February/March 2001
Govt. Backs
Processing
Strategy
A genuine dialogue is
r Anderton described the
developing between
M
Government and the forest
the ripest opportunities for
industry. Deputy Prime
New Zealand's economic
Minister Jim Anderton’s
development", adding that
Wood Processing Strategy
Steering Group (see also In
My View, page 2)
spearheads an attempt to
forge closer links. He
chaired the group’s
wood industry as "one of
better wood processing held
the potential to unlock vast
opportunities from our forestry
resources.
"The Government is
inaugural meeting with
committed to working in
eight sector people.
partnership with the forest
industry to remove the
obstacles to further wood
New Zealand Forestry Bulletin
is published by the New Zealand Forest
Owners Association,
processing in New Zealand.
Every raw log shipped
85 The Terrace, PO Box 1208, Wellington
Telephone 0-4-473 4769 Fax 0-4-499 8893
overseas is an economic failure.
Email [email protected]
We have to turn them into
Internet www.nzfoa.nzforestry.co.nz
Views expressed in this publication do not
necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand
Forest Owners Association.
Articles may be reproduced provided
permission is obtained from the editor.
Contributions are welcomed and these
should be addressed to:
The Editor, New Zealand Forestry Bulletin,
PO Box 37440, Parnell, Auckland
Telephone 0-9-377 2370
Fax 0-9-377 2365
Email [email protected]
More added value wanted.
processed products, including
that the steering group
paper and finished wood
includes a number of New
products such as pre-built
Zealand’s more significant
houses, furniture and
forest owners. The emphasis is
manufacturing componentry."
on wood-processing and
"We’re very enthusiastic about
development of the supporting
the initiatives," says FOA
infrastructure. That can only
president Peter Berg. "In
be good news for the whole
particular, we applaud the fact
industry!"
Training
Apprenticeships Take Off
ast July, the Government
introduced the Modern
Apprenticeship Programme
(MAP) and selected Forest
Industries Training as one of
the co-ordinators of the pilot
scheme. While the initial
contract was for 60 forestry
sector apprentices, by the end
of 2000 there were 107, and
marketing manager David
Carruthers expects another 180
apprentices by the end of June.
L
The programme allows people
between 16 and 21 to gain a
Level 3 National Certificate
over a period of three years. It
represents a substantial
commitment from both parties
and is designed to attract
motivated people. CEO John
Blakey says the word
"apprenticeship" has a lot of
mana attached to it. "That
means the programme
functions as a recruitment tool
as well."
T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E N E W Z E A L A N D F O R E S T O W N E R S A S S O C I AT I O N
From NZFOA Chief Executive, Rob McLagan
In My View
Late in January we saw a positive outcome from Deputy Prime Minister Anderton’s undertaking at last year’s Forestry
Industry Conference to facilitate a co-operative government-industry partnership. The massive increase in harvested
wood, and agreement on adding the greatest (profitable) value in New Zealand before export, has focused the minds
of government and the industry on factors which could limit that potential.
T
he Wood Processing
exercise is not to become
The task will not be easy, but a
if we are to compete
Strategy Steering Group,
another ‘talkfest’.
start needs to be made.
successfully overseas. Any
The signs are positive.
chaired by Mr Anderton,
Similarly with the
moves to reduce costs such as
consists of senior industry,
The Government has
Resource Management Act: the
through the adoption of more
local body and Maori
committed itself to a strong
industry has complained for
efficient port loading systems
representatives. It has agreed
regional development strategy
years about the frustrating
must not be frustrated by inter-
on an initial programme to
in which forestry will play a
delays and costs in obtaining
union fights, and that is
achieve the maximum benefits
key role, and industry leaders
resource consents. We simply
essentially what the Watersider
of the increased wood harvest.
are only too well aware of the
will not attract the investment
Workers Union/Mainland
The meeting identified the
obstacles that need to be
required unless the current
Stevedoring Union dispute is
lack of an adequate roading
addressed.
barriers and delays, resulting
all about.
from the poor and inefficient
infrastructure, particularly in
It would be a shame if the
‘new’ forest areas, as probably
Getting The People
administration of the Act, are
Government’s regional
the most serious handicap,
Success in attracting and
effectively addressed.
