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Mike King’s Depression Tips

Mike King is one of New Zealand's most recognised mental health advocates and the founder of the I Am Hope Foundation and Gumboot Friday. A former top NZ comedian turned campaigner, he has had well-publicised bouts of depression and is a self-confessed former alcoholic and drug addict.Known for his work as a prominent mental health educator, he’s spent years on the road talking to schools, workplaces and communities, including forestry startups, about mental wellbeing, suicide prevention and t...

Top 5 Contract Clauses for Forestry Contractors

The principles of the Business Management of Logging (BMOL) guide is "to maintain productivity, financial health and goodwill in the industry. All parties involved in setting contract rates should be willing to arrive at a fair rate and have the understanding and knowledge to do so." Here are the top five clauses forestry contractors should try to negotiate into a forestry contract. Annual Rate ReviewInclude a formal review of contract rates at least once a year.Rates sh...

Membership Profiling Project – Introducing Jackson Ashby

Back in March this year, FICA launched our Membership Profiling Project and asked members to complete a short information update template to help improve the quality of information held in our membership database. Many members have already responded, and we would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to contribute.To effectively represent and advocate for forest contractors, we need a better understanding of who our members are, where they operate, the services they provide, and the scal...

Never Waste a Good Crisis: Productivity Lessons from the FICA-U of Cant Workshop Series

Over the past several months, FICA, in partnership with the University of Canterbury's Forestry School, has delivered a series of productivity workshops in Rotorua, Nelson and Balclutha, culminating in a post-HarvestTech workshop on 11 November.The workshops were established to address one of the forestry sector's most important challenges: how to improve productivity while maintaining the industry's strong focus on safety, sustainability and business viability. A recurring theme throughout...

Million-Dollar Machines: Are Current Depreciation Rates Fit for Purpose?

Modern forestry harvesting is increasingly reliant on highly specialised, high-value equipment. A new feller buncher can now cost well over $1.5 million, making it one of the largest investments many contractors will ever make.As machine costs continue to rise, FICA is asking an important question: do current depreciation rates accurately reflect how these machines lose value in the real world?Many modern feller bunchers are purpose-built machines operating in demanding environments, often on st...

Woodsman Pro File Transfer System

The Loggic control systems provided with Woodsman Pro products includes a file transfer system, removing the need for a third-party product.This function leverages Starlink®, cellular, or wireless (Wi-Fi) networks, giving owners and contractors the ability to automatically receive production information via e-mail and/or other production reporting platforms....

Improving Tether Rope Safety

A FICA member approached us with concerns about the inspection, maintenance and replacement of tether ropes and associated rigging used in winch-assisted harvesting operations. While recent rope failures had not resulted in serious injury, they highlighted the potentially severe consequences that can arise when safety-critical components fail.Rather than treating this as an isolated issue, FICA brought together a small working group comprising harvesting contractors, equipment manufacturers, wir...

The Commerce Act: What Every Forestry Contractor Needs to Know

Most forestry contractors understand the importance of competing hard for work, delivering value, and building strong relationships with clients. However, there is a line between healthy competition and behaviour that can breach New Zealand's Commerce Act.The Commerce Act exists to promote fair competition and protect businesses and consumers. While many contractors may think the law only applies to large corporations, it applies equally to small businesses and contractors.What You Can DoContrac...

Rate Reviews

It's encouraging to see more forest owners and managers offering longer-term contracts. Greater certainty helps contractors invest in machinery, train staff, and build stronger businesses.However, a three- or five-year contract without any rate review can leave contractors significantly worse off over time.Labour costs, fuel, insurance, compliance, parts and maintenance costs don't stand still. Yet many contracts still lock rates in place for years. When that happens, contractors end up absorbin...

Market Update - November 2026

There is a noticeably more positive tone emerging across export log markets as we move through the final quarter of 2026. While global headlines continue to create uncertainty, particularly around geopolitical tensions and slowing international growth, the underlying fundamentals supporting New Zealand forestry remain reasonably solid.The most encouraging sign for the sector is continued demand from China. Softwood log inventories have fallen from approximately 2.5 million cubic metres in Octobe...

Competenz appoints Mandie Skipps as Head of Forestry

Competenz is pleased to announce the appointment of Mandie Skipps as Head of Forestry, bringing a strong combination of forestry industry experience, commercial leadership and a passion for workforce development.Mandie has been involved in forestry since 2007 through family-owned contracting business Skipps Logging, where she has worked across business operations, commercial planning, people development, health and safety and workforce capability. She is also a member of the FICA board.Prior to ...

FICA E-newsletter - October 2026

What has FICA delivered for members this month? Contractor capability building: Workshop with Garth Beker focusing on finance, sustainability and succession issues FSC Living Wage clarity: Helping contractors and forest managers understand their obligations and reduce compliance uncertaintyTairāwhiti contractor advocacy: key meeting between contractors and foresty Minister Todd McClay 12 October CFG forest manager transition support for contractors: helping maintain dialogue...

Forestry Gets Broad Political Support Ahead of Election

With the election campaign beginning to take shape, the NZFOA Election Year Forestry Panel provided a valuable opportunity to hear directly from political parties on the future of forestry in New Zealand. The panel brought together representatives from across the political spectrum, including Todd McClay, Mark Patterson, Simon Court, Cushla Tangaere-Manuel and Steve Abel to discuss issues ranging from land use and environmental regulation through to wood processing, infrastructure, workforce dev...

