Northland Forestry Awards 2021

CONGRATULATIONS

JAMES WILSON

ROSEWARNE CONTRACTORS

NORTHLAND FORESTRY AWARDS

SKILLED PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR 2021

Future of Forestry

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Strong entries at virtual forestry awards D The awards were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID and in 2021 were postponed and then moved to a virtual platform, with comedian Jeremy Corbett hosting the online event on Friday December 3. The awards were established in 2016 and are a true celebration of a key industry that makes an impressive economic contribution to the region.

Andrew Widdowson, chair of the Northland Health and Safety Group and Wood Council thanked the 2021 judges for their time.

“This is a really fantastic judging panel,” he said. “It is such an important element to the whole forestry awards model and programme.”

iversity, strength and professionalism all came to the fore in the 2021 Northland Forestry Awards which saw a very colourful James Wilson walk off with the top award as the Skilled Professional of the Year.

James, a breaker out for Rosewarne Contracting who is better known as JDubb Yo who loves nothing more than to spread positive vibes through the industry, also won the Breaker Out Excellence Award. He was a unanimous choice from judges Nick Jessop, Brett Gilmore and Mandie Skipps who were impressed with the calibre shown amongst a solid number of nominations this year.

Judges described James as an “amazing professional bushman” who was humble with an incredibly high work standard and someone who was always focused on health and safety. He had done plenty of good for the wider industry and had led his team through some of the toughest country in Northland keeping them all safe and morale high.

He had initially contemplated a career as an engineer but soon changed his mind and followed in the footsteps of his father into forestry.

It was a great award for Rosewarne Contracting with Scott Ringrose also winning the Harvesting Excellence crown with the other awards well spread across the region.

Judges were excited to see an exceptional number of wood processing nominations and tipped their hats to the women in forestry, saying some had to overcome a few extra challenges to do their job.

Leevon (Libby) Popata from Mold Logging Ltd won the hotly contested category. Libby was described as a woman with a real “cando” attitude who balanced a busy home life with her work. From modest beginnings, she has achieved notable success through hard work and training. As a foreman on a high production ground-based harvesting crew, Libby has transformed the culture within. Those who work with her say she has reignited the fun in their work.

The Sullivan Family from Forest Protection Services won the Forestry Family of the Year Award. They are celebrated as a family whose strong desire to do things differently has been the driver behind their success in the industry. They have faced many a challenge that has seen the

family become even more committed to the industry with the second generation now well entrenched in the business. Family is at the heart of this business and those who have hired the company describe them as “just amazing”. Forestry Protection Services also won the Contractor of the Year Award.

Judges also said how great it was to see high performing operators being mentors who would only strengthen the industry for the future.

Northpine also put up their educational scholarship once more and the recipient Hayden Bartlett from Bream m Bay Bay College was successfully awarded, setting him up with funding to study the Bachelor of Forestry Science programme at UC.

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A note from our judges T he three judges for the Awards were led by Brett Gilmore, Forestry Consultant returning to the judging team from previous awards. He was joined by Mandie Skipps, director of Skipps Logging and Nik Jessop, Health & Safety Inspector for Worksafe. In Brett’s summation of the awards on the virtual show, he thanked all the nominators and nominees for the time and energy they had put into the nominations. The judges were humbled by the professionalism and dedication to the work of all nominees.

“We are grateful to have the opportunity to see the contribution every one of you is doing for the wellbeing of your fellow workers, your whanau, and yourselves.” Remarked Brett “The awards embody the following Whakatauāki from Sir James Hēnare “Kua tawhiti kē tō haerenga mai kia kore e haere tonu.

He nui rawa ō mahi kia kore e mahi tonu." you have come too far not to go further; you have done too much not to do more.

It’s been an honour and privilege to see this in all the nominees. “ Brett commented that being judges was not easy, and they gave each nomination the time and respect it deserved.

As the night went on at the virtual awards Friday 3 December, everyone got the chance to celebrate with the nominees, and the award winners, on their outstanding achievements.

Ngā mihi ki a koutou me o koutou whanau.

