NZ Logger August 2025

August 2025 | 9.50

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ISSN 2703-6251

s g n n n h t

Data-driven harvesting: technology at work

Work smarter, not harder, to reduce fatigue

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contents

AUGUST 2025

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FOREST TALK New Gisborne Land Transition Guidelines not a “quick fix”; Support for flood-affected; Positive port developments; Log skidder pushed over cliff; Forestry company fined for continued pollution; Right equipment “a game changer”; Potential impact of tariffing NZ timber and lumber products to the U.S.; Carter Holt Harvey proposes timber price rises; Conference coverage: Emerging stronger; “First machine of its kind”; Conference coverage: Honouring excellence in forestry.

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SHAW’S WIRE ROPES IRON TEST CMH Contracting’s Conan Hemsworth’s Weiler H457 harvester, with its staunch, heavy-duty undercarriage, zero tail cab and long reach is built for thinnings.

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LOG HAULAGE Integrated technology, coordinated logistics, and long-term forest management deliver performance and productivity at Moturoa/ Rabbit Island Forest. Log transport operations at Borlase Transport, which handles dispatch for the harvest, are thriving.

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WORKER WELLNESS We caught up with Alan Paulson, owner of Tairāwhiti Timber Training, to talk about how he manages the risk of fatigue in his manual felling crew. It’s all about working smarter, not harder, he says.

DEPARTMENTS 2 editorial 46 fica 50 top spot 53 Greenlight New Iron 55 classifieds

August 2025 | NZ LOGGER 1

from the editor August 2025 | 9.50

Built for

ISSN 1176-0397

PHOTO: TIM BENSEMAN

t h nn ngs

Data-driven harvesting: technology at work

Work smarter, not harder, to reduce fatigue

Regular operator, Malcolm Phillips, running CMH Contracting’s Weiler H457 in Kaingaroa.

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2 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

It’s all about connection SHORTLY AFTER THIS YEAR’S NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF FORESTRY (NZIF) Conference wrapped up in Napier, the Nelson Tasman region (where the conference was held last year) was pummelled by two flood-inducing rainstorms which echoed the weather events of 2023. It was very clear at this year’s conference, titled Emerging Stronger, that Cyclone Gabrielle is still at the forefront of the industry’s collective consciousness, along with the associated trauma.

Emerging Stronger served as a catharsis of sorts, unpacking the response to the devastation, its effects on communities, and how and where to strengthen our forests and infrastructure for the future. A future which is all too current for those in the Top of the South.

Issues like landscape changing events, wilding trees, steepland plantation forestry and legacy issues were all touched on, and frank discussions were had. Challenges and questions were asked like: Are your forests protecting or threatening people downstream? Are you building trust or shifting burdens? How can forestry lead in sustainability?

It was also clear that while forestry needs to take accountability where it’s due, the public needs to temper expectations of what can be managed.

An adaptive management approach is good, but regulators don’t like this approach, said one speaker, adding that it’s not about competitive advantage but about enhancing social licence. Often the answers depend on who is doing the answering. For more on the conference, turn to pages 12-15.

This month, we also take a look at how technology is streamlining forest operations, something that helped tremendously with assessing damage and allocating resources post-Cyclone Gabrielle. Here, technology is delivering results at Moturoa/Rabbit Island Forest and optimising log transport operations too.

Of course, safety is key, no matter the tools. And our next feature focusses on different ways of working to help reduce fatigue. Tired people are more likely to make poor decisions, says Tairāwhiti Timber Training’s Alan Paulson. And we all know a poor decision in a forestry environment can prove fatal.

Certainly no shortage of challenges, but if there’s one thing this year’s NZIF conference proved it’s that resilience and recovery are all about connection, shared minds, pooling resources and working together. An industry may be made up of individuals but put those heads together and we all emerge stronger.

Until next time, stay safe.

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forest talk

New Gisborne Land Transition Guidelines not a “quick fix” THE RECENT LAUNCH OF THE TRANSITION GUIDELINES FOR Sustainable Land Use developed by the Transition Advisory Group (TAG) marks a strong step toward protecting our whenua and supporting sustainable land use, says Gisborne District Council Chief Executive, Nedine Thatcher Swann.

The guidelines are a result of months of collaboration by the TAG – a locally led, cross-sector group made up of forestry representatives, farmers, Māori landowners, those with environmental interests and experts from Gisborne District Council and the Ministry for Primary Industries.

TAG was set up in 2024 to develop guidelines for transitioning erosion-prone land into permanent vegetation cover. The group is a direct response to the long-term erosion and land management challenges identified in the Ministerial Inquiry into Land Use. Eastland Wood Council Chair, Julian, Kohn says the region’s challenges have been built over decades – and will take just as long to fix.

“We support the land use transition principle,” he says. “But it’s important for our community to understand that the proposed land use changes are among the most significant the forestry sector has faced in 40 years.

“These proposed changes have serious implications for the viability of forestry in our district and are deterring future investment in Gisborne.

“Forestry is deeply embedded in our region’s economy, social fabric and environmental management.

“We value having some forest industry members at the TAG table and would welcome additional expertise to ensure these changes are implemented in a way that works for everyone.”

Ms Thatcher Swann adds, “This work isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about setting a foundation for long-term change that reflects the needs of our whenua, economy and communities.”

She says keeping a wide range of voices around the table will continue to be key as the guidelines are rolled out.

“The guidelines are a shared achievement, created through open and sometimes difficult conversations across sectors. That kind of collaboration is crucial if we want meaningful long-term progress.”

Dan Jex-Blake, TAG member representing farming interests, says the responsibility to act now lies within this generation.

“Cyclone Gabrielle gave us all a salutary reminder of the fragility of some of our landscapes and the enormous damage that our more highly erodible land can do when it enters our waterways.

“The repercussions of this are that the damage and cost is not shared by just the landowner alone, but by all those who live downstream – our highly valuable flats, infrastructure, waterways, ocean and the businesses and communities that they support.

“As a landowner with an intergenerational perspective and who is kaitiaki of some of that sensitive land, I firmly believe that it is beholden upon us to do the right thing and embrace the challenge of protecting this land so that generations to come are not continually left to pick up the cost and question why their forebears not address this issue, when nature was so pointedly calling for change.”

Sam Rowland, General Manager for the Tairāwhiti Environment Centre, says the guidelines are a starting point for wider impact.

“These guidelines are a starting point for lasting community impact, driven by many sectors collaborating to heal the region’s economy, livelihoods and ecosystems. While progress has been made, there is still more work ahead to refine these guidelines and ensure they truly serve our community’s long-term well-being.”

Hilton Collier, Director of Tairāwhiti Whenua Collective, emphasises the need for balance in how land is managed.

“As kaitiaki, we take a long-term view of sustainable land use.

We understand the relationship between whānau and whenua and the need to look after both in a much more balanced way. We must transition land use over time to ensure we achieve a more stable landscape and reduce the harm current practices have on our rohenga.”

The focus now shifts to sharing the guidelines with communities and supporting landowners to begin planning and implementation.

TAG is continuing to work on developing a regional business case and delivery plan to seek government funding and other investment. The aim is to support landowners with transition costs and enable long-term change. * Read the Transition Guide at: gdc.govt.nz NZL

4 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

ensign_g

forest talk

Support for flood-affected AN ADDITIONAL $600,000 IN GOVERNMENT and industry support for rural communities in the Nelson Tasman Region, brings the total Government financial contribution for the affected primary sector to $500,000. This includes additional funding to help foresters, farmers, growers and rural contractors recover from recent severe weather events after the two recent floods that struck the area within a two week period, from late June.

“These regions have experienced significant damage to forests, farms and rural infrastructure. This funding will help meet immediate recovery needs and help rural businesses get back on their feet,” says Forestry Minister, Todd McClay.

The support package includes: • A $300,000 Government contribution to the Mayoral Relief Fund tagged to the rural sector.

• $100,000 contribution by Government and Federated Farmers to the Farmers Adverse Events Trust to support with the immediate recovery needs for the most impacted pastoral farmers in the Nelson Tasman region.

• $100,000 contribution by Government and Horticulture New Zealand, to help the horticulture sector across the Top of the South.

• $100,000 announced by Government in June to support and coordinate recovery efforts, including $20,000 for the Top of the South Rural Support Trust.

“Many farmers and growers faced their second clean-up in a fortnight from floods and storm damage. Rural communities are resilient, but the relentless wet weather conditions have taken a toll. This support is designed to provide meaningful and direct assistance quickly,” Mr McClay says.

“Farmers, foresters and growers will face many, many months of work to repair damage to their land and get their businesses back on track. We will continue to assess what further assistance might be required.”

“Farmers and growers who need help or assistance should in the first instance contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254,” he adds.

With echoes of similar scenes in Hawke’s

Bay and Gisborne following 2023’s weather events, Tasman Mayor, Tim King, says he has never seen anything like this before.

“It’s everywhere. I’ve been asked so often, ‘Where’s the worst?’. I don’t think there’s a worst.

“There are just so many different impacts on different people, whether it’s smaller properties, people’s houses affected, larger properties that have had significant impacts on them and their businesses, farms, lifestyle blocks... now forestry companies and private forestry owners.

“There are so many heartbreaking sights... you go up lots of these smaller valleys and you talk to people and they are just devastated about the impact on their house or their property... the landscape that they love.

“Most people just haven’t seen this level of damage in their lifetimes in most of the areas that have been affected. So yes, it’s very hard to pick a worst.”

