progress towards the Government’s goal of developing a broad, deep and enduring strategic ..... more

In what has been called ‘a game-changing move’, Norwegian forestry companies will be the first in the industry to ship timber on zero-emission vessels. This move towards sustainable maritime logistics will begin in 2027 with Viken AT Market and AT Skog. Skarv Shipping will provide vessels powered by ammonia and electricity, significantly reducing emissions compared to conventional diesel-powered ships. 

Norway’s timber industry plays a crucial r..... more

CentrePort has continued to perform strongly across all its business functions, including positively navigating ongoing economic challenges to report an unaudited underlying half year profit of $8.2m, representing a 22% increase on last year’s half year result.

According to CentrePort Board Chair, Lachie Johnstone, the result affirms that the port’s efforts in efficiency customer focus over the past two years have resulted in it delivering on plans f..... more

"Forestry was the only Climate Change initiative that was working  and demonstrably on track to achieve its targets, now stopped in its tracks," said past President of the Forest Owners Association Grant Dodson in June 2023.

He was referring to the collective and combined actions of governments of the time affecting investment, and changes to the ETS.

And the current situation is not good, says Jim Childerstone in this month’s feature on b..... more