Nō reira Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

■ Brett Gilmore, Forestry Consultant; Mandie Skipps, director of Skipps Logging; Nik Jessop, Health & Safety Inspector.

Award winners 2021 Congratulations • Trainee of the Year (sponsored by Competenz): Jordan Whitehead (Rosvall Sawmill) • Training Company/Contractor of the Year (sponsored by UDC): Anthony (Shorty) Murray (FNR Forestry 2019 Ltd) • Forestry Excellence (sponsored by Northland Forest Managers): Phil Cornelius (CPC Fencing Ltd) • Roading Excellence (sponsored by Fortuna): Robert Schrafft (JSB Construction) • Harvesting Excellence (sponsored by AB Equipment - Tigercat): Scott Ringrose (Rosewarne Contractors) • Distribution Excellence (sponsored by Pacific Motor Group): Andrew Ward (C3 Ltd) • Wood Processing Excellence (sponsored by Whangarei ITM): Ed Wilson (Northpine) • Breaker Out Excellence (sponsored by Terra Cat): James Wilson (Rosewarne Contractors) • Tree Faller Excellence (sponsored by Hancock Forest Management): Gary Wickman (Wickman Contracting) • Woman in Forestry Excellence (sponsored by PF Olsen): Leevon (Libby) Popata (Mold Logging Ltd) • Log Truck Driver Excellence (sponsored by the Patchell Group of Companies): Reece Mist (Mike Lambert Ltd) • Emerging Talent of the Year (sponsored

by North Tech Tai Tokerau Wananga): Dan Kawana Pool (Rosewarne Logging)

MONEY

DOES GROW ON TREES

• Forestry Family of the Year (sponsored by Northern Forest Products): The Sullivan Family (Forest Protection Services) • Contractor of the Year (sponsored by ISO Ltd): FPS Forestry • Outstanding Health and Safety Management (sponsored by Summit Forests): Daron Turner (Despatch NZ Ltd) and Grimmer Contracting Ltd • Outstanding Environmental Management (sponsored by Wise on Wood): Peter DaviesColley (The Tree People Ltd)

to all 2021 nominees Nominee

Business

Nominee

Business

Alfred Preuss

FNR Forestry 2019 Ltd

Journee Houston

FPS Forestry Ltd

Andrew Ward

C3 Limited

Kim Kire

JSB Construction

Anthony (Shorty) Murray

FNR Forestry 2019 Ltd

Leevon (Libby) Popata

Mold Logging Limited

Brendon Johnson

Rosewarne Contractors

Cameron Macrae

Rosewarne Contractors

Dan Kawana Pool

Rosewarne Logging

Daniel Horan

Waipapa Pine Ltd

Daron Turner

Despatch.NZ Ltd

• SPONSORS 2021 Gold Sponsors: Northland Forestry H&S Group, Summit Forests NZ Ltd, Woodbank, Northern Forest Products Ltd, ISO, Wise on Wood

Doug Clark

Mangonui Haulage Ltd.

Dylan Read

JSB Construction

Edward Wilson EF Hansen

• Silver Sponsors: AB Equipment -Tigercat, Hancock Forest Management, Fortuna, Northland Forest Managers, Terra Cat, Competenz, Pacific Motor Group, UDC, Patchell, Finance NZ, WIDE Trust, NorthTec, Te Uru Rakau – NZ Forest Service, P F Olsen, C3, ITM Whangarei/Bay of Islands • Bronze Sponsors: Shaws, Trimble Forestry, Rayonier – Matariki, NZ Forestry Ltd, NZ Safety Blackwoods, Northpine, NZME, Deals on Wheels, FICA, Quest Hotel

John Tappatoutai

Wise on Wood Ltd

Jordan Whitehead

Rosvall Sawmill

Skilled Professional of the Year (sponsored by Northland Forestry Health and Safety Group): James Wilson (Rosewarne Contractors)

