Les Owens is significant figure in New Zealand logging. He cut his teeth in the native logging of the Central North Island, helped in the salvage operation that followed Cyclone Giselle, the 1968 storm in which sank the TEV Wahine, and would go on to be well known as a trainer and assessor.

In 1969 Les was involved in planting the first of the pine plantations within the Lake Taupō Forest. Today, the logging company he and his wife Lovey founded, Te Waa Logging, is harvesting that same forest, and many crews and their families have benefited from the foresight of the elders who were instrumental in the establishment of the forest.

To find out more about Les and his life in forestry, read the full article in the December 2026/January 2027 edition of NZ Logger magazine, on sale from 30 November. Check the link on this page to subscribe to either a printed or digital copy (or both).