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FICA E-newsletter - April 2024

I officially started in my roles as FICA CEO on 2 April 2024. I want to take this opportunity to thank Prue Younger for all the hard work she has done for FICA. FICA is a well-respected industry association and has a seat at the table in many places that make key decisions affecting our industry, our members and sponsors. It has been a busy few weeks visiting a number of major sponsors, being involved in meetings on industry training, hauler guarding, visiting specialist forestry accou...

Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

Many of you may be aware of the changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) | Immigration New Zealand announced last weekend.Immigration NZ is extending an invite to FICA Members to attend a webinar about these changes. We have also included some extra information below about the English test requirement and what FICA is working on in response....

FICA E-newsletter - March 2024

Well, the time has come to say good-bye! My last few weeks are on count down and a busy hand over to my successor Rowan Struthers who will be great to take FICA on to the next stage of its life. I have already been interviewed by the NZ Logger and my last column awaits you all this month in the mail so I won't go over the same ground. Finding something else to reflect on is easy as I am truly not leaving this job dissatisfied, more elated that I have been able to lift it to a good level of ...

Rowan Struthers announced as new Forest Industry Contractors Association CEO

FICA has announced the appointment of Rowan Struthers as its new CEO. An experienced professional who has worked across the forestry sector in various roles including senior leadership and forest management, Rowan will take over the job from departing CEO Prue Younger who finishes up in March.Having graduated from Canterbury University Forestry School, Rowan Struthers has over 30 years of experience working in forestry. He has worked in most facets of the industry including silviculture, woodflo...

FICA E-newsletter - Jan Feb 2024

This is the first newsletter for 2024 and I trust this finds you all back at work, relaxed and rested and ready to hit 2024 head on!It is a bit scary as there is just one more newsletter to go before I step down from my role with FICA. As this first month of the year has almost disappeared, the year looks set to roll on quickly. I am pleased to say those I have spoken to in the industry have already had a good start, eased back into it and safety starts are all done and dusted without a hitch.I ...

FICA E-Newsletter - December 2023

As the last newsletter of 2023 I could not help but reflect on where we are as of today and maybe what lies ahead for a better year in 2024.As it happens, I had to give a brief overview of the industry at our Food and Fibre CoVE earlier in the week and this is how it went. From the political world around us, we had experienced delays prior to elections as around about July Government agencies fell quiet. The election came and went, and we can see another 3 or 4 months with delays as the coa...

New Government Agreements and 100 Day Action Plan

Its official, New Zealand has a new Government. Here you'll find the agreement documents between the National Party, NZ First and Act, as well as the new Governments 100 day action plan. ...

Contract Tree Faller Guide

This is a new protocol / guideline for forestry contractors to use before / when engaging a contract tree faller to work. It is widely accepted that tree falling is a high risk activity. With the increase in mechanisation, and reduced level of manual falling available, the use of contract fallers has increased.There is no set standard when engaging a contract tree faller so this document provides a standard guideline to mitigate business risk and any safety concerns when engaging in this type of...

Forestry and wood processing sector briefing to incoming ministers 2023

There are many reasons why the government should be a strong supporter of the forest and wood processing sector. Such support will generate huge benefits for Aotearoa New Zealand.The forestry and wood processing sector’s Briefing to Incoming Ministers (BIM) is calling for a strategic approach that acknowledges the significance of the forestry sector’s contribution to the economy, and the environment, including climate change mitigat...

FICA E-Newsletter November 2023

The thought of just 6 weeks to Xmas is a slight panic given what's in the diary to complete before then. But, as always, we'll tick off a project at a time and we'll get there. I think everyone is looking to wave the end of 2023 off and get on with a new year, refreshed and prepared, as resilient as we are to move ahead with a positive spring.As we await the incoming government to finalise ministers and policies, it's still business as usual or still a halt on progress in some government agencie...

Prue Younger to retire as FICA CEO in March 2024

After six years at the helm, Forest Industry Contractors Association CEO Prue Younger will retire from her role on 31 March 2024.During her time as FICA’s CEO, Prue has led the organisation through both prosperous and challenging periods for forestry contractors, including the pandemic and significant log market downturns, as well as some highlights like the 2022 FICA Fast and Forward Forestry Expo bringing together various parts of the industry with forestry front and centre.  FICA Chair...

Watch: National Environmental Standards - Commercial Forestry 2023 Webinar

The Government has recently released the changes to the National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry. The implications of these changes are significant and apply from November 3rd 2023. Staff involved in the planning and organisation of all forestry operations need to be aware of these changes.The Government has recently released the changes to the National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry. The implications of these changes are significant and apply from November 3rd 202...

How to Notify WorkSafe – Notifiable Work

WorkSafe has provided this quick 'how to' guide that should assist when you are navigating the WorkSafe Notifiable Incident notification form. WorkSafe have recently changed their notification layout and we are always looking for feedback to make improvements....