Luke Rosewarne

Rosewarne Yarding Ltd

Mold Logging Crew 7

Mold Logging Limited

Northpine Ltd

Northpine Ltd

Peter Davies-Colley

The Tree People ltd

Phil Cornelius

CPC Fencing Limited

Reece Mist

Mike Lambert Ltd

Robert Grimmett

Topuni Contracting Limited

Northpine Ltd

Robert Schrafft

JSB Construction

EF Hansen

Scott Ringrose

Rosewarne Contractors

Far North Roading

Far North Roading

Sharif Mangu

FPS Forestry Ltd

FPS Forestry Ltd

FPS Forestry Ltd

Shefali Kataria

Juken

Gary Wickman

Wickman Contracting

Stan Houston

The Tree People ltd

Grimmer Contracting Limited

Grimmer Contracting Limited

Sullivan Family

Forest Protection Services

James Wilson

Rosewarne Contractors

Tracey Gent

Joel Niha

Niha Contracting

Grimmer Contracting Limited

Vernicia Kelleher

Waipapa Pine Ltd

Wise on Wood Ltd

Wise on Wood Ltd

Woodbank has a proven track record of generating the best returns for your forest or woodlot.

We offer the following harvesting and marketing methods

• Managed forest sales • Pay as cut stumpage sales • Log grade sales • Open book management contracts • Lump sum purchases • Health, safety and environmental tailored management • Members of NZ Institute of Forestry

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Darrin@woodbank.co.nz | www.woodbank.co.nz

TRAINEE

OF THE YEAR

TRAINING COMPANY/CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR

2021 WINNERS

congratulations to you all...

FORESTRY EXCELLENCE

PHIL CORNELIUS

JORDON WHITEHEAD

ANTHONY (SHORTY) MURRAY

ROSVALL SAWMILL

FNR FORESTRY 2019 LTD

ROADING

HARVESTING

EXCELLENCE

ROBERT SCHRAFFT

EXCELLENCE

SCOTT RINGROSE

CPC FENCING LIMITED

JSB CONSTRUCTION

ROSEWARNE CONTRACTORS

DISTRIBUTION

WOOD PROCESSING

BREAKER OUT

EXCELLENCE

ANDREW WARD

EXCELLENCE

EDWARD WILSON

EXCELLENCE

JAMES WILSON

C3 LIMITED

NORTHPINE LTD

ROSEWARNE CONTRACTORS

TREE FALLER

WOMAN IN FORESTRY

LOG TRUCK DRIVER

EXCELLENCE

GARY WICKMAN WICKMAN CONTRACTING

EXCELLENCE

LEEVON (LIBBY) POPATA MOLD LOGGING LIMITED

EXCELLENCE

REECE MIST MIKE LAMBERT LTD

EMERGING TALENT OF THE YEAR

DAN KAWANA POOL ROSEWARNE LOGGING

FORESTRY FAMILY OF THE YEAR

SULLIVAN FAMILY

CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR

FPS FORESTRY LTD

FOREST PROTECTION SERVICES

OUTSTANDING HEALTH & SAFETY OUTSTANDING HEALTH & SAFETY OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL

MANAGEMENT

DARON TURNER DESPATCH NZ LTD

MANAGEMENT

GRIMMER CONTRACTING LTD

MANAGEMENT

PETER DAVIES-COLLEY THE TREE PEOPLE LTD

SKILLED PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

JAMES WILSON ROSEWARNE CONTRACTORS This award recognises an individual for leading in their field of expertise, demonstrating excellence in professional skills, attitude & attributes recognised by their peers and employers and of genuine good character.

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Meet our 2021 N Jordan Whitehead :

Trainee of the Year (sponsored by Competenz) As winner of the Trainee of the Year Award Jordan is someone who quickly showed they had just the quality of workmanship their employer was looking for which led to an apprenticeship. He is a person who has stepped up to their role and applied themselves in every possible way for the good of those around them. His employer see Jordan as an “absolute asset” to the processing industry with abilities that already see them ranked up amongst the best.

Judges were unanimous in awarding Jordan Whitehead from Rosvall Sawmill the Trainee of the Year Award.

