Forest Talk

In a landmark acquisition, forestry and sawmill business, OneFortyOne, has taken ownership of the former New Forests-managed Limestone Coast plantation forestry estate. This marks a significant milestone in Australian forestry investment. 

OneFortyOne CEO, Wendy Norris, says the acquisition represents the first investment in forestry of this scale by an Australian company, in the past decade.  

“We are thrilled to expand our Green Tri..... more

In an unpleasant surprise for the freight industry, Auckland Council-owned Port of Auckland has announced that Port access charges for road transport operators in 2026 will be increased by 77%.

“The Port’s previously announced 35% increase for 2026 charges has already been baked in by port customers and transport operators, so a doubling in that planned increase has been a bitter pill to swallow,” says Justin Tighe-Umbers, Chief Executive of the Nati..... more

When our Iron Test team arrives at A&R Logging’s Patutahi swing yarder operation, the recently upgraded i.Log Madill 124 is pulling logs downhill. The team is testing two machines – the Madill upgraded by i.Log and Shaw’s and A&R Logging’s new 40-tonne Sany SY415HGW Pro running a Woodsman Pro 850 processor.

Iron Test writer, Tim Benseman, continues: “I don’t know a heck of a lot about yarders, being a shovel logger, but I do know if you’re going to h..... more

Forestry is at a crossroads in Gisborne as declining contractors, economic challenges and environmental scrutiny threaten the lifeline of this vital industry, says writer, Sophie Rishworth.

Five years ago, there were 22 towers in the region - 70 foot machines that get logs up hills. Today, only eight are left.

Three years ago, there were 118 forestry contractors (who employed teams) working in this region. Today, 36 are left.

The pandemic..... more

Swire Shipping, a leading shipping company in the Asia-Pacific, has switched three of its vessels serving the South Pacific to B24 and B30 second generation biofuel blends. The voluntary move supports Swire Shipping’s long-term sustainability ambitions and will provide more options to customers looking to reduce their emissions.

The three vessels involved in the biofuel programme are Apia Chief and Tonga Chief on..... more

The fallout from recent heavy rain in Mid Canterbury could land in the vicinity of $150,000. Around 150mm of rain fell in the district over two days, causing surface flooding issues.

On the local roads, Ashburton District Council Infrastructure and Open Spaces General Manager, Neil McCann, says the early estimate to repair the damage is $100,000-$150,000.

“The roading team and our maintenance contractor HEB photographed about 350 locations and ..... more