A significant fall in forestry injury claims reflect the sector’s sustained improvements in safety performance and injury prevention. Forestry’s injury claims have fallen by around 34% since 2018. ACC has highlighted the Forest Industry Safety Council (FISC) as a strong example of what can be achieved when an industry takes collective responsibility for injury prevention, with co-ordinated, long-term efforts contributing to improved safety outcomes.
FISC Chief Executive Joe Akari says the progress is encouraging, but there is more to do.
“It’s great to know the work the sector is doing is making a real difference. But there are still challenges to face – we can’t slow down now.”
The latest ACC Injuries in New Zealand report shows injuries cost the economy an estimated $8.7 billion in lost productivity in 2025, with more than two million claims lodged annually. Treatment and rehabilitation cost $4.4 billion, while weekly compensation accounted for a further $3.1 billion.
Forestry recorded 141 injuries per 1000 workers in firms employing 100-499 people. Agriculture followed closely with 129 injuries per 1000 workers in firms employing one to five people.
FISC’s analysis of the ACC data shows 107 claims per 1000 workers across all business sizes.
Together, ACC estimates that forestry, agriculture and fishing sectors lost $245million in productivity to injury last year, equivalent to the potential production of 2.1million cubic metres of logs or 41,000 tonnes of milk solids. The construction sector experienced the largest productivity loss, at $422 million.
The data makes a strong commercial case for investment in risk reduction.
ACC Minister Scott Simpson says the Turnaround Plan, released in January, has made promising steps to reduce the strain on ACC.
“Most notably, ACC has successfully re-focused on rehabilitation and the long-term claims pool clients with minor injuries, who were waiting far too long for rehabilitation.”