Anthony Murray :

Training Company/Contractor of the Year (sponsored by UDC) Those who know Anthony (Shorty) say he is nothing short of a legend. With more than three decades in the industry he is considered a hugely knowledgeable and experienced employee. Shorty is an integral part of a team who has a passion for all aspects of forestry which shines through with his teaching style and leadership skills. He takes pride in teaching new and up-and-comers correct technique and proper knowledge to ensure a high quality work out put in a safe manner. Judges noted that Shorty always goes that extra mile and is just the type of person you want around when pushing for good change within the industry.

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Congratulations Anthony (Shorty) Murray from FNR Forestry 2019 Ltd.

Phil Cornelius :

Forestry Excellence (sponsored by Northland Forest Managers) This was a very big category and judges faced the challenge of putting people side by side who worked in very different areas of the industry and in the end, the winner was described as a shining light that isn’t always recognised.

Phil started their business, CPC Fencing Limited 25 years ago and since then has worked on all manner of contracts including some that span many months. Their company now has nearly 20 staff split into five crews and they have continually invested in equipment that can only benefit the forestry industry. Phil is known as someone with a tonne of can-do attitude and enthusiasm. He has successfully evolved their systems from the requirements of one sector to those that satisfy the scrutiny of modern forestry.

Congratulations Phil Cornelius from CPC Fencing Ltd.

Robert Schrafft :

Roading Excellence (sponsored by Fortuna) The star of the Roading Excellence category, Robert Schrafft has a wealth of experience that combined with a vast knowledge mean they often identify a problem area or spot issues in the roading network and organize repairs before they fail, saving both time and money for clients.

Robert has an easy-going attitude, a no-nonsense approach, is passionate about the industry and always strive to achieve the best outcome for the company and its clients. He also has the respect of his fellow workers and is a hugely valued, respected and trusted employee.

Congratulations Robert Schrafft from JSB Construction.

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21 NFA winners Scott Ringrose :

Harvesting Excellence (sponsored by AB Equipment) It’s no surprise Scott is a stand-out, given just how early he entered the industry. He entered as a teen, starting on the skid before moving to full time manual falling and processing for a ground-based crew. His employer says Scott’s work is always to the highest standard. Scott’s been at the forefront of new innovation and instrumental in helping to develop safe operating procedures, toolbox books and maintenance procedures for steep slope machines.

He is highly sought after for their expertise too and Scott is conscious about the environment and always takes a lot of effort to do things right. He is now again at the cutting edge of the company’s operations – an obvious choice thanks to Scott’s strength of thinking outside the box.

Congratulations Scott Ringrose from Rosewarne Contractors.

Andrew Wilson :

Distribution Excellence (sponsored by PMG – Pacific Motor Group) Andrew stepped seamlessly into a new role and with dedication, trustworthiness, and reliability quickly shone. With a friendly easy-going disposition Andrew is popular with other workers and is known as one who quickly aligns with new methodology and procedures and ensured those around them always have safety to the fore. The company say he excels with a high attention to health and safety, so much so that other organisations have sent staff to be trained by Andrew. Judges found it a challenging category to judge but felt Andrew Wilson from C3 Ltd was a very worthy winner. Congratulations Andrew.

Ed Wilson :

Gary Wickman :

foreman in the switch to a digital health and safety system. Dan leads by example, communicate well, and has a high-quality work output.

Those who nominated Gary say it was a nobrainer, describing him as having work ethic and professionalism that is second to none. Consistency is his middle name, and his work is of the highest quality. Gary is known as one who tries their hardest to place the trees into the best possible position for the next phase – be that breaker outs or mechanised shove. Gary’s communication is exemplary, and judges described the job as one that will always be very important, and high risk, bringing skills that will be valued more and more as mechanisation comes in.

Congratulations Dan Kawana Pool from Rosewarne Logging.

Tree Faller Excellence (sponsored by Hancock Forest Management)

Congratulations Gary Wickman from Wickman Contracting.