The focus has been on prioritising re-opening roads, restoring power and assessing longer-term welfare needs. NZL

®

EXCLUSIVE NEW ZEALAND DISTRIBUTOR OF GB FORESTRY EQUIPMENT

EXCLUSIVE NEW ZEALAND DISTRIBUTOR OF GB FORESTRY PRODUCTS

ensign_gb_half_page_04024_final.indd 1

9/05/2024 2:15:16 PM

forest talk

Positive port developments EASTLAND PORT AND CRANE OPERATOR, QUBE, ARE transitioning the main log export berth at the port from Wharf 8 to the newly rebuilt Wharf 7.

This follows what Port Chief Executive, Andrew Gaddum, says was a successful dredging campaign in May by the trailing suction dredge Albatros.

“This marks a major milestone for the port and reflects the longterm planning and investment we’ve made to future-proof our infrastructure. Wharf 7’s modern design allows the mobile harbour cranes to work more closely to the vessel’s edge, increasing both efficiency and safety during loading operations,” he says.

“A third crane is now surplus to requirements. Qube’s two remaining cranes have proven to be both efficient and effective, and will remain the primary method of log loading.

“A purpose-built grapple attachment will be used when either crane is undergoing maintenance, ensuring productivity and safety are maintained.”

Northport set to deliver more Meanwhile, Northport Group Limited (NGL) held its first board meeting last month, highlighting a commitment to move quickly and efficiently to maximise development opportunities for its key infrastructure assets.

NGL is the holding company for the newly formed Northport Group following the successful minority buyout of NZX-listed Marsden Maritime Holdings (MMH) by a consortium comprising Northland Regional Council (NRC), Port of Tauranga (POT) and Ngapuhi Investment Fund (Tupu Tonu) and combination with Northport Limited (Northport).

A key reason for the consortium’s acquisition was to streamline the assets and operations of MMH and Northport under a single governance structure so as to improve the strategic alignment of these critical Northland infrastructure assets and to better position NGL for future investment opportunities.

New Chair, Julia Hoare says, “Combining MMH and Northport under a single ownership structure not only makes commercial sense, it underpins a focused commitment to deliver value to the Northland community. We are committed to supporting the management team to do everything in our collective power to enhance the strategic importance of these key infrastructure assets.

“We will be working with all stakeholders to push through critical measures in a bid to accelerate important investment in the region.

The new NGL board, from left: Dean Bracewell, Julian Smith, Julia Hoare (Chair), Lindsay Faithfull and David Pilkington (Leonard Sampson not present).

This will not only create more local jobs, it will also benefit all New Zealanders in having an accessible deep-water port hub for the efficient handling of both export and imported goods. Our clear mandate from consortium shareholders is to ensure growth and development of the region’s port takes place as quickly as possible.”

The new NGL board comprises: • Julia Hoare (Chair), • Dean Bracewell, • Lindsay Faithfull, • David Pilkington, • Leonard Sampson, and • Julian Smith.

NRC Chair, Geoff Crawford adds, “This is a momentous occasion for NRC, having identified the benefits for our regional stakeholders and then initiating a move to create this consortium to successfully bring these important Northland assets under one ownership structure.

“This required investment from us to not only buy out the minorities of MMH, but to also acquire the 50% shareholding of Northport not owned by MMH. As the controlling shareholder of MMH (53.6%) during its time as a listed entity, we would like to thank the outgoing board for the professional way in which they handled themselves during the offer period. Now working alongside our consortium partners, we look forward to sharing in the future potential of NGL.” NZL

Log skidder pushed over cliff A SKIDDER PUSHED OVER A CLIFF IN northern Hawke’s Bay in an alleged act of vandalism, remains stuck in a hard-to-reach location near the Waiau River since June.

A video of the incident was shared by an anonymous person on social media with the caption: “pay ya bills or pay the price, receivers will have a hard time repossessing that one”.

The Cat-branded skidder had been operated

by JDS Logging, which went into liquidation 6 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

the same day as the incident.

A Hawke’s Bay Regional Council spokeswoman says the skidder has yet to be removed from its steep location. There are concerns about the impact diesel and oil will have on the ecosystem in that part, and downstream of, the Waiau River.

No charges have yet been laid over the incident and police are continuing their investigation.

JDS Logging owner, Daniel Shoaf, says it was

“a tough decision” to put his company into voluntary liquidation, which was the result of “multiple years of hardship and hard times”.

JDS Logging went into voluntary liquidation owing about $900,000 to creditors, including $46,000 to employees, according to the first liquidator’s report.

The company did have assets and money owed to it, but it was unclear how much money would be recovered to pay company debts, including to employees. NZL

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forest talk

Forestry company fined for continued pollution FORESTRY COMPANY, SEAVIEW LOGGING AND COMPANY Director, Graeme Howard Savill, were convicted and sentenced

by Environment and District Court Judge Lauren Semple in the Huntly District Court in April on five charges of breaching National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry and fined $112,500.

This after, slash and sediment polluted a stream in Waihī for over a year with no change and continued environmental damage despite six inspections, and two abatement notices.

An appeal to the High Court was abandoned.

The summary of facts showed that on 6 October 2022, Waikato Regional Council enforcement officers visited the 18-hectare plantation forestry block on Thorn Road, Waihī to inspect the harvest operation.

The council found several breaches of the National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry, including a lack of stormwater and water run off control, exposed areas of soil which had not been stabilised, and unmaintained and ineffective erosion and

sediment control measures.

This was the first of six inspections over 2022 and 2023 which all found sediment and erosion control measures were deficient in protecting the environment from discharges.

In her sentencing indication, Judge Semple said, “Rather than work with the council to ensure that appropriate sediment and erosion control measures were put in place and appropriately maintained, Mr Savill determined that such measures were unnecessary or could be undertaken in a perfunctory manner or at a later date.”

Judge Semple also wrote that Savill was an experienced operator who knew, or should have known, that effective sediment and erosion control mechanisms are a fundamental component of forestry harvesting operations.

“I accept the prosecutor’s submission that the offending was deliberate and sustained. I find the defendants’ actions to be highly careless bordering on reckless and the culpability in this matter to be high.” NZL

Right equipment “a game changer” WHEN A MASSIVE STORM TORE THROUGH the top of New Zealand’s South Island in 2008, it left a legacy that was more than just devastation – it encouraged 22-year-old Scott Reed to step into the forestry industry.

Within a year he was on the ground working to recover fallen timber in a corporate estate, and setting the stage for what would become a thriving family business built on resilience, smart decisions, and dependable gear.

By 2010, Scott had progressed into harvesting in Council forests and private woodlots within a two-hour radius of Nelson, in the heart of the South Island’s timber region, and Reed Contracting Nelson has gone from strength to strength since.

Eighteen years on, Scott and his wife Chelsea employ 11 staff and two harvesting crews working across the top of the South Island, cutting radiata pine which is destined for domestic timber in the shape of pruned, sawlogs, Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and peelers, as well as feeding the export market that ships out of Port Nelson.

The crews have been working in some difficult terrains over the past six months, Scott says, which makes the reliability and comfort of their plant and equipment critical.

The Reeds have invested in three new pieces of John Deere forestry kit, a 648L-II grapple skidder, a 768L-II bogie skidder and a 959MH tracked harvester. Scott says he is impressed by the stability and ease of use of the new machines.

The Continuously Variable Transmission 8 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

(CVT) of the 648L automatically senses its load before delivering more torque, and eliminates the need to shift gears, shortening the learning curve for new operators and helping experienced drivers to maximise productivity.

The 768L features balanced bogie axles that deliver on traction and flotation in wet and muddy terrain, while the long and wide undercarriage of the 959 combines with a levelling system that maximises stability on steep slopes, with a standard 9.12m boom.

“We’re really enjoying the new skidder and the operator comfort, especially the latest one, the six-wheeled bogie. It’s great to drive and the stability is unreal – just the ability to work on uneven slopes with it is excellent,” says Scott.

“The levelling machine, the 959, obviously articulates off the base and levels the top half of the machine out, so it’s ideal for working on steep slopes. A lot of our work is winch-assist with a felling machine and the 959 has been a very capable machine for what we’ve done.”

To finance their investment in new machinery, Scott and Chelsea approached their local dealership, Drummond & Etheridge in Nelson, about making an application through John Deere Financial. They were pleased with how straightforward the process turned out to be.

“At the time we were purchasing equipment, some of the other creditors and finance companies were quite expensive but a lot of the machine companies were putting out some really good rates. It was literally a no

brainer to go with John Deere Financial and they were super competitive in subsidising our purchases. It fitted our operation and it’s been a real advantage,” says Scott.

“We purchased our first John Deere skidder in 2012, a 648H, and it was a really reliable machine.

“It’s now owned by a local operator and still goes well with 15,000 hours on it! So, they really stand the test of time.”

And while the forestry industry is in “a bit of a lull” at the moment, with fluctuations in export markets and local sawmills doing it tough, Scott still enjoys the problem-solving and challenges that the industry presents.

“We enjoy the sense of achievement from harvesting timber. You need to be resilient, but the work and the people are really good.

And choosing the right equipment has been a game changer for us,” he says. NZL

Scott Reed says the 768-II bogie skidder has strong stability on uneven slopes.

forest talk

Story: Mark Ross, Chief Executive Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association

Potential impact of tariffing NZ timber and lumber products to the U.S. WITH A POPULATION OF 5.2 MILLION people spread over a land area slightly less than the state of Colorado, New Zealand has a strong story to tell about free trade, farming and renewable forestry resources. No more so than when it comes to endorsing our highquality softwood timber and lumber products that have gained popularity among American consumers in the home construction industry due to their appearance, superior machining properties and premium quality.