development strategy and the
followed by the need for
retaining an adequate supply of
adequate numbers of well-
good labour involves very
Industrial Unrest
from the increased wood
trained people, and removal of
complex social as well as
Of immediate concern must be
supply were undermined by
unnecessary Resource
employment-related issues.
the industrial unrest on the
Management Act compliance
We will not solve the problem
waterfront. New Zealand now
costs.
simply by referring to poor
has one of the most efficient
The group agreed to meet in
promotion of the industry,
port operations in the world,
two months to review these
hard and dangerous work, the
but we can’t rest on our laurels
issues. It will also examine
use of alcohol and drugs, and
other key issues, such as
uncaring contractor employers.
escalating import tariffs, non-
These are all contributory
tariff barriers, inconsistent and
causes – but to make inroads
inappropriate building codes in
into the recruitment
many countries, and
requirements of the industry
inadequacies in New Zealand’s
and poor retention rate,
biosecurity defences.
particularly in the forestry
While the first meeting
maximisation of the benefits
such issues.
sector, all those involved need
was successful, there will now
to sit down together and
need to be a strong focus on
carefully analyse the reasons
setting and achieving
for the current position and
measurable milestones if the
formulate innovative solutions.
2 NZ Forestry Bulletin /February 2001
Driving new co-operation
strategies
Biosecurity
Pest On
The Prowl
Eighteen months after its discovery in New Zealand, the
painted apple moth has still not been eradicated.
T
he latest reports on the
Mt Wellington area.
However, there is still
painted apple moth are
"extremely worrying", says
painted moth material in
FOA chief executive Rob
Auckland, more than 18
McLagan. Over just four days
months after the first moth was
in January alone, 150 male
discovered. The most recent
moths were trapped in the
development is the discovery
Glendene area of west
of a late instar caterpillar in
Auckland. The good news is
Titirangi, five kilometres away
that during the same period,
from Glendene/Kelston.
large numbers, could affect
no other life stages (eggs,
Traps with caged female moths
their growth.
caterpillars, pupae or the
will be placed in the area to
Dr Ruth Frampton, MAF
flightless female moths) were
investigate whether this find
director of forest biosecurity,
undertake an independent
detected in Glendene or the
was a one-off occurrence.
says that in accordance with
review of the way in which the
female moth trapping is used.
The FOA has now
formally asked MAF to
the agreed strategy, work on
painted apple moth eradication
Auckland's Mount Wellington.
not the first choice of the
obtaining a pheromone-based
programme has been
During the last eight months,
Australian intruder, the painted
attractant for use in a trapping
conducted. MAF has now
just one pupa and one male
apple moth does feed on
programme remains a top
agreed to bring forward such a
moth have been found in the
young radiata and, if present in
priority. In the meantime, live
review.
Although radiata pine is
other infested region,
More Bucks To Tighten Borders
Government has earmarked an additional
NZ$2.75 million for biosecurity and vows to
develop a comprehensive biosecurity
strategy by December 2002.
The FOA is pleased that the Government has approved a NZ$2.75
million package of initiatives to improve biosecurity.
•
•
•
Implement a biosecurity awareness programme, targeted at
travellers, importers, primary industries and the general
public.
FOA president Peter Berg says the initiative is of vital
importance to our forests. "The Government has indicated
it will be consulting with
The money will be used to:
the relevant sectors and
Conduct a comprehensive import risk analysis on sea
the FOA expects to be
containers and investigate new methods of detecting
closely involved in that
contamination of these containers;
process," he said.
Investigate new methods of enhancing plant pest risk
management;
•
Undertake a strategy, covering scoliid wasps, Argentine
ants, wood-boring insects and nominated diseases of
FOA president Peter Berg:
"The initiative is of vital importance."
native wildlife;
3 NZ Forestry Bulletin /February 2001
Waterfront
Union Protects Its Monopoly
"I have fielded calls from investors and customers
around the world, asking what on earth is happening,"
says Carter Holt Harvey chief executive officer, Chris
written to the Minister of
dispute which could frustrate
Labour expressing concern at
the introduction of an
an interunion demarcation
improved ship loading system.
Liddell, about the South Island waterfront dispute which
Biosecurity
has raged since late last year.
arter Holt Harvey has
C
boycotts since the start of the
been subjected to
dispute. Workers from its
picketing, heavy
stevedoring company,
criticism, trespass, and the
Mainland, have faced
threat of international union
intimidation, slashing of tyres
and confrontations with
protesters.
