NZ Logger August 2026

August 2026 | 9.50

LETHAL

ISSN 2703-6251

WEAPON

Timber, honey, sheep

Charged for loading

Iron Test

LETHAL WEAPON Story & photos: Tim Benseman

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THE THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER SUPPLIER TOTO NEW TO NEW NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 16 NZ LOGGER | August 2026

H&R Harvesting’s Operator, Johnson Hubbard, is happy with his quick new harvesting head.

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THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER TO NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY

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Tall Timber

Ninety-year-old John Wardle has seen huge changes over his time in the industry.

He credits his days as a forest labourer in Southland as the time he learnt the most.

Story: Dawn Adams

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T’S 72 YEARS SINCE JOHN WARDLE began his career in forestry. And it would be fair to say he’s seen a lot of change over that time.

Brought up in Hāwea Flat, Central Otago as part of an extended family of farmers, it made sense that he would look for an outdoor job. Finishing school at 18, John

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secured an opportunity as a forest labourer in Southland.

“I was lucky to gain experience in a range of forestry activities including horse extraction of small forest material, pruning with long-handled saws, cable logging and planting,” he says.

At one stage he was put in charge of

a planting gang in what was the newlyestablished Rankleburn Forest. At the time, the operation was overseen by the District Conservator along with head foresters “who knew most of their staff from the latestemployed Red 130 [labourer]” right up to management. John recalls the Conservator he worked under with a smile and says he

listened to the opinions of each of the crew “from the bottom up, as well as the top down” when thinking about policy.

When John and his wife Rosalie were married, they were even invited for a celebratory whisky in the Conservator’s office.

“There was a personal touch right through the system. You know, we’ve lost that, I think – to the detriment of forest management in general.”

Reflecting on his stint as a labourer, John credits it as being the time he learned the most about forestry. It created a good

foundation for his career, which has taken him through academia, government roles and on to manage his own 120ha block, Woodside, at Mt Oxford in Canterbury.

“I got all that experience right early on, and I think that’s probably why I wanted to stay with forestry.”

Neglected block with potential John, 90, and Rosalie, 87, bought Woodside for a song in 1973. It was derelict land at that stage. Half was regenerating Black Beech following logging and then fires in the 1890s – the other half was overrun with

gorse and scrub, being seasonally grazed by around 50 sheep.

“We had no money,” he says, “but we were lucky, we managed to afford to buy the block. We had no debts except to pay for bringing in the electricity to the site.”

John knew what Woodside could become with a bit of time and effort.

“Because of my forestry background, and my experience with beech forests, I saw some potential, especially as we were able to undertake the work ourselves every holiday, every Christmas, from the ages of 37 and 34 respectively.”

Far left: John Wardle with the NZFFA Group in 2013.

Photo: Nick Ledgard.

Above: Black Beech regeneration is thinned and pruned to produce a highquality crop. Photo: David Evison – School of Forestry.

Left: Black Beech sawlogs ready for dispatch to a specialist small scale sawmiller.

Photo: Timbers of New Zealand.

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SKIDDER ALREADY HARD AT WORK

ANOTHR CAT FOR QUBE

Ron and Koro of KTM Logging recently acquired of a new Tigercat 635H skidder. Already hard at work in their Central North Island high-production stems operation, the 635H is handling 20+ tonne drags with Tigercat’s known performance and reliability. Thanks to KTM Logging for choosing CablePrice and Tigercat. Sold and delivered by Brent Van Der Burg, Sales Specialist – Forestry.

This Next Generation Cat 982 XE wheel loader is a recent addition for Qube at the Port of Tauranga. Featuring Ensign log forks, this log loader is performing rail and general log fleeting duties. It joins other Cat 982-size loaders for Qube, with features designed to allowing the operator to complete more payloads in less time.

Sold by Mark Costello from Terra Cat.

NEW SANY FOR MANA LOGGING

NEXT GEN CAT FOR TUMEKE LOGGING

The team at Mana Logging Gisborne has taken delivery of a Sany SY305H high and wide. This machine is complete with a full PFS Rops frame and guarding package and is fitted with Duxson heel and grapple combo. Sold and serviced by Shaw’s.

Paige and Daniel of Tumeke Loggers have taken delivery of a Next Generation Cat 558LL forest machine. With a Waratah processor and featuring a rear entry cab for additional operator visibility and safety, the 558 is working in Tumeke’s Southland operation.

Operator, Jingles, loves the stability, power and vision of the new processor base. Sold by Terra Cat’s Jayden Peek.

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