Leevon (Libby) Popata :

Woman in Forestry Excellence (sponsored by PF Olsen) Judges praised the quality of entries in the Woman in Forestry Excellence category and really had to delve down to find a single winner. The winner, Leevon Popata is a woman with a real “can-do” attitude who balances a very busy home life with her work. Leevon strives to always be the best can in what is typically a male-dominated industry. From modest beginnings, she has achieved notable success through hard work and training and as a foreman on a high production ground-based harvesting crew, she has transformed the culture within. Those who work with Leevon say she has reignited the fun in their work.

Their meetings are now structured, inclusive and documented well. Leevon is well-respected by her crew and her employers.

Wood Processing Excellence (sponsored by Whangarei ITM)

Congratulations Leevon Popata from Mold Logging Ltd.

This was a hotly-contested category this campaign.

The winner, Ed Wilson after much discussion, is a person who started at the green table and worked his way up. Ed learnt how to operate all the machine centres, stepping up to new positions and gaining new qualifications over the years. He is very active within the company, helping the site health and safety committee with audits and the development of safe working practices, alongside emergency planning. Ed is both a trainer and assessor for the business. The employers note how impressive the growth and development shown by Ed is. He has a thirst for knowledge and a strong desire to better themselves and to continue to learn. Congratulations Ed Wilson from Northpine.

Reece Mist :

James Wilson :

Breaker Out Excellence (sponsored by Terra Cat) James Wilson, winner of the Breaker Out Excellence Award is from a family of forest workers and James was introduced to the bush as a teen and never looked back. Judges described him as an amazing professional bushman, known to be diligent with a keen eye to health and safety, humble, one who sets a high standard and who walks their talk.

Felling trees has always been his passion.

Congratulations James Wilson from Rosewarne Contractors.

Log Truck Driver Excellence (sponsored by the Patchell Group of Companies) Reece is a person who has very quickly shone as the company’s most consistent, reliable, and productive driver in the fleet. In nominating him, the company described Reece as all they look for in a driver and he is young, consistently the most productive operator and takes great pride in the appearance of his truck.

Reece has an unblemished driving record and well respected by his fellow drivers who say they walk their talk. Judges noted this was a man on a mission – someone young but already striving to nudge higher.

Congratulations Reece Mist, from Mike Lambert Ltd.

Dan Kawana Pool :

Emerging Talent of the Year (sponsored by Northtec Tai Tokerau Wananga) This winner, Dan Kawana Pool, continues to go from strength to strength in all he does. Thanks to some very top-class training, Dan knew exactly how they wanted to run their crew and the standard it needed to be – he set the bar high and has continued to strive for 100% on all inhouse monthly audits.

Dan’s employers say his dedication and results are a testament to his high regard for health and safety and is considered the most proactive of all the

their people from the high-risk roles associated with manual tree felling and breaking out. The company owners ensure their people have the right resources, equipment, and support to deliver a high level of safety compliance and leadership across all roles.

Highly commended in this category went to John Tappatoutai from Wise on Wood.

Congratulations to our joint winners – Daron Turner from Despatch NZ Ltd and Grimmer Contracting Ltd.

Sullivan Family :

Peter Davies-Colley :

A desire to “do things differently” has seen this family rise to the top of the forestry industry. When the Sullivan family looked to expand their growing company, it was on the insistence that they would be a more professional and sustainable workforce than was the norm at the time and they achieved that and more. The Sullivans have faced many a challenge that has seen the family become even more committed to the industry with the second generation now well entrenched in the business.

Family is at the heart of this business and those who have hired the company describe them as “just amazing”.

Peter is a person who has, as a harvest contractor, earned a reputation for always doing a good job for the landowner. He has innovated for better environmental outcomes from harvesting and is leading the way in small forest harvesting, significantly reducing soil disturbance and roading required to harvest trees on Northland hill country.

Judges felt this was a real point of difference and was really focussed on innovation and technology that would be the future of forestry for generations to come.

Forestry Family of the Year (sponsored by Northern Forest Products)

Congratulations to the Sullivan Family from Forest Protection Services.