Forests thrive in New Zealand’s climate and the sector supports a year-round harvest – with responsible production central to the industry. We know plantation forests are sustainably managed (with large areas under global certification programmes), and are dominated by radiata pine, a productive and fast-growing softwood species. Processed outputs from our forest estates range from lumber to pulp and paper, panels, and engineered wood and remanufactured products.

The strength of New Zealand pine compares favourably with that of most traditional construction lumber species.

Appropriate conversion processes ensure that the higher-strength wood fibre near the 10 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

outside of the log is sawn for building and construction. Our radiata pine is versatile and is excellent for an impressive range of structural and appearance applications. It is easily kiln dried or chemically treated to produce stable and long-lasting products.

Due to limited domestic demand for our wood products, we have always taken great pride in developing relationships and exporting our timber and lumber to overseas markets, such as the United States. In 2024, we exported $US215 million of radiata pine products from New Zealand to the United States making the U.S. our third largest export market for forest products behind China and Australia. Although the $US215 million is minor when compared to the total global imports of $US2.3 billion of timber and lumber products into the United States, this trade is valued by both the New Zealand producers and the American DIY customers.

New Zealand timber and lumber exporters are known for providing high value wood products into the United States, most of which are sold into the DIY end user’s market, such as Home Depot, Lowes and Menards.

Given the healthy relationship between the United States and New Zealand on the

trade front, the temporary relief of tariffs on timber and lumber imported into the United States has been welcomed. We realise that this tariff exemption could be short lived based on the outcome of the Section 232 investigation aimed at determining the global effects imports of timber, lumber and their derivative products have on the United Sates supply chain.

As a small niche supplier of wood products that are needed by the U.S. domestic building market, there is a strong argument for keeping New Zealand timber and lumber imports tariff free to avoid any additional price hikes and further supply chain disruptions.

If tariffs are added to imported New Zealand wood products, this will have a direct impact on the American consumer through price increases and supply availability on articles like clear pine boards, mouldings, solid wood sidings and primed product. As one customer in the United States commented, “A lot of what we buy from New Zealand we can’t get elsewhere easily, so expect we may have to pay extra, resulting in higher prices for the consumer”.

As an example, clear radiata pine boards are

forest talk

unable to be produced in the United States as no domestic species come from a pruned forestry resource.

There is a realisation that due to our low trade barriers and the minimal effect we have on global imports into the United States, New Zealand is not the target of any new tariffs. However, there is a chance that we will be unintentionally caught up in the tariff effects should they be implemented.

With high shipping and production costs, it is anticipated that should a tariff on New Zealand timber and lumber products be imposed, then this will lead to higher prices at a time when other building material costs are also on the rise.

From a New Zealand perspective we look upon the temporary tariff exemption on timber and lumber products as a blessing, and we thank our kindred organisations in America, such as the National Association of Home Builders and the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association, for their support in making this happen. Like many, we now wait for completion of the Section 232 Investigation as to what the future holds for imported New Zealand timber and lumber products entering the United States. NZL

Carter Holt Harvey proposes timber price rises TIMBER SUPPLIER, CARTER HOLT HARVEY, has proposed five to seven percent timber price rises by October, according G.J. Gardner. Homes.

G.J. Gardner.’s Grant Porteous is opposing the price rises, saying they are unacceptable in such tough economic conditions and at a time when housebuilding numbers are down.

Input cost increases and labour costs have been cited as part of the reason for the proposed rise.

“The consumer can’t sustain that at this moment. We don’t see that your input costs have increased. You need to hold your prices for the good of New Zealanders and our industry at the time,” says Mr Porteous.

“You’ll never build cheaper than you will today. The cost

of building a home isn’t our supply chain or manufacturers. It’s more bureaucracy, red tape, councils, and honestly, MBIE [Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment] at times over-reaching with the building code,” he adds.

Staff at the national chain of Carter’s retail outlets are telling builders of the planned price rises. The directive has come from the head office. NZL

DIAGNOSE • DESIGN • DELIVER

NZIF Conference 2025

Emerging stronger

Main: A drone shoot of the last cyclone-damaged tree in NZFM's forests being felled.

Insert: NZFM General Manager, John Hura, says safety was a priority from the start.

AS PANPAC’S TIM SANDAL PUT IT AT THIS year’s New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) conference held in Napier, titled Emerging Stronger, the period following February 2023’s devastating weather events was, “A story of difficulty and complexity but also care, resilience and the power of communities”.

And that, in a nutshell was what the conference was all about.

12 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

From the impact on forest ecosystems and infrastructure to policy, education and community involvement, as well as the practicalities of building resilience in forests, restoration and conservation, many of the presentations were understandably heartfelt.

The 2024 Forester of the Year awardee, NZ Forest Managers’ (NZFM) John Hura spoke about the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle in the Central North Island (as reported in NZ Logger, September 2024). With warnings and strong winds a week before the cyclone hit, NZFM decided to close its forests. A wise move, as the immediate aftermath was “widespread and significant”.

“The scale and extent of the windthrow was going to be the challenge and not the windthrow itself,” said Mr Hura in his presentation. Significant resources would be required, with a strong emphasis on Health and Safety.

Getting the salvage underway involved prioritising the response – diverting existing crews, adding resources and trucking capacity, engaging with customers and planning the order of salvage within constraints, while allowing for equitable resource allocation across forests.

Priorities were key to minimise value loss, along with reassessing assumptions. For example, that pruned log quality would deteriorate over six months (but they lasted longer) and minimum monthly volume requirements for each forest as a way of spreading crews out.

As the wood got older and drier, brittleness increased which created loading and handling issues. In addition, trees in damaged areas were still falling over months after the cyclone, he says. Much of the damage was to the most valuable stands, those aged 20-years and older.

Despite all these challenges and more, NZFM set a company record for annual harvest volume in Financial Year 2023 and beat it in under five months in Financial Year 2024. The salvage was completed 16 months after the cyclone with 3.3 million m3 of logs salvaged from 6700 hectares of forest.

PanPac and others told similar tales of cleaning silt and debris, repairing culverts and roads, crisis management, building resilience and rebuilding market share.

“We learnt a lot through this process about our people, business and community and look forward to a brighter future ahead. We are only as strong as our people,” says Mr Sandal.

CEO of Aratu Forests, Neil Woods’ presentation was titled What I have learnt in handling a crisis.

With echoes of an earlier talk by journalist Janet Wilson, he identified seven learnings his journey taught him, saying the experience made the company rethink their business priorities.

From keeping staff wellbeing in focus and taking value in the wood councils and New Zealand Forest Owners Association, to keeping good records and informing your insurer, he concluded that ultimately crisis

“First machine of its kind”

Above and opposite below: Ocean Beach Wilderness is doing impressive work in conservation. management is a marathon, not a sprint – taking note that staff morale and resilience change over time.

Managing steepland plantation forestry, transitioning forests and recognising key landscape features were just some of the other topics touched on. And then there were the field trips – a look at what the PanPac mill has achieved in person or witnessing the success of Ocean Beach Wilderness. Not an easy choice with both imparting a wealth of information and a little bit of fun. Not unlike the conference itself! NZL

Turn the page for more on the conference.

CANADIAN BASED MANFACTURER, T-MAR Industries, has developed the first ever hybrid electric logging yarder.

“This is the first machine of its kind anywhere,” says Vice President of T-Mar Industries, Tyson Lambert.

Called the 7280E Hybrid Electric Drive Yarder, it has taken T-Mar five years to develop and uses electric drives that share power back and forth like a hybrid vehicle.

“Logging yarders, basically a zipline for logs that are inaccessible to machinery, have been used in the industry for more than a century, but this is very different from a traditional machine where it’s all mechanically linked and gears and clutches have to engage to make everything work,” says mechanical engineer for T-Mar Industries, Philip Biebach.

According to T-Mar, the 7280E is more powerful, easier to run, better on fuel, and requires less maintenance than a typical yarder. It will also reduce the carbon footprint in the forest by using less fuel and

reducing emissions, they say.

“The engine is going to be spending all of its time at the peak clean burning region,” says Mr Biebach, “and not blowing the big cloud of black smoke every time you accelerate”.

The first hybrid electric forest yarder will soon be deployed into its first logging operation, operated by a local forestry company on the Canadian west coast. NZL

DIA DG I ANGONSO E S•E D•E D S IEGS N I G•N D•E D L IEVLEI V RER

NZIF Conference 2025

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2 1: Outgoing NZIF President, James Treadwell (left) presents to Prince of Wales Sustainability Cup winner, Grace Hughes (right).

2. 2024 Forester of the Year, John Hura (left), presents Forester of the Year for 2025 to Dr Dean Meason.

3. NZIF Treasurer and past Future Foresters Chair, Jack Palmer, presents the FRESTRA Young Forester of the Year Award to Kendra Monteith.

4 & 5. Joint winners of the Mary Sutherland Award, Jack O’Dowd (photo 4) and Filipe Domonibitu (photo 5), both of the Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.

Honouring excellence in forestry AT THE 2025 NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF FORESTRY (NZIF) AWARDS Dinner, held as part of the Institute’s annual conference, the outstanding achievements of forestry professionals were in the spotlight.

“This year’s awards reflect the depth, innovation and commitment of the individuals shaping the future of forestry in New Zealand,” said outgoing NZIF President, James Treadwell.

Among others, categories honoured the following winners: Honorary Member – David Bunting NZIF bestowed honorary membership upon David Bunting in recognition of his exceptional service to the profession. Over 11 years as the independent member of the NZIF Registration Board, David played a pivotal role in transforming professional registration, supporting its growth from 90 to over 170 members. His leadership contributed to major policy recognitions, including exemptions under the Real Estate Agents Act and the establishment of a career pathway for early professionals. His insights, drawn from experience with chartered engineering schemes, have elevated professionalism across the sector.