"This is not actually a
T
he New Zealand Forest Health Research Collaborative
(NZFHRC) turns five this year. Established with FOA
funding, the collaborative provides solutions to forest
dispute about casualisation or
health problems through cost-effective research and
local jobs for local people,"
technology transfer.
says Liddell. "Mainland also
Projects for the 2000/2001 year include the economic
employs permanent staff, has
impact of the Monterey pine aphid (Crop and Food
recruited local staff and is
Research); biological control of blackberry (Forest
offering to employ more. It is
Research) and testing cypress canker resistance: initial
about a union trying to resist
screening methodology. (Forest Research).
new economy change and
Carter Holt Harvey chief
executive officer, Chris Liddell
Championing
Forest Health
protect a monopoly."
The Association has twice
The NZFHRC consists of research and service
providers, FOA members and DoC/MAF members. For
more information visit www.fhrc.org.nz
Fire Prevention
Wildfires Under The Microscope
T
he FOA Fire Committee works closely with the National Rural Fire
Authority (NRFA). As part of that collaboration, the Association
‘Bernie’ – the cartoon character that
carries the fire prevention message on
commissioned the Canterbury School of Forestry to research the
television – has been playing his part
forestry component of the Wildfire Threat Analysis. The project has
again in an all-new commercial this
been successfully completed and now forms part of the overall
season. Response to the TV
analysis.
advertisement and the supporting
But while wildfires present a perennial danger, the 2000/2001 fire
material sent out has been
season has been – with the exception of disastrous Marlborough fires –
excellent, says Schell. "Recipient
relatively quiet so far, says fire committee chairman Charlie Schell.
companies were very pleased with
"But all the signs point towards forests rapidly drying out. If the
weather doesn’t change, we could be in a serious position later this
summer."
4 NZ Forestry Bulletin /February 2001
what they received, especially with the
new poster."
Powerlines
Sparks Flying Over Electricity Bill
An FOA submission proposes significant changes
The proposed Electricity Industry Bill has serious
implications for forest owners and other landowners.
M
to the Bill.
Meanwhile, a legal opinion prepared for the FOA,
urray Parrish, member of the FOA Forest Resource and
Environment Committee, says the Bill could result in
Federated Farmers and the Federation of Maori Authorities got
landowners being liable for maintaining electricity transmission
only a brief reply from the Minister of Forestry and Energy, Pete
routes, with no apparent capacity to recover the costs. The
Hodgson. He said that, irrespective of ownership, the special
process could also result in loss of property rights. "In its present
nature of utilities means the costs of maintaining these lines
form, the Bill forces landowners into subsidising the cost of
should fall on the landowner. The FOA believes that means forest
electricity distribution."
and landowners are subsidising power companies.
FOA Briefs
Overseas
Visitors
n recent years, gypsy moth
there was no additional
egg masses have been found
evidence to suggest more
I
Elmia Wood
Forestry Fair
I
nternational forestry trade
well as infrastructure services.
fair, Elmia Wood 2001, will
For more information, please
be held from June 6-9 in
contact Kevin Jamieson, PO
Box 1070, Wellington, phone
in shipments of used Japanese
stringent measures were
Jonkoping, Sweden. Located
cars. As more and more of
needed.
in 150 ha of private forest, the
(04) 478 1165, fax (04) 237
these vehicles are imported
MAF now provides optional
fair is to display and
5135 or visit the
into New Zealand there must
inspection of used vehicles
demonstrate the latest forestry
www.wood.elmia.se website.
be a corresponding increase in
pre-shipment or in New
techniques and machinery, as
a major biosecurity breach.
Zealand and has raised
inspection standards.
MAF initiated a review of its
import health standard for
The FOA believes all
cars, vans and utility vehicles
inspections should be
from any country, to see
undertaken in the country of
whether it needed to be
origin and will be making a
amended. The document
detailed response.
Getting On Top
T
he FOA’s ladder pruning
and the ladder has a modified
trial has been a winner.
(bigger) platform, and is
OSH has decided that ‘top of
chained to the tree at a lower
the ladder’ pruning is
level. Formal OSH approval
received 22 submissions. From
acceptable, provided that the
for the new criteria is still
those, MAF concluded that
pruner is appropriately trained
awaited.
