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Mike Fraser Logging Celebrates 50 years

Loggers for life, the Fraser family has been working in the bush for five generations, starting with Mike’s Great Grandfather Robin who worked in forestry in Nydia Bay (Marlborough Sounds) around the turn of the 20th Century. Mike’s grandfather Roy and father Don both carried on the family tradition. In 1972, Don and wife Doreen purchased a logging business off Bob Hunt, who Don was working for at the time. “This was the beginning of the Fraser 03 Crew and Fraser Logging,” says Mike. “...

Skilled Professional of the Year - Luke Rosewarne

Luke Rosewarne is the supreme winner of the Northland Forestry Awards 2022. Coming from a forestry family, Luke moved into a different and rather exciting field for a period before returning to his roots. Luke worked for a time in the family business before branching out on his own a few years ago. Competent at most tasks within his operation, whether it be falling, steep slope harvesting, loading or more – Luke has knowledge as to what each task entails, giving the crew an advantage of seeing...

Training Company/Contractor of the Year - Wise on Wood

Wise on Wood is fully committed to ensuring all employees receive ongoing training with a clear career pathway that includes national qualifications. They understand the importance of bringing new people to the industry, so invest heavily in the training of newbies. Their passion is clear to see and output exceptional. Those in the know say the Northland forestry workforce is better for the efforts of Wise on Wood.Congratulations Wise on Wood, training company of the year at the 2022 Northland F...

Trainee of the Year - Troy Wilson

Troy Wilson is the trainee of the Year at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awards. Starting in the industry while still at school, Troy later joined Northpine full time. Capable, hardworking and with highly flexible skills, Troy is also mentoring others who look to follow his lead. He is known as a top operator who is thorough and accurate. He is celebrated for his positive attitude and being an excellent team player at Northpine. Those who know Troy says he has a very bright future ahead. Cong...

Emerging Talent of the Year - Journee Houston

It’s been a rapid ride through the ranks for Journee Houston, winner of the Emerging Talent of the Year award at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awards. Journee is a person who has immense passion for the industry and has followed the footsteps of whānau in her own business. Journee’s fledgling operation is proving a winner in more ways than one. Every task is carried out to the highest of levels by this excellent role model. Congratulations Journee Houston from Mid Northern Forestry Ltd, winne...

Log Truck Driver Excellence - Wayne Thornton

Always willing to help and share his knowledge with others, Wayne Thornton from Aztec FTD is the Log Truck Driver Excellence winner at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awards. In what can sometimes be a rather challenging industry, Wayne is described as a stellar operator. He is very proactive in health and safety, and often called upon to complete forest owner audits where he always gets the highest marks. With an open and friendly communication style and a mature approach to road safety, Wayne is c...

Woman in Forestry Excellence - Kerry Pellegrom

Kerry Pellegrom is the Woman in Forestry Excellence Winner at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awards. Kerry is a woman who continues to impress – whether it be for her knowledge of health and safety, her management of teams, her own upskilling or commitment. She is hugely trusted by those she works for, none the least for her effort to always ensure people head home safely at the end of each day’s work. Kerry is well liked by her peers and forest owners alike who all appreciate her efforts. Cong...

Tree Faller Excellence – Edward (Blue) Llyod

Blue Lloyd (Lloyd Logging) is the Tree Faller Excellence Award Winner at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awards. Known for his professional attitude, Blue always takes pride in his work. Every day he strives to do the best job possible. His gear is always perfectly maintained and ready to go. Blue has been part of some extremely difficult and challenging jobs, which he’s taken in his stride and completed safely and successfully, thanks to his extensive experience. Congratulations Edward (Blue) Ll...

PRESS RELEASE - Forestry contractors want to be included in slash solutions

New Zealand’s forestry contractors are asking to be included when investigating solutions for slash / woody debris.Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) CEO Prue Younger says FICA is keen to support the woody debris enquiry, providing valuable input from the practitioners who work in the forests every day.“Our forestry contractors are physically on the ground and have practical and valuable knowledge about what will be possible and most effective in managing woody debris,” she say...

FICA E-News - March 2023

Firstly, we acknowledge the recent crisis with Cyclone Gabrielle and extend our thoughts to those families and whanau that have been so devastated by this national civil emergency event. To the contractors that are without work, that do not yet have any idea of a return date or to those with exception that may not go back at all. We are all with you and reach out to provide support in any way we can.What's ahead for the next few months is a crystal ball prediction. Reading through our recent mar...

Breaker Out Excellence - Sean Mete

Sean Mete (Rosewarne Cable Loggers) is the Breaker Out Excellence Award winner at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awards.Sean makes no secret of his love of forestry and those he works with.Northland through and through, Sean has been a breaker out for more than a decade. He’s known as a great leader with a strong work ethic and would never let the team down.He’s worked in some challenging conditions in recent years and is generally the one to keep the crew smiling. Sean has been instrumental in...

Wood Processing Excellence - Paul Rupapera

Paul Rupapera (Rosvall Sawmill) is the Wood Processing Excellence Award recipient at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awards. Coming from a logging family, Paul started at the bottom and worked his way right through the ranks. His natural leadership qualities, approach to day-to-day issues and diverse understanding of the industry allows him to be a relatable, culturally aware and knowledgeable leader who connects and encourages employees to want to do better. He has a keen ability to troubleshoot an...