Prince of Wales Sustainability Cup – Grace Hughes Grace Hughes was awarded the prestigious Prince of Wales 14 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

6. Winner of the Frank Hutchinson Post Graduate Award, Frederick Anthonio of the University of Canterbry.

7 & 8. Chair of the NZIF Foundation, Tim Payn, presents the Student Poster Awards to Arthur Elworthy (1st place, photo 7) and Mahsa Hashem (2nd place, photo 8).

Sustainability Cup for her inspiring work in sustainable forest management. A valued team member at Forever Forests, Grace leads indigenous forestry and ETS projects, while actively engaging with landowners and the wider industry through initiatives like Future Foresters and the Wood is Good campaign. Her commitment to science-based stewardship and community engagement earned admiration from both His Royal Highness Prince William and His Majesty King Charles III. FRESTRA Young Forester of the Year – Kendra Monteith Kendra Monteith was named the 2025 FRESTRA Young Forester of the Year. Described by her peers as a magnetic leader and the “glue” of Future Foresters, Kendra has built strong networks, particularly on the East Coast, and inspired a new generation of forestry professionals.

In her day job, she has led critical work in Gisborne, managing the removal of over 500,000m³ of debris from vulnerable catchments. Her blend of operational expertise, environmental focus and empathetic leadership stood out in a competitive field of nominees.

Forester of the Year – Dr Dean Meason The 2025 NZIF Forester of the Year is Dr Dean Meason, recognised for his groundbreaking leadership in forest hydrology. As head of the Forest Flows Research Programme, Dean led the deployment of

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over 1,700 sensors across nine sites to generate over 390 million data points, reshaping our understanding of forests’ role in water management. His team’s work has informed both regional and national policy, engaged communities and iwi, and led to international partnerships including with NASA and the European Space Agency.

Dean’s contribution has had a profound impact on the forestry sector and environmental science in New Zealand.

NZIF President, James Treadwell, who concluded his decade-long tenure at the event, reflected: “It has been an honour and privilege to present these awards over the past 10 years, and to see the emergence of new leaders through awards like the Prince of Wales Cup and Frestra Young Forester of the Year. Our profession continues to evolve, and these awardees embody the excellence, integrity, and forwardthinking approach which will carry forestry into the future.” NZL

BIOMASS, BIOMASS, TECHNOLOGIES, TECHNOLOGIES, INNOVATIONS INNOVATIONS & & MARKETS MARKETS

Biofuels, Biofuels, bioenergy bioenergy and and a a range range of of renewable renewable bioproducts bioproducts increasingly increasingly are are being being added added to the industry’s more traditional wood products.

The economics of better-utilising to the industry’s more traditional wood products. The economics of better-utilising forest forest residues, residues, bin bin wood, wood, offcuts offcuts left left on on landings, landings, short short length length or or malformed malformed logs logs that that won’t won’t meet meet MDF, MDF, pulp-mill pulp-mill or or chip chip export export log log specifications specifications and and sawmill sawmill residues residues are are finally finally starting starting to to stack stack up. up. The The 2025 2025 event event will will build build on on the the technologies technologies and and innovations innovations profiled profiled for for bio-fuel bio-fuel harvesting harvesting and and collection, collection, handling handling and and transport. transport.

Go Go to to our our website website or or scan scan the the code code for for more more infomation. infomation.

www.woodresidues.events www.woodresidues.events

Iron Test

Admiring the Weiler H457 are, from left: Terra Cat’s Wayne Baker and Mark Costello, operator Malcolm Phillips, Iron Tester, Denis Todd, and CMH Contracting owner, Conan Hemsworth.

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Built for

th nn ngs Story & photos: Tim Benseman

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THE FIRST THING WE NOTICE ABOUT CONAN HEMSWORTH’S Weiler H457 harvester is the staunch, oversized, heavy-duty (HD) undercarriage with a discreet zero tail cab and a long 9.91 metre reach. Built for thinnings, that undercarriage is going to be a broad and stable base in amongst the spot mounds.

And Conan has spread his logging career across a broad base as well, starting in Wales manually harvesting thinnings with a chainsaw for a weekly forwarder pick up: “I would chainsaw down the trees, cut them to length and had these tongs which I would use to drag the logs into bunches. Then a tractor with a forwarder trailer run off the tractor PTO would come along and pick up the bunches.”

Hard work for young men and an eye opener as to how things have changed.

When asked how the H457 purchase came about, Conan says, “I needed a good tracked machine that wasn’t too heavy. Sometimes the weight of the machine can damage the roots in the thinnings so weight was a factor, and then it came down to having good balance and speed and the Weiler definitely fits the bill – and I’m a Cat man too.

“This machine went into a new crew along with an older machine we already had and, currently, the Weiler does about 70% of production. The head can’t be heavy either but that’s okay because with lighter heads you have speed.”

The Waratah H424 weighs in at just 1.1 tonnes and is running the TimberRite H16 control and measuring system. Combined with the Weiler, total unit weight is 31.5 tonnes.

Conan’s company, CMH Contracting, has two crews in Kaingaroa with Timberlands and two with Port Blakely, one of which is a ground based crew working on Matakana Island.

“They are a small three-man crew running a Cat harvester and

Above: Regular operator, Malcolm Phillips, and CMH Contracting owner, Conan Hemsworth, are happy with the H457 harvester.

Below, from left: Regular operator, Malcolm Phillips, CMH Contracting owner, Conan Hemsworth, Wayne Baker and Mark Costello from Terra Cat, and Iron Tester, Denis Todd.

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SERIOUS POWER BIG TIME LOGGERS

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LG35192

EST EST 1909 1909 |TOCALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944 894 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY

NEWLY RELEA MK4 HARVESTL

NEWLY RELEASED MK4 HARVESTLINE • • • •

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Greater machine stability without the need for guy lines.

Fully interlocked drums for both uphill and downhill log extraction.

Three operator selectable working modes.

Skyline mode with improved Skyline winch power and braking performance for Shotgun settings.

Improved line speed for quicker cycle times 15% increase in maximum line pull Swinging mast sheaves for swinging wood and simple machine moves.

For all sales enquiries conta Jono Cuff on 021 611 483.

For all sales enquiries contact Jono Cuff on 021 611 483.

LG35192

For all sales enquiries contact Jono Cuff on 021 611 483.

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1: Terra Cat’s Mark Costello with the Weiler/Waratah combo.

2: From left: Terra Cat’s Mark Costello, CMH Contracting owner, Conan Hemsworth, Wayne Baker from Terra Cat and regular operator, Malcolm Phillips, observing the Iron Test.

3: Some of CMH Contracting’s thinnings production in Kaingaroa.

4: The H457 is a slim line house on a broad base with long reach – everything you need for a thinnings harvester.

loader and a Tigercat forwarder. They produce 250 tonnes a day.

That’s a sustainable level of production for the barge that carts log trucks and other traffic to and from the island,” he says.

That barge, the Skookum, is also owned by Port Blakely and plies the waters between Matakana Island and the log port at Tauranga, as well as Sulphur Point for island residents and other island workers. The loads off Matakana are about 60% export at this stage due to the close proximity to the export port.

Conan runs a couple of other Weilers and has also just ordered a

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new self-levelling Weiler to go into thinnings as future work heads into the steeper slopes: “Basically the same as the H457 but the H458 has that tilt option.”

“Away we go” It’s an interesting story how Conan went from manual falling in Wales to owning and running four crews back in New Zealand.

“I’d obviously decided to stay in forestry so I got a job with a crew when I got back. In those days the system was that a feller buncher

would go through and then we would manually trim, so I was trimming and then moved up to operating forwarders… learnt the ropes. Then I was working with Russell Jensen at Jensen Logging.

Russell had a forwarder he wasn’t that impressed with. I thought I could make it work so I offered to contract to him and he agreed.

“So I ended up buying two or three forwarders and a harvester with him and that lasted from about 1998 to 2003 or 2004, and I ended up drifting out and luckily enough got some contracts… did a little bit of woodlotting along the way. I’ve been with Port Blakely

The CMH Contracting load out skid with the Weiler H457 off to work.

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Insert: The Weiler H457 heads back under the canopy to thin some more trees.

Main: The long-reaching Weiler heads back to work.

since about 2010 on Matakana Island and they have got a lot of satellite forests in the Bay of Plenty, so that’s why I bought the hauler. I had a clearfell job with Hancocks, filled in a bit with PF Olsen’s and then managed to pick up the thinnings jobs in Kaingaroa. So I sold a bit of gear, bought a bit of gear and away we go.”

Conan has to think hard about what his favourite bit of gear to run is these days. He almost says it’s a harvester but then he rethinks, “Actually, all of them. I do really like the harvester but then if it gets to be too many days in there, then I enjoy some time in the forwarder or whatever other machine is available. I fill in from time to time when I am needed, and when I’m not needed I do admin and all sorts. I haven’t learnt to operate the hauler yet but it is on my list of things that I want to do.”

That hauler is a Thunderbird 255 swing yarder: “It was rebuilt by Shaw’s and is an awesome little yarder, pulls a sh*t tonne of wood. It’s good.”

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SERIOUS POWER BIG TIME LOGGERS

EST EST 1909 1909 |TOCALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944 894 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 22 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

Join over 200 Forestry contractors increasing Hydraulic Uptime with BOA Hydraulics 0800 20 20 20 | boahydraulics.com

Above: Iron Tester, Denis Todd, heads into a new row to start thinning.