FPS Forestry :

Contractor of the Year (sponsored by ISO Ltd) The winner of the prestigious Contractor of the Year crown, FPS Forestry is known for dedication to training over many years. They pride themselves in their professionalism and quality and see good training at the heart of any successful business and a necessary investment to take their staff on a lifelong learning journey which starts the moment anyone walks through the door. Judges praised the holistic efforts of this category winner, saying they were particularly impressed with their training, development of people and professionalism.

Congratulations FPS Forestry.

Daron Turner & Grimmer Contracting Ltd :

Outstanding Health and Safety Management (sponsored by Summit Forests) Judges struggled to find a stand-out winner in the Outstanding Health and Safety Management category and ended up awarding the win jointly to two entries.

One came from a multi-generational industry family who has worked their way through the grades to now hold many tickets and qualifications. Daron Turner is known as someone who has always put health and safety to the forefront of all the operations they manage. He is considered a leader who goes above and beyond.

The other winner, Grimmer Contracting is recognised as a company who has always been innovative, continues to invest in both its people and machinery and tops that all off with plenty of hard work and a practical can-do approach to all they do. There is a constant focus to improve safety by working collaboratively across forest management, staff, suppliers, and visitors. Its investment in mechanical harvesting systems was directly linked to removing

Outstanding Environmental Management (sponsored by Wise on Wood)

Congratulations Peter Davies-Colley from The Tree People Ltd

Skilled Professional of the Year

(sponsored by Northland Forestry Health and Safety Group) Diversity was certainly the theme for the 2021 Northland Forestry Awards and the Skilled Professional of the Year certainly highlights that.

Judges spent a lot of time carefully debating who would win the various categories, with the winners from forestry, roading, harvesting, distribution, wood processing, breaker out, faller, woman in forestry excellence as well as the log truck driver all going head-to-head to find the Skilled Professional of the Year. It is an award that recognises an individual for being a leader in their field . . . one who has excellent professional skills, a top attitude and with attributes that are recognised by their peers and employers.

Forestry wasn’t the first choice as a career, but this person soon changed their mind. They started their forestry career on the hill and stayed there for a while before moving to manual processing.

They have led their team through some of the toughest country in Northland, keeping them all safe and morale high.

Their positive attitude is well documented and they have previously come to national attention for being the “happiest” worker in New Zealand and many know this winner as . . . J Dubbs.

James Wilson, from Rosewarne Contractors, was awarded the Skilled Professional of the Year trophy for 2021.

WAY TO GROW, BRO! Northpine congratulates sawmill manager Ed Wilson, Wood Processor of the Year.

A tremendous achievement from a dedicated man who has worked his way up from table hand to senior management in a tough and challenging industry. Ed is the fifth Northpine employee to win this award since 2016.

Northpine continues to invest heavily in training and development of its people because striving for excellence has its rewards.

WORK ENQUIRIES: hasna@northpine.co.nz

www.northpine.co.nz

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“The best thing about my job in harvest planning is it has a good mix of outdoor time and office work, and it’s flexible around the weather and with work-life balance.”

Nathan Baird

“With forestry I could see I would be able to keep working outside, go hunting on the weekends, and get ahead and eventually own a logging business”

“I’m interested to learn more about the science of trees, gaining more knowledge about tree varieties and horticulture in general.”

Matthew Foley

Health and Safety Coordinator for DG Glenn

Ngarimu Heremia Mana Nursery Technician at Scion Research

Harvest Planner at Hancock Forest Management

“It’s a hard job, but it’s very rewarding and fulfilling. You’ll have days where you may fail or make a mistake, but if you take the lesson and learn from it.

It’s a rewarding opportunity. ” Malone Te Kaawa-Ripia Silviculturist at Inta-wood Forestry

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Man of many talents

James Wilson aka J Dubb Yo is an unrelenting, happy person, so happy he has appeared on TV3’s The Project twice.

During lock down in COVID-19, they heard about J Dubb, followed his face book page that now attracts over 41,000 followers each and every day and decided they needed to know what made this forest worker so happy with life.