Challenge Forests stated that the
against GMOs, the industry will
GMO Submission
T
industry was interested in
take those feelings into account,"
he forest industry has
says Murray Parrish, member of
commercial applications of the
says Parrish.
welcomed the Royal
the FOA Forest Resource and
technology, and the potential it
Commission on Genetic
Environment Committee. In a
held for biocontrol of pests. The
Royal Commission on Genetic
Modification as an opportunity to
joint sub- mission to the
industry made clear that it must
Modification visit
debate the scientific and ethical
commission, the FOA, FIC, Carter
remain customer-focused. "If
www.gmcommission.govt.nz
issues of biotechnology openly,
Holt Harvey and Fletcher
there’s a strong market reaction
For more information on the
5 NZ Forestry Bulletin /February 2001
Global Warming
Climate Change
Over Summer
The FOA plays an active role in climate change discussions at a national and international level.
ollowing the breakdown of
the Climate Change
negotiations at the Hague last
November, all countries are
now assessing where the
negotiations should go from
here. A climate change
meeting has been scheduled
for June or July.
There is general consensus
that an agreement will
eventually be signed. But the
New Zealand forest industry
remains keen to ensure that the
terms of any agreement do not
seriously distort the market for
forest products or undermine
the international
competitiveness of the
industry.
The delay is being used
by the forest industry to
F
research the role of forests in
reducing carbon in the
atmosphere. The industry
remains concerned about the
potential liability faced by pre1990 forests and the failure of
the existing protocol to
recognise the role of forests in
acting as long-term carbon
sinks. The presumption that
all the carbon stored in wood
is released at harvest is
patently wrong, says FOA
chief executive Rob
McLagan. For this
reason, the FOA and
FIC are strongly
supporting an
international
meeting held in
February in Rotorua to
examine technical and policy
issues surrounding embodied
carbon in wood.
The industry will continue
to be closely involved – both
domestically and
internationally – in the
consultation process.
Hot
Issues
T
he latest report of the
Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change (IPCC)
strengthens the case for action
against human-induced
greenhouse gas emissions, says
Forestry Minister Pete
Hodgson.
The report reinforces
earlier findings of the role
human greenhouse gas
emissions play in heating up
the globe. Its findings are
consistent, says Mr Hodgson,
with our domestic situation.
New Zealand has warmed by
about 0.6°C since the 1860s.
Predictions for future
temperature rises range from
1.5 to 6°C, depending on
assumptions about future
greenhouse gas emissions.
Safety
High-viz Clothing
Standards For
Forestry
he New Zealand/Australian
Standards have been developed
standard for high-visibility
for the colours, dimensions of the
T
garments is being adapted to
colour blocks, and their location
suit requirements in the forest
(primarily upper torso). Once
industry. Since the introduction
OSH has approved the draft, the
of ‘high-viz’ clothing, accidents
standard will be published.
relating to visibility have dropped
A label will indicate that clothes
off dramatically, says Peter Clark,
comply with the standard;
Chairman of the FOA Education,
companies or contractors who
Training & Safety Committee.
use different garments will
"We are confident that these
violate health and safety
garments are both necessary
regulations.
and working for the industry."
6 NZ Forestry Bulletin /February 2001
Peter Clark says high-viz works.
FOA Briefs
Action, Lights, Bonzai!
driving ATVs get the
years and said his term had
in more serious cases, such as
NHK Television of Japan –
appropriate unit standards,"
been ‘stimulating and eventful’
wildlife and plant smuggling.
with a domestic audience of 20
says Clark. Forest Industries
but had been more focused on
million – recently sent a team
Training can advise on where
structural change than he
to New Zealand to report on
training can be obtained.
would have chosen.
Sea Of Logs Off Japan
A new threat to shipping is
economic reforms of the last
15 years. FOA president Peter
More Plantation Wood
emerging off the coast of Japan
Instant Fines At Border
– floating logs. According to
Berg was closely involved with
The UN Food and Agriculture
From this July, passengers
the Japan Coast Guard, some
the Auckland leg of the
Organisation believes global
arriving in New Zealand who
4500 logs were adrift offshore
programme and ensured the
demand for timber will
fail to declare quarantine items
crew obtained accurate
continue to outstrip supplies of
will be liable for an instant fine
information on our forestry
wood from the world’s
of NZ$200. The fine will
industry.
plantation forests. In a
apply to those caught with
"They had a strong
recently released report co-
undeclared plant or animal
interest in sustainability and
written by New Zealander,
products that threaten New
innovation," says Berg. "And
Christopher Brown of MAF,
Zealand’s environment or
that Russian, Korean and
wanted to know all about the
overall demand for wood is
economy. At present, some
Chinese exporters ensure there
way we grew radiata pine,
expected to increase 25% to
2000 passengers a month fail
is no further ‘disintegration’ of
certification and the chain-of-
1.9 billion cubic metres by
to declare items of potential
deck cargo. A number of ships
custody process."