Main: Regular operator, Malcolm Phillips, running the H457 in Kaingaroa.

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EST EST 1909 1909 | TOCALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944944 894894 WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TOCALL NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 24 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

Above from left: The unique boom design of the Weiler H457; The view from the operator’s seat; The lay of the land around the H457 is optimal.

The hauler crew has a Weiler B758 feller buncher and a Weiler skidder and works around Rotorua, Pyes Pa and Matata areas of the Bay – so plenty of variety.

Ultimate comfort Regular Weiler H457 operator, Malcolm Philips, was greatly impressed with all aspects of the new machine when it arrived but one of the standouts for him was operator comfort: “It has great shock absorption features and the seat is just so comfortable. My last machine, I couldn’t wait to get out of the thing at smoko but this one…

I am happy to stay in it all day.”

Malcolm started out doing the hard yards cutting dots in Kaingaroa for Forestry Corporation then moved on to tree falling before starting to get into machines.

“I just started off small in the three-wheeled Bell, got my log handling skills sorted and then worked on bigger loaders and forwarders. Once I got into the harvesters I pretty much kept to them.

I worked in Kaingaroa at Jensen Logging for a while, then I went to work harvesting blue gums in Australia for quite a few years.”

Eventually the call of the homeland had Malcolm heading back home to Reporoa and this job in thinnings with CMH. Compact but great reach The crew is working a few kilometres off the High Level Road on Waipouri Road today with most of their wood going to pulp and local roundwood processors. The trees are fairly finely branched and well formed. It’s always noticeably high-quality tree stock when we visit Kaingaroa.

Terra Cat Forestry Manager, Wayne Baker, and Territory Account Manager, Mark Costello, are on the job today and Mark gives us a briefing on the new machine: “Conan’s H457 has a new boom design for the extra reach required in thinnings and a new design

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one piece front window for maximum visibility and operator comfort.

It’s running 336 HD track gear and has good tractive effort and is on single bar grousers.”

Thinnings are a bit of a conundrum in that you need a compact machine but you also need great reach to get at those faraway trees in the rows.

As well as that great heated and cooled air suspension seat with integrated headrest and joy sticks there is a four-point seatbelt, increased cab space, improved visibility with the reverse slope, one piece and removable front windscreen, a pressurised cab with filtered ventilation, deluxe lights (14 LEDs) and cameras. In a nod to maintaining operator hydration there are three cup holders, as well as two USB sockets and a built-in folder for prescriptions and cut plans.

Some of the other improvements in this H457 include enhanced machine efficiency via dedicated hydraulic pumps for the main tasks, allowing excellent multifunction capabilities along with optimised circuit configurations. The manufacturer also included the ability to reduce foot pedal motions to improve the operator’s efficiency, so it can be run like a skid steer if preferred.

The boom on this machine is unusual in that the underslung single lift ram is mounted right below the underslung top ram. The reach looks impressive.

A big one for harvesting is obviously the unobstructed ground clearance. This track gear looks like it’s off a 40 tonner (the H457 is 30 tonnes) and is sitting nice and high at 832mm. It’s sitting on HD track roller frames and HD rollers. They round out the heavy duty theme with HD recoil mechanisms, HD travel motors and swivel guards.

Driving all of this along is the Caterpillar C9.3 hooked up to pumps totalling a massive 1085L/min. As Iron Tester, Denis Todd, says when he gets out of the machine: “Wow, it’s an angry little thing”.

You can read his story on the next page.

MADE IN CANADA FOR NZ CONDITIONS

EST EST 1909 1909 |TO CALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944 894 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY

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Iron Tester: Denis Todd

Plenty of power ANOTHER JOURNEY INTO THE MIGHTY Kaingaroa Forest, this time to test Conan Hemsworth’s new Weiler H457 running the Waratah H424 in one of his thinning operations. Malcolm Phillips pilots the latest purchase from Terra Cat. Malcolm is a 35-plus-year veteran of driving these types of machines between here and Aussie.

And a quick chat at the start and Malcolm can’t help but rave about the comfort of this new machine and the speed the head works at. Both he and Conan warn me about how fast it puts the trees through before the test. Always a good thing – don’t need any surprises trying another operator’s machine. The H457 is a zero swing excavator designed for a thinning environment, to help fit in the tight lines it works in.

One of the first things to notice is the high chassis – absolutely ideal for getting over the stumps which are quite elevated due to the spot mounds the trees have grown on.

A quick walk around with Malcolm and you can see plenty of lights all around which he assures me are brilliant in the wee hours of the day.

Engine access is very good thanks to the bonnet opening out fully, so you can comfortably check all the fluids with some good, secure footing. Storage space is a bit limited as the new toolbox hasn’t been fitted just yet. Inside the cab is where Malcolm shows me his favourite feature – the seat. He rates it the most comfortable he’s ever had – fully adjustable, heated.

Getting out at the end of the day still feeling fresh has to be good. The layout

1: The right-hand control panel in the H457.

2: The Cat C9.3 engine.

3&4: The huge bonnet gives excellent access for servicing.

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Iron Tester, Denis Todd. of the cab is nice and tidy. The Waratah screen set nice and high in the top corner gives more view out the windows which is so important in this type of work, and the Cat management screen sits at a nice arm’s length reach away. It’s very easy to navigate with the adjustment dials tucked down

5: Rumoured to be the most comfortable seat in the business, according to regular operator, Malcolm Phillips.

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IFICATION

SPEC S WEILER H457 – SPECIFICATIONS ENGINE Cat C9.3 Litre, 6 cylinder Diesel Gross Power

Ground Clearance Track Length 298HP 222KW

HYDRAULICS Max Flow

1085L/min

832mm 4868mm

BOOM Max Reach Lift at max reach

9.91m 5031kg

REFILL CAPACITIES (LITRES) Fuel Tank Engine Oil Hydraulic System

819 40L 302L

UNDERCARRIAGE Size Tractive Effort

the right side of the hand controls. The screen turns to a reverse camera when the pedals are activated – great, clear camera to see what obstacles may be around. The front window is a full clear screen which makes vision absolutely brilliant and is also another option of access in and out of the cab, with a door handle at the base to open and close if needed. There’s lots of window space used in the door too. All valuable assets for thinnings.

The control levers are adjustable for height, to help get those controls just where you like them positioned.

Day in, day out After one more run through on watching the speed of the head, I head out to test the wee beast.

Track speed is nice and steady – after a few quick turns you can feel there’s plenty of power there for whatever is required.

Due to the nature of thinning in Kaingaroa, there shouldn’t be many tests for the track

336HD HEX 31229 KGF

WARATAH H424 Weight Cutting capacity Delimbing knives 4 moving, 2 fixed Chain type

gear – just climbing the odd mound here and there. The slew speed is brilliant on the Weiler – smooth and fast when needed.

The boom and dipper is another big item on the H457 – designed nice and long so the machine can reach through the rows of trees with ease to get to the far trees. Working nice and smoothly from the controls, it quickly reaches where needed and closes right up beside the cab to help in the tight spots. The engine doesn’t even skip a beat moving the boom in and out.

Plenty of power.

The Waratah 424 HTH is a very small head at first sight compared to other heads out there in thinnings. But what a powerful unit it is. Checking the saw, it runs the 404 chainsaw chain which comes out of the saw box at a rapid rate and returns just as quickly. This model of head is not a 360 rotation model, so Malcolm says you just have to pay a tad more attention not to over-rotate the head.

Grabbing a tree, you have to double

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check the height of the cut as the high mounds give a false idea of where the low point is – and I don’t really want to give Malcolm a blunt chain after. The saw screams through the tree in a blink of an eye and off we go to trim… and there’s the speed of the head I was told about driving the tree through at an amazing rate. Best estimate from the guys was above the sixsecond-a-meter mark… a quick run back to trim the end and set the computer loose on measuring, very quickly shoots to the mark, a quick cut and off again to the next.

Definitely no shortage of hydraulic power running this head from the Weiler.

Moving between the trees, the Weiler tracks and boom all work together in a smooth unison with no sign of bogging the engine down. A good combination when you’re having to cut a good 500-plus a day as Malcolm does .

And as long as the man’s comfortable in his seat, the Weiler H457 will keep this up day in, day out. NZL

Plan now for erosion-prone forestry land Get practical, expert-backed advice tailored to Tairāwhiti, on transitioning your erosion-prone land to permanent cover.

There’s guidance for forestry land use: • Transition with harvest • Transition without harvest

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Download the Transition Guidelines Scan the QR code or go to gdc.govt.nz

Log Haulage

Data-driven h

How technology is stream l Story: Simon Rush, Demand Manager, Trimble Field Systems

Integrated technology, coordinated logistics, and long-term forest management deliver performance and productivity at Moturoa/Rabbit Island Forest.

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n harvesting

m lining forest operations

The Rabbit Island tree harvest is a smooth operation.

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Log Haulage

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N THE TASMAN DISTRICT NEAR NELSON, PF Olsen is running a high-efficiency harvesting operation at the Moturoa/ Rabbit Island Forest. The block, owned by the Tasman District Council, has been under PF Olsen’s management for nearly three decades. Currently, harvesting efforts are producing around 300 tonnes per day, using a four-machine crew – feeding a network of domestic mills including Kaituna Sawmill, Taylor Timbers and Southward Export in Motueka, as well as export customers.

Josh Tansey, Senior Harvest Manager for PF Olsen’s Nelson office, oversees the operation.

