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 only, leaders in the forestry sector came together to discuss the ongoing crisis the industry is currently facing. The industry has some significant things happening beyond any one sector’s control so no-one can stand and point any fingers.
The reason for convening the 'Reality Check Hui' was to tease out everyone’s challenges, allow everyone to have courageous conversations and if possible, find any solutions to relieve the imbalance. At the very least it gave everyone a better understanding of how each sector is influenced or influences those that sit along the supply chain. Collective discussions were had around what change would look like to generate a sustainable operating model that we don’t currently have.
This collective direction setting can better guide decisions for the future and define what can be done more effectively, more efficiently and potentially what can be rationalised or minimised. The solutions that were discussed did accommodate many challenges but the main solution from a majority in the hui, was to harness a new entity with a pan sector membership. What is happening in our world currently has a profound effect on people, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata and will topple communities, which will continue to erode into forestry’s social licence. The industry has this opportunity now to change the way they work together with aspirations to transform instead of just improve.
Work in the space of a training and education entity has progressed with a desire to guide and support the sector to provide strategic and system leadership and stewardship for its future workforce planning and development. PWC were engaged to put together a business case along with some options for models and budgets. Strong themes coming out of the business case were the entity could provide a clear and consistent voice, a one stop shop, be a strong advocate as a collective forestry group and have oversight on education and training with solid relationships across the ROVE organisations and projects - initiatives from the industry.
This has come about as we have identified an uncoordinated approach on a work plan, no clear strategy to support the best for our industry, dulication of efforts and a need for oversight and restoring confidence through rebuidling trust across the system. The entity will be designed to be a centralised hub, take strategic leadership, be an effective advocate and be a mechanism to hold delivery to acccount. Consultation is underway with a number of industry groups to sound this business case agreement.
After 3 years we are pleased to advise the Yarder Tower Inspectors Certification process is near completion. Having undertaken to strenghten the robustness of the certification through CBIP - New Zealand's national certifying body for industrial inspection and Non-Destructive Testing personnel. Inspectors have made that transition to now completing HERA Welding Engineering for Safety Inspections of Cable Logging Yarders, undergoing exams with questions posed around the new and reviewed BPG for Engineering Safety Inspecions of Cable Log Yarders. They are also utilising the Inspection APP specifically designed to work on site without internet and have loaded 234 inspections on our dashboard to date. Given we have a reported 350 towers around the country, this means we are close to now locating them all. The inspectors have access to standard cert plates and will remain supported by yearly workshops through FICA.
As we report in summary around the market referencing the AgriHQ Report, we are always a month behind so the latest lift this month of August has put the CRF price for China A grade upwards $115-$117 per jas m3. Nothing spectacular but it's going in the right direction.
FICA has our AGM coming up 6 October which will be held in Napier and also available online. A call for nominations to Board positions will be going out this week and we have stepped up the formalised process and we welcome anyone keen to be part of this dynamic group to get your form in soon.
Hopefully we will have some news around two projects we have in for significant funding through the North Island Weather Events Funding pool - Future Proofing Contractors and Be a Mate : Hei hoa te Ngahere and be able to get these going well and truly in the next month or so.
Meantime, take any chance to think about your own self care.
“Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
– Eleanor Brown
Be a Mate in Forestry - hei hoe te ngahere
Prue Younger, FICA CEO
