Australasia's home for timber news and information

Administrators in rescue bid for Waimea

Nelson Forests was to meet with the administrators trying to rescue log transport business Waimea Contract Carriers that owes NZ$14 million. Sources: Stuff NZ, The Nelson Mail John Fisk and Richard Longman, partners of PwC, were appointed administrators of Waimea Contract Carriers and
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Aussie dollar impacts NZ sawmillers

Jobs will go and sawmills may be forced to close if the Australian dollar continues to lose value against the Kiwi dollar, the New Zealand Timber Industry Federation says. Sources: TVNZ, Timberbiz Australia represents 21% of the value of New Zealand timber exports and is a very import
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Carter Holt Harvey sell off

New Zealand’s Graeme Hart is reported to be planning to sell a chunk of Carter Holt Harvey. Source: Stuff NZ It is too early to say whether his plans to partially float his building firm Carter Holt Harvey could be a flier, according to a fund manager. Hart plans to sell up to 60% of
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Waimea in voluntary administration

  Log transport company Waimea Contract Carriers, has been placed in voluntary administration owing NZ$14 million, with the possibility of closure not ruled out. Source: The Nelson Mail The firm has 120 staff – 90 in Nelson and 30 in Blenheim – and is one of the south
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Growing mechanization causes financial stress

The owner of a Māori forestry company said that the industry’s growing mechanisation has put forestry contracting businesses under financial stress, in turn putting workers more at risk. Source: Radio New Zealand The push towards increased safety was excellent, but it had meant
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Solomon Islands mission accomplished

Delegates of the Solomon Islands Timber Export Mission to New Zealand and Australia described their experience as “invaluable”. Source: The Soloman Star The mission with eight timber exporters visited the two countries as part of a fact-finding mission and to meet with their importer-
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NZ logging truckers face a long haul

Some New Zealand Northland trucking companies could be forced out of business while chasing hundreds of thousands of dollars owed to them by logging contractors. Source: The Northern Advocate HarvestPro and Smith and Davies NZ who have gone bust, owe a string of creditors more than NZ
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Scion trials drones for forestry

Forestry crown research institute Scion will trial the use of drones for use in forestry management next month and hopes to be an early adopter of imminent rule changes allowing them to be flown beyond line of sight. Source: Netguide Scion has teamed up with Aeronavics to field test u
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Mamaku sawmill shuts in NZ

Twenty-five Mamaku Sawmilling Company workers have lost their jobs and were officially told after a meeting with the owner’s solicitors and union representatives yesterday.  Source: Rotorua Daily Post Employees were told last week a closure was on the cards for the mill, which h
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Repossed HarvestPro equipment

A major financier has repossessed equipment from the owner of forestry business HarvestPro New Zealand. An official from GE Finance and Insurance in Auckland said equipment located in Auckland, Gisborne and Northland was repossessed from the company KFI Asset Management. Source: New Z
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