About the forest The Moturoa Forest was originally planted in the early 1900’s across 1,000 hectares.

Initially developed for erosion control, the forest now supports multiple uses including commercial timber production and public recreation. It features sandy subsoils with a high water table and minimal topsoil, making for a low-risk, high-growth environment. Trees exhibit excellent height, diameter, and are windfirm – traits Josh attributes to the soil profile and consistent access to groundwater.

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In recent years, the site has also incorporated a biosolids programme. As Nelson Tasman’s regional sewage facility reached capacity, treated biosolids began being applied to young stands.

“This application has increased volume yield by up to 25%,” says Josh. “The extra nutrients encourage growth, supporting a tighter stocking and higher overall volumes at harvest.”

Contractor operations and products Troy Andrews Contracting (TAC), a smaller woodlot harvesting crew, is conducting the field work. TAC is relatively new to PF Olsen’s contractor network but has proven adaptable across multiple jobs.

The site is managed under a prune regime. The first six to seven meters of each stem is pruned to produce clearwood for high-value appearance-grade sawmills including the OneFortyOne Kaituna Sawmill, Taylor Timbers and Southward Export in Motueka.

Above the pruned section, logs are sorted for structural or utility uses.

Domestic-grade logs with desirable knot size and form are delivered to local processors such as Nelson Pine Industries (LVL production), Carter Holt Harvey,

Above: PF Olsen Senior Harvest Manager, Josh Tansey.

Below: Loading operations at Rabbit Island.

2026 THIRD ANNUAL FORESTRY CUSTOMER TRIP

EXC

FIORDLAND ADVENTURE HUNTING

DIVING

FISHING

HOW TO QUALIFY FOR THE TRIP To qualify for a ticket to join our exclusive annual Terra Fiordland Adventure Trip in April 2026, you must purchase one of the below Cat® or Weiler forestry units within the specified period. Available only while selected stocks last, so be quick and secure one of the ten exclusive spaces.

CAT 500-SERIES FOREST MACHINES

528 538 548 558 568 WEILER FORESTRY PRODUCTS

Wheel skidders Track feller bunchers

0800 93 39 39 | terracat.co.nz T&Cs apply: Valid from 21 July – 31 December 2025. There is a maximum of two ticketed trip attendees per company if two eligible machines or more are purchased by that company. Tickets cannot be transferred unless with prior approval from Terra Cat. To qualify you must purchase one of the selected first 10 x new Cat or Weiler forestry units available. The qualifying machines are Weiler Next Generation Skidders and Feller Bunchers, Cat 528, 538, 548, 558 and 568 Forest Machines. This Fiordland trip package is not redeemable for cash. Terra Cat is responsible for the costs incurred for the Fiordland charter tour including transfers from and to Queenstown. This excludes travel arrangements to Queenstown from within New Zealand, and accommodation in Te Anau and Queenstown which is to be paid for by each attendee.

LUS

10 PL IVE AVA ACES ILAB WHE LE SEL N PURC ECT HA EQU ED FO SING RES IPM T E TER NT FRO RY RA C M AT

Log Haulage

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South Pine and Eurocell Wood Products.

“Any lower-grade or unallocated material is carted to Nelson Port for export,” Josh says. “We aim to optimise grade recovery by matching product specs to the best-suited customer.”

Nelson Pine also receives low-grade logs for use in MDF manufacturing.

Integrated dispatch Dispatching is handled by Borlase Transport, a regional carrier with in-house dispatch systems fully integrated with Trimble technology (see following article).

This enables real-time visibility and adjustments, to manage daily, weekly and monthly deliveries versus product targets.

“We use Trimble to track movements, confirm loading status, and make proactive decisions,” says Josh. “If a truck leaves, I know when the next one is due. It helps us maintain consistent uplift with minimal wait time.”

This real-time access is essential when managing delivery to multiple sawmills with varying capacity and intake schedules. “Our main KPI is delivery consistency. Trimble’s integration with Borlase lets us manage that daily, weekly and monthly.”

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Operational success For Josh, operational success is defined by system visibility and minimal interruption: “A good day means no unexpected phone calls. I monitor status five or six times a day, and if everything is running to plan, it means we’re delivering value to all parties – contractors, mills and the client.”

PF Olsen’s relationship with Borlase has been built on consistent delivery and adaptability, he adds: “Their dispatcher, Murray Newport, does a great job balancing resources and responding to challenges in the field. We’ve worked together to ensure even truck flow and efficient utilisation of harvest output.”

PF Olsen is New Zealand’s only nationally operating private forest management company, with a 52-year legacy. The company manages everything from nursery propagation through to harvest and logistics, with operations in both New Zealand and in the green triangle of South Australia and Victoria and in Western Australia.

At Rabbit Island, PF Olsen manages multiple objectives: commercial yield, council revenue, recreational value, and community engagement. PF Olsen, alongside the Tasman District council has

5

4

1: Troy Andrews of Troy Andrews Contracting.

2: Trimble WSX dispatch software helps manage inventory control.

3: Machine operator for Troy Andrews Contracting, Ben Stratford.

4: Felling operations in action at Rabbit Island, Nelson.

5: Harvest operations at Rabbit Island.

August 2025 | NZ LOGGER 35

Log Haulage

also hosted firewood events to support local charities using waste material cut into rounds. The most recent event raised $10,000 each for Nelson Tasman Hospice and Women’s Refuge, and provided cheap firewood to the community at $100 per trailer.

Benefits all round The Moturoa operation illustrates how modern forestry benefits from coordinated logistics, clear product pathways and integrated technology. With Trimble providing the real-time data flow, PF Olsen and Borlase Transport ensure optimal log flow, reduced downtime and improved client value.

For forest managers considering how to enhance operational performance, the Rabbit Island workflow shows how technology-enabled coordination can deliver both economic, community and environmental benefits.

Above and below: A good day means delivering value to all partners – contractors, mills and the client.

36 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

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Log Haulage

Optimising log tra n Story: Simon Rush, Demand Manager, Trimble Field Systems

B

ORLASE TRANSPORT LTD (BTL), headquartered in Nelson, operates one of the most diverse and specialised log transport fleets in New Zealand. Since its founding in 1977, the company has evolved into a key logistics provider for both corporate forest owners and private woodlot managers across the top half of the South Island, including Marlborough and the West Coast.

BTL’s operational model is based on flexibility, safety and data-driven logistics.

These factors have enabled the company to scale significantly while maintaining control over service delivery, compliance and performance.

Fleet growth and configuration Since 2015, BTL has expanded its fleet from 13 to 46 log trucks. The fleet includes a mix of Scania, Kenworth, Volvo, Western Star, Freightliner, DAF and Mitsubishi vehicles.

This approach allows BTL to match truck configuration to terrain, volume and sitespecific loading constraints.

The primary configuration across the fleet is a nine-axle unit (a four-axle tractor with a five-axle trailer), capable of operating up to 58 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM). BTL also maintains lighter units – three-axle trailers paired with lighter tractors – for sites where loader capacity or skid layout limits truck weight or length.

BTL also operates a six-wheel drive 6X6 Man which is utilised in two-staging operations and is road legal to uplift a load at the end of the day and deliver to a customer destination. They also have a purpose-built 730 Cat dumper with a custom-built deck where the logs are loaded horizontal to the deck which allows for a quicker turn-around by tipping the wood off in a two-staging operation.

Lastly, there’s a multi-unit for short Hiab

C3 operations log measurement and tagging at Port Nelson.

38 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

chip. It has a convertible unit for long postwood and pole deliveries and a two-bin truck and trailer unit with a Hiab crane mounted for self-loading. This means that BTL has flexibility for customers and can provide an array of solutions.

Dispatch and operations management BTL uses Trimble Forestry’s integrated logistics system to help manage dispatch, tracking and data collection. All trucks in the fleet are GPS-enabled and transmit live location, payload and delivery information.

“Our customers have access to live uplift and tracking of our vehicles, with the help of Trimble,” says BTL Business Manager, Steve Borlase.

Dispatchers use Trimble’s platform to allocate jobs dynamically, adjusting routes and priorities based on operational constraints such as mill capacity, skid availability and driver hours.

“We can access real-time data on uplift

a nsport operations status, load weights, and delivery timing,” says Steve.

The system replaced a previously manual, phone and RT-based approach and has enabled BTL to scale operations without a proportional increase in backoffice staff.

“As we grew from 13 trucks in 2015 to 46 trucks in 2025, we required a system that would ease pressure from our operational staff, and we needed a system that would seamlessly integrate into our existing processes. Trimble could provide this solution. For us it is also about the product support and back up we receive from the suppliers we partner with. BTL takes a long-term approach to business and wants to form relationships with like-minded organisations that put the same emphasis on sustainability as we do,” says Steve.

In addition, electronic docketing and automated load verification have improved

accuracy and efficiency across the business.

Drivers use a voiceless in-cab, electronic docket solution, which reduces manual interaction and errors, and enables faster processing of deliveries and invoices.

For forest owners and harvesting contractors, the system delivers improved traceability and inventory visibility. Realtime uplift data allows better planning of harvest operations, reduces overstock at skids, and supports alignment between harvest rates and haulage capacity.

for system improvements rather than individual blame. BTL reports that all staff are encouraged to raise concerns or stop work if conditions appear unsafe.

This approach supports continuous improvement in operational procedures and risk management.

Driver training, fatigue management, and vehicle maintenance are also central to BTL’s safety framework. Trimble technologies integrated data, along with site geofencing, provides additional oversight.

Safety systems BTL has maintained a strong safety record and was one of the first two companies in New Zealand to achieve five-star certification under the Log Transport Safety Council (LTSC) contractor audit scheme in 2019. The company continues to maintain this certification.