New Forestry Apprenticeship Underway

Competenz Te Pūkenga is set to launch a new forestry programme — New Zealand Apprenticeship in Silviculture in the second quarter of 2023. The purpose of this programme is to equip the forestry industry with individuals who have the skills and knowledge required to be employed in a commercial forestry operation in a silviculture role, and contribute to operational planning. They will have decision-making abilities in silviculture. Graduates will be able to work autonomously and be r...

CNIWC partner with Timberlands Ltd for new Generation Programme

A partnership Generation Programme with Central North Island Wood Council (CNIWC) and 'Timberlands Ltd' is starting on Monday 13 March at the Toi Ohomai Institute NZ Waipa campus in Rotorua.Timberlands Ltd has recently developed and endorsed seven strategic Restorative Development Goals with 35 x 2050 targets. This includes - 'by 2050 we will........ have an employment pathway where people from disadvantaged local communities become engaged in all facets of our workforce...

Training still a priority after end of TTAF

The Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) that supported learners to undertake vocational education and training without fees ended on 31 December 2022. Now, any fees relating to training are covered by the learner and/or their employer.The decision to end fees-free has huge ramifications for industry. While the so called ‘glory days’ of funding are over, it’s nothing we haven’t done before, as prior to TTAF, training was simply a cost of doing business.Ultimately, we nee...

Support for businesses - contractor business qualify under several of the criteria

Support for businesses affected by Cyclone Gabrielle has been announced by the government in the form of grants up to the value of $40k. "This includes those that have been impacted due to barriers to customer access, ability to source stock, supply chain issues, inability to operate as usual due to physical damage to equipment or premises, or delays in insurance assessment and repairs," said Grant Robertson.Check in with your most appropriate agency that are distributing these funds.The agencie...

PRESS RELEASE - Forestry contractors chipping in to help with Cyclone clean-up

New Zealand’s forestry contractors are mucking in to help clean up post Cyclone Gabrielle while unable to get back to work as normal.Some forestry contractors affected by Cyclone Gabrielle remain unable to get back to work, reliant on landowners to grant re-entry to the forests. While roading accessibility and safety remain key concerns, forestry contractors still have bills to pay and staff to retain until they know when they can go back to work or not.Forest Industry Contractors Association ...

Repost - Recovery visa available to offshore workers for response projects

To assist with recovery the Government has announced the launch of the Recovery Visa (a Specific Purpose Work Visa). This short-term visa will allow employers to sponsor migrants to come to New Zealand to work on the emergency response.The full picture of labour demand is still emerging but we need specialists from overseas such as engineers, technicians and insurance assessors to support our New Zealand experts on the ground.This visa is intended for people coming to New Zealand for a short per...

Repost - Waka Kotahi Traffic and Roading Updates

If you're travelling, you can plan your trip with travel time information, traffic cameras, and updates on delays, roadworks and road closures.CLICK HERE TO VIEW WAKA KOTAHI LIVE TRAFFIC MAP...

Repost - Floods: Employment guidance and support

What you need to know if you’ve been affected by the floods. During and after a disaster or emergency, the health, safety and security of people should be the main concern of all employers and employees.Pay and leaveGenerally, if the situation is not covered within an employment agreement or workplace policy, an employer is required to pay an employee who is ready, willing, and able to work.If the workplace cannot be accessed, is closed, or is open but the employee is unable to work, empl...

Repost - Cyclone Gabrielle: Forestry workers’ union to discuss support plan with ministry

The union representing forestry workers will meet with the Ministry of Social Development on Thursday to develop a support plan for the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery.First Union assistant general secretary Louisa Jones said nearly 500 workers were unable to work in areas which remained inaccessible or unstable.She hoped the meeting would form the basis of a plan to help contractors until work could resume.“On the coast, everybody has lost their jobs. The roads aren’t safe to get to the work, an...

Repost - Some in forestry sector 'won't recover' from Cyclone Gabrielle

Forestry jobs are almost certain to be lost after Cyclone Gabrielle smashed a swathe through Tairāwhiti, Hawkes Bay, Coromandel and Northland regions – almost 30 per cent of the country’s forestry plantation.According to Forest Industry Contractors Association chief Prue Younger, who lives in Napier, while it’s too early to assess the full extent of the damage to the sector, there will be job losses.“Some contractors will have lost their livelihoods this week,” she said.“Many are al...

Repost - Government announces cyclone recovery taskforce, $50m support package, new ministerial role

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced a $50 million support package to provide immediate relief for businesses hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, as well as the extension of the national state of emergency, a new cyclone recovery taskforce and related ministerial role.The full extent of the cyclone damage is becoming clearer as transport, power and telecommunications connections are re-established."Ministers will finalise the distribution of this funding in the comin...

PRESS RELEASE - Fears for forestry contractor livelihoods following Cyclone Gabrielle

New Zealand’s forestry contractors in the Tairawhiti, Hawkes Bay, Coromandel and Northland regions are facing immense pressure and compounding challenges post-cyclone Gabrielle. Planted forest in these combined regions makes up almost 30% of the national forestry plantation.  While the full extent of damage to the forestry industry is still being assessed, reports of forestry contractors being under immense pressure are starting to come in.Forest Industry Contractors Association CEO Prue ...

Cyclone State of Play Survey

We need your feedback - we also want to support all contractors not just FICA members at this time - important to put a whole of industry hat on this support. Given the current catastrophic weather emergency in Northland, Tairawhiti/Gisborne and Hawkes Bay – FICA is very keen to get as much information back about the current state of the nation on individual contractors who were working within these areas and this will escalate the support, we are able to seek from government and other ag...