Expressions of interest for Trial - ACC Recovery at Work

Businesses involved in forestry, wood processing and log transport are being invited to take part in an ACC Recovery at Work trial.The trial will identify and evaluate initiatives that make a difference to how well people working in these industries recover and return to work after an injury.It will run for six months, from February to August 2024, and if successful, could be rolled out across the wider forestry, wood processing and log transport sectors.If you would like to know more, or would ...

New micro-credential in Forestry mensuration

Muku Tangata is pleased to announce a new project to develop a micro-credential in Forestry mensuration.Through their Forestry qualification development project, Muka Tangata has heard from industry that a micro-credential for log scaling is needed so the industry can access and attain relevant and manageable awards.  This micro-credential will recognise the skills for workers in log scaling and will sit at Level 4 of the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework. Muka ...

Support services coming for forestry businesses in Tairawhiti / Gisborne and Hawkes Bay valued at $577,000

A joint package of support services being delivered between October – December 2023 by the Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA), Safetree and Eastland Wood Council will be available for forestry contractors and kaimahi in Tairawhiti / Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.Funded by the Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI) North Island Weather Event (NIWE) fund, the package includes a range of support services to help businesses build resilience for the future.Support services include, access to a s...

FICA E-news - October 2023

Another month goes by and one more month closer to the end of 2023. For most of us, we won't want to be putting this year into our memory bank. It's been a tough gig and a long road to travel but there will always be some learnings from it.With the confirmation of funding we have put into place two seperate workshops that we hope our industry, members or non-members will pick up in the Tairawhiti and Hawkes Bay regions. Take a day out of your working week and give back to yourself, upskill and s...

Support services coming for forestry businesses in Tairawhiti / Gisborne and Hawkes Bay valued at $577,000

A joint package of support services being delivered between October – December 2023 by FICA, Safetree and Eastland Wood Council will be available for forestry contractors and kaimahi in Tairawhiti / Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.Funded by the Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI) North Island Weather Event (NIWE) fund, the package includes a range of support services to help businesses build resilience for the future.Support services include, access to a specially designed Future Proofing Contractors ...

Waratah - Working around attachments online training

As part of Waratah’s commitment to safety, they have online working around attachments training to help educate your team on the best practices for working safely in the field.Access to the training is free, however the link will only last for 14 days from date of issue. A new link can be provided on request.CLICK HERE to access working around attachments trainingPDF version of this training and other useful documents can be found on the FICA Downloadable Resources page - CLICK HERE...

FICA E-news - September 2023

When I write this newsletter, what's top of mind is the effect of climate change on this world. It's nearly every day there is something monumental happening. The Moroccan earthquake just happened over the weekend and now the discussion about El Nino at the end of the month for NZ which will bring hotter temperatures and high winds from the west and the subsequent very dry spring/summer. For forestry that's a concern with fires being on the top of the list of risks. Much like they have been...

How redundancy payments and retirement allowances are taxed by IRD

Redundancy payments and retirement allowances are taxable income. When your employer pays you, they’ll deduct tax and you’ll get the after-tax amount in your hand.How much tax?Your employer will estimate your income for the year including your redundancy payment or retirement allowance. They will then deduct tax from the payment or allowance at your top tax rate. Once IRD know your actual income for the year, they’ll work out if you have any end-of-year tax to pay, or if you’ll get a ref...

IRD support when you’ve had a significant drop in income

If you’re going through financial difficulty, IRD has options available to help take the pressure off. IRD recommends you have a myIR account because it’s the easiest and most secure way to manage things. Register at ird.govt.nz....

FICA AGM - 6 October 2023

Notice is hereby given that the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Forest Industry Contractors Association will take place as follows:Friday 6 October 2023 from 4:00pm – 6:00pmOnline (ZOOM) / Napier (East Pier Conference Centre, 50 Nelson Quay, Ahuriri, Napier 4110)Please RSVP to FICA CEO Prue Younger by 1 October 2023.One voting delegate (FICA Member Company) needs to register to vote on changes to the FICA Constitution....

FICA E-newsletter - August 2023

The months do fly by and sometimes it is hard to see where we are making any traction. But, reporting back to you all through these newsletters reminds me of the work that FICA is getting through.First, an update around the Forestry Supply Chain – Pan Sector Meeting held on July 26 in Rotorua. This was deemed a success by many that attended, particularly in getting a shared understanding of the problems and opportunities the sector faces in this 15-year crisis. By invitation onl...

New Zealand Institute Of Forestry Foundation Awards 2023

The Trustees of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry Foundation are very pleased to announce the 2023 awards.This year they made four awards. The Chavasse travel award, and three student awards: the University undergraduate, the Mary Sutherland, and the Frank Hutchinson scholarships.The Chavasse travel award goes to Dr Serajis Salekin a scientist working at Scion. Serajis is a scientist specialising in forest modelling. He will use the award to support his travel to the 5th International Congre...