Safety management is built around “a just culture”, where incidents are analysed

BTL runs a mixed fleet of Scania, Kenworth, Volvo, Western Star, Freightliner, DAF, and Mitsubishi vehicles.

August 2025 | NZ LOGGER 39

Log Haulage

Capacity management and collaboration

Measurable benefits

Long-term operational strategy

Log transport in New Zealand is subject to frequent volume fluctuations due to export market demand, port restrictions and weather events. BTL manages these variables through close coordination with clients and the ability to reallocate trucks in real time based on priority loads.

Where capacity limits are reached, BTL relies on trusted subcontractors to extend capability without compromising service standards.

These relationships are reciprocated when conditions are reversed, enabling collaborative fleet balancing across the sector.

Daily communications between dispatchers, harvest planners, and receiving sites ensure alignment across the supply chain. The Trimble platform provides the visibility needed to make rapid decisions based on current conditions, not outdated paper schedules.

BTL cites several quantifiable benefits from the implementation of Trimble Forestry solutions: • Reduced administration load: Automated docketing and data entry reduced reliance on manual processing and enabled administrative scaling without hiring additional staff.

• Improved fleet utilisation: Live tracking and dispatch tools reduce non-revenue kilometres and empty running.

• Enhanced customer transparency: Real-time tracking and digital access for customers improve confidence and engagement.

Operational consistency: The platform ensures uniformity in load reporting, trip documentation, and compliance management across the fleet.

Looking forward, BTL plans to maintain its focus on flexibility, safety and digital optimisation.

The company does not compete on lowest rates, but rather on the basis of reliability, performance data, and compliance, says Steve.

“With ongoing changes in emissions regulations, driver availability, and customer expectations, we see our investment in diversified fleet assets and integrated software as core to remaining competitive,” he adds.

“Our adoption of Trimble Forestry tools has positioned us to manage complexity at scale while maintaining a high standard of service. As the demands of the log transport sector evolve, we expect digital systems and integrated fleet management to become standard practice across the industry. Trimble Forestry has become an integral part of our business. Our experience with Trimble has been a positive one,” he says. NZL

Above and below: BTL runs digital systems and integrated fleet management across its fleet.

40 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

Worker Wellness

WORK SMARTER, NOT H TO REDUCE FATIGUE Story: Joe Akari, CEO Safetree/FISC

42 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

T HARDER,

F

ATIGUE IS A BIG RISK IN FORESTRY, especially for manual tree-fallers.

Fatigue can hurt because tired people are more likely to make poor decisions. So, it’s really important to manage fatigue and there are many different ways to do that.

Recently we caught up with Alan Paulson, to talk about how he manages the risk of fatigue in his manual felling crew. Alan, who owns Tairāwhiti Timber Training, is a Safetree certified faller himself and runs a specialist manual felling crew that employs three other fallers. Alan also assesses workers for the Safetree certification scheme, so he knows his stuff.

His approach to managing the risk of fatigue for himself and his crew focuses on working smarter not harder. It includes investing in different equipment, restricting working hours, backing workers to stop when they need to, and working with good clients that support his approach.

Alan says he and the crew are constantly on the lookout for different types of equipment or new ways of working that will help reduce fatigue.

For example, they now work with lighter, smaller saws that have been modified for more power. The crew run Stihl 500 chainsaws that have been ported – modified with things like aftermarket filters and exhausts to give that extra bit of power.

The crew finds these light, more powerful saws are great for getting around the hills.

They also use longer, lighter bars. This means that on steeper faces they can do all their cuts from one side of the tree. This is safer, Alan says, because often they’re working in big timber where they can’t easily get up and walk around the tree.

“Having a lighter saw with more power and a bigger bar can make a big difference to the amount of energy a faller uses up when working on a steep face,” he says.

The saws are also relatively resilient – Alan says he’s averaging two to three years out of the ported saws without any problems.

The crew has also opted to use axes instead of hammers. A lot of kiwi fallers use a four-pound hammer, but Alan says the advantage of swapping to a four-pound axe is that when a faller needs to hit on a wedge, the axe has a long handle meaning there’s more force behind the swing.

“The change has been a big help in reducing fatigue. Also, the way the axe sits on the faller’s belt means they hardly notice them there,” he says.

Crew member, Ben Hohepa, ready for action.

August 2025 | NZ LOGGER 43

Worker Wellness

When the crew is doing high-risk jobs, like working in windthrow, they work in pairs and need to be able to communicate easily. So they use helmets with Protos Bluetooth headsets that enable instant direct communication between the workers.

Taking the pressure off

Above: Timberrr!

Below: Tairāwhiti Timber Training’s Alan Paulson (left) with crew member Ben Hohepa.

44 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

“All these small improvements in weight and ways of working enable the crew to work faster and more easily, which not only reduces fatigue, but makes them more productive,” Alan says.

That improvement in productivity has enabled him to limit working time on the saws to a maximum of six-and-a-half hours, further reducing the risk of fatigue.

It’s also meant he’s been able to maintain their income despite limiting hours on the saw. Alan says he pays his guys door-to-door and guarantees them a minimum 36 hours a week regardless of when they work. As a result, there are no financial drivers for them to keep working when they shouldn’t, because they know

they’ll still get paid a decent wage.

Alan believes that planning is a big contributor to managing fatigue. In his experience, if a block isn’t planned well and the crew doesn’t have enough time to fell the trees, they can end up feeling under pressure to go faster. He says he’s lucky that all his clients understand that the crew needs to be given enough time to bring the trees down safely.

“I always try to get my crew into a block to cut the steep areas before the machinery arrives so the terrain isn’t headed-up. There have been occasional instances when my guys have walked off a site because it’s been badly headed-up and I’ve backed their action 100%. I don’t want them doing anything that puts them at risk.”

Alan’s commitment to safety is partly driven by his own personal experience of a forestry fatality earlier in his career.

He says it’s not something you ever get over. He strongly encourages a culture of professionalism within his crew that reflects the fact that they are highly skilled

people doing a high-risk job. His crew understand the risk posed by fatigue and if they feel tired or unwell they won’t go down the hill. His message to them is – if you’re not happy, don’t do it.

Better ways of working Although these days he isn’t always down the hill falling with his crew, he still gets personally involved in working with the crew to make sure there are controls in place to manage the risks.

“Another key aspect in managing fatigue is for the fallers to ‘manage themselves’.

By that I mean looking after themselves at work and at home, so they have good hydration, decent food and good rest. I see firsthand that my fallers always go down the hill with a good nutritious lunch.”

Alan’s a believer in encouraging his crew to think about better ways of working. They meet every Monday afternoon and it’s an open book discussion where anyone can suggest ideas for doing something differently. If it works, it works, and if it

doesn’t no one worries about it.

Alan says feedback from the crew is that they love this approach and wouldn’t go back to how they were doing it before.

Alan and one of his crew, Ben Hohepa, are supporting Safetree’s work to manage the risks of manual felling in forestry. Alan talks about his approach to managing fatigue in Safetree videos shared on the website and social media. Both Ben and Alan also feature in videos talking about the Five Step Falling Plan.

Safetree’s increased focus on manual felling was prompted by data showing that manual felling is forestry’s biggest critical risk (See NZ Logger December 2024/January 2025). In the five years to 2024, eight of the 13 fatalities in forestry involved a manual tree faller. What’s more, a manual tree-faller is 300 times more likely to be killed at work than the average Kiwi worker. * Watch the videos on the Safetree website at: www.safetree.nz/resources/managingfatigue-in-forestry. NZL

Above: Crew member, Ben Hohepa, holding an axe which the crew finds allows for more force than a hammer.

Below: Ben's kit. Modified chainsaws give that extra bit of power.

August 2025 | NZ LOGGER 45

FICA.ORG.NZ

your voice The voice of forestry contractors since 2002

FICA Input Shapes Practical Slash Management Guidance for Steep Hill Country In collaboration with MPI, FICA has played a pivotal role in the development of the Managing Slash on Steep Hill Country Harvesting Operations Manual. This targeted manual offers a practical, operational tool designed to support contractors, forest managers and regulators in managing slash risk in challenging terrain.

FICA’s feedback focused on improving usability and aligning guidance with field realities — especially for contractors whose primary concern is managing slash during active harvesting.

Recognising that lengthy technical documentation often goes unread in operational environments, FICA advocated for a condensed version of the more comprehensive Slash Risk Management Handbook (released August 2024).

This contractor-focused edition distils key recommendations and risk mitigation strategies into accessible, actionable content.

A critical addition, driven by FICA’s input, is a clear emphasis on responsibility and communication within harvest planning.

Contractors repeatedly encounter scenarios where expectations shift mid-job — often without contractual clarity or adequate resources — leading to rushed work

and compromised safety. FICA pushed for upfront clarity through job prescriptions, contract schedules, and pre-harvest briefings.

The latest draft now places stronger accountability on forest owners and harvesting managers to clearly define roles, outcomes and slash management protocols before a job starts.

The new manual details essential components such as: •

responsibility handovers between earthworks and harvesting contractors;

•

site-specific guidance on slash containment and disposal;

•

requirements for designated storage areas, cutover clearance, and waterway protection; and

•

post-harvest rehabilitation procedures tied to final site sign-off.

This operational guidance underscores the need for robust planning, transparent communication and practical decisionmaking that reflects on-the-ground realities. FICA’s efforts have helped ensure that contractors are not just informed, but empowered — with clear expectations, defined responsibilities and tools to manage risk effectively.