S

o, it has not been a surprise to know that James was awarded with the most prestigious accolade in the Northland Forestry Awards, the Skilled Professional of the Year 2021 and also took out the Breaker Out Excellence Award in the category section.

What has been interesting is to know that forestry was not his first choice in career but having had the opportunity to watch his father Dave Wilson work in the bush all his childhood and at the age of 19 be given the chance to work for his father, James stepped into the role unassumingly.

James’s first job was as a poleman and in those earlier days where there was no automatic chockers on haulers, he had to manually unhook the logs off the line once they hit the skid. He did that for 11 months then he went chainsaw butting and trimming.

His father was working for J B Logging at the time and could not

Scholarship winning teen following his dad’s footsteps

get enough workers so James was a real asset.

James then went into manual processing on the skid for 2 years fulltime and worked through his appropriate tickets before making another move to breaking out for just under 2 years which also set this trainee up with all his tickets again. It did not stop there, tree falling was the next job and no surprise his father Dave was the teacher. James cannot speak more highly of his father and what an awesome mentor he has been, his passion of forestry has certainly rubbed off and for a further 7 years, James became very skilled at that highly specialised role.

James has moved between Northland, Porirua and Gisborne working for a raft of contractors and being as multi skilled as he was, work has not been hard to secure. When he moved back to Northland, he picked up work at Rosewarne Contractors and filling a role that was hard to seek skilled workers, James returned to be a head breaker out.

He has trained up many, many people but he has seen the industry change significantly with the introduction of mechanisation and James understands to fulfil a safer environment out there on the slopes this is the right thing to do.

Being the jack of all trades but a specialised one as a tree faller and breaker out, there will still be a requirement for manual applications in forestry.

To add to his repertoire James has also branched out into selling a range of plant-based health products having created a business when he started sharing stories about the products. A natural salesman born he then branched out with his own clothing brand. James is also hot on advocacy of mental health having lost a brother at the age of 16-years to suicide in 2008. He promotes wellbeing messages and hopes to make others aware that’s its important to talk about this stuff, supported with his slogan “it ain’t weak to speak.”

Asked about the career opportunities for his young family, he suggested his kids can be engineers or builders or plumbers but maybe something else other than a forester.

A

Waipu teen tipped to surely make his mark in forestry has been awarded the Northpine 2021 forestry scholarship.

Hayden Bartlett is following his father’s footsteps into the industry, and next year will head to Canterbury University to do a Bachelor of Forestry Science.

“It is awesome to be awarded this scholarship,” said Hayden. “It assists me to study in Christchurch and pursue my endeavours in forestry. My father has been in the industry his whole life so forestry has always been a big part of my life growing up. To follow in his footsteps is daunting but I am glad to be going into an industry which is so familiar to me and where I already have people I know.”

Long term Hayden says he has his sights set on being a harvest manager, with an eye to the export side of business and the sawmilling industry. “As I learn more I will see where the road takes me.”

He extended a big thank you to Northpine and

the Northland Wood Council for the scholarship. “It is a huge honour to be recognised and supported by them.”

The graduate of Bream Bay College received glowing references from school principal Wayne Buckland who said he had been a significant

contributor to school as a leader, sportsman, musician and academic. He had no doubt Hayden would “rise accordingly to the rigours” of his chosen degree. “His innate savvy, natural resilience, great sense of humour, natural intelligence and problemsolving abilities will stand him in great stead for making his mark in the world of forestry,” he said.

Hayden is looking forward to the four year degree and is hoping to bring his skills home to Northland on completion of his degree. He is well entrenched in the local community, having been a member of the Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club for a decade, and has moved through the grades from junior guard to patrol captain. Each summer he helps keep the beaches safe as a volunteer lifeguard.

The $2000 cash grant is awarded annually

by Waipu timber manufacturer Northpine to a Northland student enrolled in fulltime tertiary study or an employee within the industry with aspirations to undertake extra study.

