Gisborne District Council (GDC) Mayor (Rehette Stoltz) and her deputy John Wharehinga visited Wayne McEwan’s (Black Stump Logging) during the month. Those that also attended were Blake Spiers, and new FICA members Ricky Kuru, Rodney McIndoe and Arana Kuru. Unfortunately Ian Diak was unable to attend.
The visit was a real success, and both Rehette and Josh engaged well with the members. The members did a really good job getting the key messages across that were raised at the Contractor meeting on 5 September. The site although perhaps not as challenging as some, had all the elements there to demonstrate the lengths that contractors are going to, to mitigate the impact on the environment and keep people safe.
This was the Mayor’s first visit to Forest Operations for four years and the first time she had been hosted by Contractors and engaged directly.
In our meeting on 5 September, one of the concerns expressed at the meeting was that our voice was not being heard. Based on the discussions during the visits this was apparent.
I think the impression Rehette and Josh would have been left with when we dropped them back in town, would be that contractors are professional, we do care, we do understand the problem, we are highly skilled, the stakes are high, there is a high level of investment in technology, we employ a lot of well-paid people and pump a lot of money back into the local economy and that Forestry is sustainable in Tairawhiti.
We need to think about the most effective way for contractor’s voice to be heard, be it through EWC, more directly or a combination of both. As a follow up to the visit, FICA will be meeting with the GDC CEO later this month and there is a likelihood the FICA will be represented on the EWC.
We are not pretending we have everything sorted as a result of the visit, but I believe it is a very good start.
Rehette has been told that there is a standing invitation for her and her Staff to visit anytime. I’m hoping to include a more diverse group of Contractor and Operations next time around, but you need to put your hand up.
Thanks to Wayne McEwan for hosting us and Forest Enterprises for supporting the visit.
Rowan