This document is in the final draft stages — we will share the final document when it is ready at: www.fica.org.nz/blog

Want to listen to this Logger Mag update from FICA instead of reading it?

See our website to learn how: www.fica.org.nz/logger-mag 46 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

t

FICA.ORG.NZ

4557_TLCInsurance__ LoggerMag_FICAAdvert_July25.indd 1

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AI and Wearable Tech - Step Change in Managing Manual Tree Falling FICA is proud to announce a groundbreaking initiative that has received universal support across the industry — leveraging AI and wearable technology to transform the management of manual tree falling.

ADDRESSING THE UNSEEN RISKS

Manual tree falling remains one of the most hazardous tasks in forestry. While audits can confirm a faller’s competence, the real challenge lies in what happens when no one is watching — 99% of the time. Tragically, many incidents occur when critical safety rules are breached, often by experienced fallers.

Recognising this, FICA has been exploring innovative ways to enhance oversight, safety and training for fallers working in remote and challenging environments.

THE VISION: REAL-TIME MONITORING AND AI INTEGRATION Inspired by conversations with contractors like Nick Tombleson, the proposed solution involves:

This system would not only support real-time monitoring and management but also enhance training and incident investigation — similar to how Autosense has revolutionised safety in trucking.

CONNECTIVITY ALREADY IN PLACE

•

Helmet/body-mounted cameras: forward and top-mounted to capture visual data;

•

Wearable biometric devices: tracking heart rate, respiration, skin temperature, blood oxygen levels, movement, posture and fatigue;

Many contractors are already using localised Starlink setups in forests, making real-time data transmission a viable option.

•

AI-powered analysis: interpreting data in real time to detect unsafe behaviours — such as not looking up, skipping escape routes, or deviating from the five-step method — and sending alerts to supervisors; and

•

Hazard detection: future extensions could include AI glasses to identify environmental hazards.

NEXT STEPS: COLLABORATIVE DEVELOPMENT

FICA believes the best path forward is a collaborative effort involving select forest owners, FICA members and manufacturers, similar to the successful SSH initiative.

A meeting is being planned to bring these stakeholders together and chart a course for development. Stay tuned for updates as we move from concept to implementation.

save the date

SPOTLIGHT on SAFETY AND FI CA AGM

26 AU G U ST 2025 PALMERSTON NORTH

REGISTER AT FICA.ORG.NZ

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FICA Partners TIER 1 - PRUNED

Thank you to all of the organisations who support FICA, which in turn works to promote business growth and improved safety and efficiency amongst forestry contractors for the benefit of New Zealand’s Forestry Industry.

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Safety/performance/quality

When it finally stops r YOU’VE GOT TO FEEL FOR THE FOLK IN THE top of the South Island with the rain and wind that has caused the recent damage to forests and infrastructure.

Again, a case of weather patterns saturating the ground, then following up with further rain and wind events that see already saturated sites finally overloaded and relenting to nature’s onslaught.

While assessments are still being undertaken in the North Island, we’ve included some photographs of the crew at Swain Logging, visited on a cracker of a day in Southland.

The best way to keep our industry working is to get out and support those businesses that support New Zealand.

Participating companies

Awesome companies, awesome people and awesome support!

They back you and your workmates to succeed as professionals, so why wouldn’t you support them?

They believe in what we do and what you do.

So, a big ongoing thank you to our Strategic Partners – STIHL and NZ Logger and sponsor SWAZI.

This competition wouldn’t be what it is without our participating companies who have all participated in or continue to influence the way in which we operate.

We understand the commitment it takes from them to be part of Top Spot and value their ongoing support and feedback.

Our ongoing thanks to: Rayonier/ Matariki Forests, Wenita Forest Products, Ernslaw One, OneFortyOne New Zealand, Crown Forestry, Forest View Contracting, Makerikeri Silviculture (2020), Mitchell Silviculture, Puklowski Silviculture,

Caption

Caption

Sponsors – they don’t have to do this but they choose to!

Jeremy Stuart.

50 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

Gutsell Forestry Services, Johnson Forestry Services, McHoull Contracting, Wayne Cumming Contracting, Howard Forestry Services, Inta-Wood Forestry, Heslip Forest Contracting, Otautau Contractors, X Men Forestry, Proforest Services, FM Silviculture, Tane Mahuta, Waikato Forestry Services, Rai Valley Silviculture, Thomassen Logging, Forest View Logging, Griffin Logging, Penetito Forestry, Pride Forestry, Mangoihe Logging, CMH Contracting, Kaha Logging, Roxburgh Contracting, Te Waa Logging, Mike Hurring Logging, Bluewood Logging, Storm Logging, Onward Logging, Down and Out Logging, Forest Pro Logging, Eastside Logging, Lahar Logging, Moutere Logging, JD Harvesting, Whisker Logging, Kimberly Logging, Dewes Contractors, Dempsey Logging, Aratu Forests, McCallum Harvesting and Swain Logging.

Into safety?

Into performance?

Into quality?

Contact Shane Perrett on 0274 781 908, 07 348 3037 or at primefm@xtra.co.nz. NZL

Caption

Safety/performance/quality

s raining and blowing

Aaron (Shorty) Dickson.

Connor Egerton.

Blair (Nutter) Campbell.

Lyle Swain.

David (Scrub) Thompson.

August 2025 | NZ LOGGER 51

NEW MACHINERY FOR STIRLING LOGGING Gavin and Chrystal Edmonds at Stirling Logging have taken delivery of a Weiler B758 track feller buncher to assist in the growth of their East Coast operation. Featuring a Woodsman Pro DFH 1350 felling head, the unit is Stirling’s first purpose-built Weiler unit. Machine sold by Mark Costello from Terra Cat.

JOHN DEERE FOR FAST HARVESTING Fast Harvesting Crew 34 has taken delivery of a new John Deere 859MH. It is set up with a Satco 630E and is working in Kinleith Forest.

TWO CATS FOR ROTORUA FOREST HAULAGE Tony Sargison at Rotorua Forest Haulage has recently added two Next Generation Cat 966 wheel loaders into the operation. One new 966 (left) features an Ensign bucket which, when combined with the Next Gen loader features, is well suited to handle the large chip volumes at KPP in Kaingaroa. The second 966 features Ensign log forks and is handling logs at the same facility. Next Gen features that are impressing are the joystick steering and increased cab visibility, both of which the loader operators say add to their productivity. Machines sold by Mark Costello from Terra Cat.

ELECTRIC INNOVATION AT PERMAPINE Permapine has recently introduced a new Volvo L120H electric wheel loader into its 24/7 operation. This marks a step for ward in sustainable equipment use within a high-demand environment.

With the appropriate infrastructure installed on site, the loader is able to operate continuously in the 24-hour processes, charging efficiently between treatment cycles. The team has noted how smooth and responsive the new machine is in operation. Deliver y and handover of the machine were carried out by Ewen Satherley from TDX.

August 2025 | NZ LOGGER 53

NEW CAT FOR CENTRAL CABLE YARDING Tom Marshall and Paul Olsen have added a new Next Gen 558 forest machine to their Central Cable Yarding operation.

Showcasing a Satco 3L2T processor, the 558 is working in the Greenplan Forest in the King Country. Machine sold by Mark Costello from Terra Cat.

NEW MACHINERY FOR OCEAN VIEW LOGGING It’s all go for the Ocean View Logging team with the commissioning of their latest purchase – a Satco 3L2T with the Logmaker Control System fitted on a weekend to an existing Komatsu PC400 to minimise downtime.

WEILER/WOODSMAN PRO COMBO FOR TOMBLESON LOGGING This Weiler B758 track feller buncher is a new arrival for Nick Tombleson at Tombleson Logging. Featuring a Woodsman Pro DFH 1350 felling head, the B758 replaces an older Cat 325, with the purpose-built levelling machine providing the added advantages of increased ground clearance, better stability and enhanced all-round performance. Working in Kinleith Forest, the machine was sold by Terra Cat Territory Account Manager, Mark Costello.

NEW MACHINERY FOR GIBBS LOGGING

NEW CAT FOR SCOTT LOGGING

Holden, Maddy and the team at Gibbs Logging have taken delivery of a new Sany SY305H, fully fitted with an EMS traction line winch. This machine joins the crew in the Bay of Plenty, where they are also running a Madill 124 rebuilt by the team at Shaw’s. Machine sold and serviced by Shaw’s.

Scott Logging’s Henry Scott has added a Cat 548 forest machine into his operation in the Opotiki region. It features a quick hitch tilt bucket, thumb and grapple to perform a variety of tasks including road building and shovel logging. Machine sold by Rotorua-based Terra Cat territory Account Manager, Mark Costello.

54 NZ LOGGER | August 2025

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August 2025 | NZ LOGGER 55

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$8839.00*

$13,000.00*

626,625,624 drive roller kit $5,500

626 re-edging kit $2,000

¾ Chain 50FT roll $650

Grapple Rotators Starting from $3,500

Harvester chain sharpening and bar straightening service.

Quality equipment and competitive rates.

Availa

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NOW!e

*Prices exclude GST and limited time for the month of this publication

24/7 phone 0800 492 728 or +6 47 343 1550

Distributors of:

Komatsu

PC400HL

Xtreme Excavators

PC400HD

The Komatsu Extreme models have been developed by collaboration between Komatsu Forest & Komatsu Osaka Factory to meet our tough forest conditions.

Komatsu Forest Pty Ltd 15C Hyland Cresent Rotorua, New Zealand Paul Roche M: 021 350 747 Hayden McCulloch M: 027 213 1168 E: info.au@komatsuforest.com