Advocacy Starts With a Conversation

Sometimes the most important advocacy opportunities are the ones we don't plan.Over the past few months, forestry contractors in Tairāwhiti have played an active role in discussions with Government, regulators and review panels about the future of forestry in the region. Through FICA's engagement with the Independent Assurance Review led by Hon Chris Finlayson KC, contractors had the opportunity to speak directly about the realities of operating on the ground, including the need for practical r...

Silviculture Takes Centre Stage at the NWC Forestry Awards

FICA is delighted to congratulate Joel Neumann-Niha and the team at Niha Contracting Ltd on winning the Northland Wood Council (NWC) Crew of the Year Award. Their success is particularly pleasing because it highlights a part of the industry that often works out of the spotlight. While harvesting crews are frequently the public face of forestry operations, silviculture crews are the foundation of the future forest.Based in the Pipiwai area of Whangārei, Niha Contracting Ltd has built a strong re...

Tower Modifications: Have Your Say on Proposed Changes to the Yarder Inspection Best Practice Guide

When a cable yarder has been operating for 20, 30 or even 40 years, modifications are inevitable. Engines are repowered, control systems upgraded, brakes replaced, hydraulics improved and, occasionally, structural changes are made. The question is not whether modifications will occur, but how we ensure they are undertaken safely, consistently and with appropriate oversight.That issue was one of the key topics discussed at the recent Forestry Tower Inspectors Workshop, attended by almost every ac...

Market Update - October 2026

October has delivered some welcome improvement for the forestry sector. Export log prices lifted during the month, supported by a weaker New Zealand dollar, improving Chinese manufacturing activity, and healthy log demand through Chinese ports.For contractors, the key message is that harvest activity remains strong, with national harvest volumes running ahead of last year. This should help support work programmes as we move into the summer season.However, profitability remains under pressure. Fu...

Safety, Productivity and Procurement: The Message Forestry Can't Ignore

Released in September, the State of a Thriving Nation 2025 report from the Business Leaders' Health and Safety Forum provides some timely lessons for New Zealand forestry. The Forum represents more than 440 business and government leaders and publishes the report annually to assess New Zealand's health, safety and wellbeing performance. Forestry is identified as one of New Zealand's highest-risk industries, but the report's most important message is not that we need more compliance. Instead, it ...

HarvestTECH 2026: Extra Value for FICA Members

FICA members can now access an extended Early Bird discount for HarvestTECH 2026 (inc. Wood Transport & Logistics).HarvestTECH remains one of the industry's premier events, bringing together harvesting, transport, logistics and forestry leaders to explore practical solutions for improving productivity, safety and business performance.To build on these discussions, FICA will host a Productivity Workshop on 11 November following the conference. The workshop continues the work developed through...

Contractors Join Ministerial Forestry Lunch in Tairawhiti

A number of FICA contractor members were invited to attend an industry lunch with Minister McClay in Gisborne on 12 October. The event was hosted by the Eastland Wood Council, bringing together industry leaders to provide an update on the forestry sector in Tairāwhiti and discuss key issues affecting the region.While FICA is not a member of the Eastland Wood Council, the invitation reflected the strong working relationship between the two organisations and the important role contractors play in...

Who's Paying for the FSC Living Wage Increase?

On 1 September, the Living Wage increased to $29.90 per hour.If you're an FSC-certified forest manager or contractor engaged by an FSC-certified forest manager, that's not just a wage increase. It's an FSC compliance issue.Many people assume Living Wage compliance is the contractor's responsibility.It's not.FSC requires workers to be paid the Living Wage (or a recognised industry wage agreement), requires Living Wage costs to be built into contract pricing, and requires organisations to verify c...

Neutral territory, invaluable insight

An exclusive one-day FICA workshop designed specifically for forestry contractors brought together a combined industry experience of over 150 years in Taupo recently.Facilitated by Garth Beker (BFA), other speakers included Paul Gwynn (CrediFlex), Mike Fraser (Fraser Logging) and Ken Holmes.The session which involved 10 contracting businesses, was about stepping away from the day-to-day, and challenging how each contractor currently thinks about their business, their goals and what they want the...

FICA Logger Mag - October 2026

Want to listen to our FICA Logger Mag updates instead of reading them? Here's how:1. Update your settings (phones / tablets) or install this free audio reader extension (desktop / laptop):a. iPhone: To use the built-in text-to-speech feature on your iPhone, go to:Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content and enable "Speak Selection" or "Speak Screen" to have the iPhone read selected text or the entire screen aloud, respectively.b. Samsung: To activate and customize the text-to-sp...

FICA E-newsletter - September 2026

What has FICA delivered this month? WOMEN IN FORESTRY – BUILDING STRONGER CONNECTIONSFICA supported the Women in Forestry event in Nelson, bringing people together from Northland, Tairāwhiti, Central North Island, Canterbury and Nelson/Tasman.The event created an opportunity to connect, share ideas and see firsthand how forest owners and contractors are working together following the Tasman windthrow events.Stronger networks across the people supporting forestry businesses help improve capabi...

Looking After the People Behind the Business

One of the more unexpected findings from FICA's 2026 Financial Health Survey was the level of interest in wellbeing and mental health support. 40% of respondents said they would be interested in wellbeing initiatives, while a further 27% said they might be interested. Combined, that means more than two-thirds of respondents are open to some form of support.At first glance, this result may seem surprising. In previous FICA member surveys, mental health and wellbeing have generally ranked below ot...