2010. To meet that, it is
risk. Penalties of up to
travelling in the Sea of Japan
anticipated that plantation
NZ$100,000 can be imposed
have already been badly
wood will represent a third of
from Aomori in January –
virtually all believed to have
come loose from Russian log
boats caught in heavy seas.
The coast guard has demanded
damaged by floating logs.
total supply (presently about
25%) by 2010.
Marlborough Express
APHIS Worried
of FSC certified forest land
Agriculture’s Animal and Plant
suggests that its rate of
Health Inspection Service
expansion may be slowing.
additional action to reduce the
risk of transporting exotic pests
in imported ‘unmanufactured’
Two Can Go
4-wheel ATVs are handy,
particularly during the
establishment phase of a forest.
But because of the potential
danger of these motorbikes,
OSH suggests their drivers
should not carry passengers.
The FOA disagrees. The key
New information on the area
The US Department of
(APHIS) is considering
Camera crew gets pine
perspective.
PEFC Now Tops In
Certification
wooden packaging materials.
APHIS says foreign plant pests
Standing at just over 19
million hectares, FSC
certification averaged about
6 million ha a year in 1998
and 1999, but the rate was
like the Asian long horned
expected to have been halved
beetle have been linked to the
in 2000. The trend reflects
importation of solid wood
European forest owners’
packaging (mainly from China)
increased focus on the
and it issued a draft pest risk
alternative Pan European
assessment for which public
Forest Certification (PEFC)
comment closed in February.
scheme which has certified
Ross Wants Quiet Life
to safety is driver training and
The Director-General of MAF,
following basic safety
Bruce Ross, retires in April to
precautions. "We are very
pursue ‘a less intensive pace
keen to see our member
and more leisure’. Professor
companies have those persons
Ross headed MAF for five
some 27 million ha since 1998.
FSC’s major growth in Europe
came from wide support from
Sweden and the UK.
7 NZ Forestry Bulletin /February 2001
Training
Transport
New Guidelines Mapping Log
Truck Accidents
F
orest Industries Training
has launched a new set of
14 Best Practice
Guidelines for forestry
operations which have already
been described as world class.
They support the OSHapproved code of practice for
forestry operations by
providing ‘how-to’ information
on forestry work. The
guidelines are also useful
reference for people involved
in training for forestry unit
standards. Copies cost around
$20 each and inquiries should
be directed to Forest Industries
Training, phone 07 348 7250.
T
he FOA has commissioned
take the appropriate safety
the Log Transport Safety
measures. It also allows the
Council (LTSC) to take over
FOA to provide hard
the log truck accident
information to bodies such as
reporting scheme from Liro.
the LTSA.
With its strong connections to
says that when you compare
an excellent position to cover
the number of logging truck
accidents comprehensively,
accidents in the 1999-2000
says FOA Transport
year to the year ending June
Committee chairman Doug
1997, there have been around
Robertson. Details – including
50% fewer. "That’s a great
location, casualties and truck
start – but operators need to
configuration – are recorded
be especially careful during the
on a nation-wide database.
summer months to ensure the
Careful monitoring of
accidents, says Robertson,
makes it possible to detect
0800 Revamp
A
ll log transport owners are expected to have an 0800
sign fitted to their units. Doug Robertson welcomes the
development: "This is another step towards improving the safety
of our roads. The standardisation also makes it easier for the
public to comment."
The new numbers are:
0800LOGTRUCK
0800BULKTRUCK
The first number will feature on log trucks, while the second is
reserved for chip liners and log/chip trucks.
The LTSC will provide transport operators with an ID number for
their vehicle(s). Operators will receive a copy of all calls from the
public and will be given the opportunity to respond to those calls.
8 NZ Forestry Bulletin /November 2000
FOA president Peter Berg
truck operators, the LTSC is in
emerging patterns – and then
road toll doesn’t creep up
again."