WE UNDERSTAND TREES C re a t i n g va l u e by g row i n g Pe o p l e, P ro d u c t s, Pa r t n e rs a n d P ro s p e r i t y

K o t a- m a-t a u t i n o wh a-i n g a , k o t e t i n o t i a k i i t e wh e nu a m e t e wa i h a n g a wa-t e a t a n g a m o- n g a- u r i k a t o a , k a wh a i a k e

Proud to be associated with Shorty Murray, FNR Forestry 2019 LTD and Libby Popata, Mold Logging Limited If you're looking to plant or harvest, talk to Summit for a flexible and profitable solution.

Bob Shirley Forest Manager—Northland +64 21 323 522 bob.shirley@summitforest.co.nz | www.summitforests.co.nz

Summit Foressts, a subsidiary company of Sumitomo Corporation Japan. An integrated trading company, operating as part of the Sumitomo Group. In business for 400 years and counting.

Latest news & updates from around our Network

Northpower Arborist tips on tree cutting Northpower actively cut trees close to our network lines to reduce the risk of unplanned outages from trees being blown or falling into lines.

Northpower’s vegetation team of 16 includes arborists and tree officers.

The team are busy year round cutting trees and vegetation near power lines to ensure we keep the lights on.

“Safety is the number one concern for our team” says Rameka Arani – Field Services Manager- vegetation, “we do all that we can to keep the team safe, including wearing the correct protective gear, activating all the safety features on the chainsaws and ensuring we have a clear area around where you are cutting” says Rameka.

Rameka advises that for the public the main thing you can do to keep safe is to accept when a job is too big and to call in an arborist.

DON’T TAKE UNNECESSARY RISKS. You should never go within 4 meters of a powerline or attempt to trim trees around our high voltage lines yourself – please call Northpower on 0800 10 40 40 to report trees near network lines – we’ll send out one of our team to have a look and put in place a plan to trim or remove the trees.

If you are concerned about trees near your service line (the line between your boundary and your house) you can request a safety disconnection from us and use a professional to do the work.

Safety around Electricity

Working safely near Overhead Lines

It’s important to keep safety top of mind when working near powerlines – both above and below ground. If power or fibre cables are struck and damaged, it can knock out important electrical or communications supplies. It could also result in an electric shock, explosion or death.

When working near overhead lines and power poles, keep a careful watch and make sure that you maintain a safe working distance from overhead lines at all times. When operating machinery such as a digger or crane near lines you must keep at least four metres clear of the overhead power lines.

Here’s some tips to help keep you safe:

Do not dig within five metres of power poles unless you have been issued a Close Approach Consent from us as this could cause the power pole to collapse. Instead contact us for a Close Approach Consent, and we will work with you to ensure the works can be done safely.

When Digging: Before you begin you should find out where Northpower’s electricity and communications cables are.

Overhead lines in the area doesn’t always mean an absence of underground cables. Our cables are laid at different depths in the ground. We cannot guarantee the depth of any cable because alterations to the ground cover may reduce or increase the depths over time.

Visit www.beforeudig.co.nz to request plans at least two working days before you begin work.

If your work means you need to be closer than 4 meters away from the lines that supply your house, we offer a free safety disconnection.

Please call us on 0800 10 4040 to book in a safety disconnection (and reconnection) at least two working days before you plan to begin your work.

For more information on working safely near power and communication lines please visit our website: northpower.com/company/safety/safety-around-the-network

They will then email you the free reference maps that indicate the approximate location of underground cables. You can then use the beforeUdig sequence number provided to order a free cable locate service from Northpower.

Are you connected to Northpower Fibre?

It’s usually a free installation and similar monthly cost to what you’re already paying.

ASK FOR FIBRE Request

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General enquiries: 0800 66 78 47

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Find out about Planned and Unplanned Outages If you are experiencing a power cut go to northpower.com (on your mobile device) to check the latest information and updates on outages.

If your outage is not showing on the website, please call 0800 10 40 40.

Our website has a section showing any planned outages - you can check here for any updates on the outage in your area. For large outages we also post the information and updates on our Northpower facebook page.

lt 0800 10 40 40 For power and hot water faults:

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