15/11/2024
Press Release 16 November 2024
HEROES RISE FROM CHALLENGING TIMES
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
The strong forestry sector of Hawke’s Bay came alive on Friday night at the Hawke’s Bay Forestry Awards held at the Napier War Memorial Centre, a gathering that celebrated resilience, innovation, and extraordinary contributions to the industry. With the event hosted by the talented Jeremy Corbett, renowned for his role on TV’s Seven Days, the evening witnessed a full house united in recognition of our industry’s heroes rising to tackle the challenges of the past two years.
This year’s awards emphasized the immense strength of the forestry community as it emerged from the profound difficulties wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Adversity and Rebuild - Recognition of Dedication and Industry Service Award, bestowed upon the Hawke’s Bay Forestry Group (HBFG) by Tania Kerr, Deputy Mayor of Hastings District Council. This accolade celebrates their extraordinary leadership and commitment to community recovery following the cyclone's impact. HBFG represents 13 forestry companies and most of the forest area in Hawkes Bay, so the award also recognised the extraordinary efforts of those teams and of the many forest contractors and their staff who dug deep to support the community following Cyclone Gabrielle.
One of the evening's standout winners was Amy Satherley of ATS Logging Limited, who was celebrated as the Woman of the Year Excellence and awarded the Skilled Professional of the Year 2024 Trophy. Amy’s tireless commitment to both her team and community, alongside her impressive achievements in mentoring and health and safety advocacy, epitomizes the spirit of leadership in our industry. Her work not only prioritizes well-being but also promotes sustainable forestry practices that harmonize economic success with environmental responsibility. ATS Logging Limited also took away Harvesting Excellence Award and Outstanding Health & Safety Management trophy.
In addition, the newly introduced Outstanding Innovation Excellence Trophy was awarded to Kevin Gettins of Weighing and Measuring Solutions (NZ) Ltd. This trophy recognizes Kevin’s visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of innovation, significantly transforming New Zealand’s forestry supply chain since his company’s inception in 2003. His commitment to IT advancements has set new operational benchmarks, emphasizing efficiency and safety in log truck weighing procedures.
The awards also celebrated the incredible training efforts of D G Glenn Logging, which received recognition as the Training Company/Contractor of the Year. Their partnership with Competenz has led to the successful training of numerous apprentices and the enhancement of vital skills across the sector. Over the last two years, their initiatives resulted in seven apprentices completing their programmes and 24 trainees earning Level 3 and Level 4 national certificates.
The awards showcased a remarkable spread of talent and dedication across various companies within the Hawke’s Bay forestry sector. The evening was thoroughly judged by industry leaders Ed Saathof from Forestry Services Limited, Kere Elliott from Elliot Logging Limited, and Bruce Evans from BE Engineering, advisor to Pan Pac.
James Powrie, CE for the Hawke’s Bay Forestry Group spoke, “In the two years since our 2022 awards, Cyclone Gabrielle provided many challenges and changes for us all. The clean-up and the rebuilding effort has been massive.”
He also confirmed, “Forestry people opened roads, towed vehicles and gear through flooded rivers, delivered generators, conducted rescues and provided countless assistance to rural Hawke’s Bay alongside farmers, roading operators and others.”
Together, the forest sector celebrated the remarkable individuals and organizations that continue to elevate the forestry industry in Hawke’s Bay, showcasing a spirit of dedication and excellence.
Results:
Hawke’s Bay Forestry Skilled Professional of the Year – Amy Satherley, ATS Logging Limited
Training Certificates
NZ Modern Apprentice of the Year - Blake Bell, FMNZ
sponsored by Competenz
Trainee of the Year - Luka Kyle, DG Glenn Logging
sponsored by Rayonier Matariki
Training Company/Contractor of the Year - DG Glenn Logging
sponsored by M W Lissette Ltd
Skilled Professional Certificates
Forestry & Establishment Excellence - Ron Middleton, Midpine Contracting
sponsored by NZFM
Roading Civil Excellence - Damien McCarthy, M.W.Lissette
sponsored by ATS Logging
Harvesting Excellence - Mark Giddens, ATS Logging Ltd
sponsored by Goodmans Contracting
Log Processor Excellence - Chris London, Kat Logging Ltd 2013
sponsored by Lew Prince Logging Ltd
Distribution Excellence - Mark Pittar, Pan Pac
sponsored by Napier Port
Tree Faller Excellence - Kumi Basher, KB Training
sponsored by P F Olsen
Log Truck Driver Excellence - Kyle Sykes, Pan Pac
sponsored by Patchell Group
Woman in Forestry Excellence - Amy Satherley, ATS Logging Limited
sponsored by Z Energy
Runner-up: Hannah Ormond, Overhead Solutions
Industry Development Trophies
Crew of the Year - Bay Forest Harvesting - Log 7
sponsored by FGLT
Outstanding H & S Management Award - ATS Logging Limited
sponsored by LTSC
Outstanding Environmental Management Award - Kat 15 Crew, Kat Logging Ltd 2013
sponsored by Te Awahohono Trust
Outstanding Innovation Excellence Award - Kevin Gettins, Weighing & Measuring
Solutions (NZ) Ltd
sponsored by QUBE
Special Award – Adversity & Rebuild Hawke’s Bay Forestry Group
For full details about the Hawkes Bay Forestry Awards check out the website at: www.hbforestryawards.co.nz
** Image attached : Matt Doyle, Chair of HBFG and Skilled Professional of the Year – Amy Satherley, ATS Logging Limited
End
Proud to be Sponsors:
GOLD Sponsors: Forest Growers Levy Trust, Hawkes Bay Today/Newstalk ZB, Finance New Zealand, QUBE, Log Transport Safety Council, Te Awahōhono Forest Trust
SILVER Sponsors: Pan Pac, Competenz, Rayonier Matariki Forests, M.W.Lissette Ltd, Goodmans Contracting, Napier Port, Z Energy, Lew Prince Logging, ATS Logging, Patchell Group, UDC, The WIDE Trust, Te Uru Rakau, Safetree, P F Olsen
BRONZE Sponsors: FMNZ, Public Impressions Ltd, Trimble, C3, NZ Forest Managers, NZ Safety Blackwoods, Weighing & Measuring Solutions, Deals on Wheels
For more information head to: http://hbforestawards.co.nz/
or contact Event Manager:
Prue Younger
M 021 2765484
E [email protected]
