Creating a change for good in forestry

TOROAWHI: Gisborne man Wade Brunt is one of two new Toroawhi roles created by Safetree. The 12-month pilot project has a target of creating further change in the forestry industry. Picture by Liam Clayton

Safetree has appointed Wade Brunt, a passionate forestry veteran, to help get forestry workers more actively involved in improving health and safety.

Mr Brunt started working on Monday in his new role as Toroawhi, which means “together we create change”.

He will work with crews and others in forestry to support and encourage worker participation in health and safety decision-making.

“I want to improve the health and wellbeing of the workers and unite the industry. I am passionate about this industry and there are a lot of good stories that need to be shared.

“The ultimate goal is to prevent deaths in the forestry. I want everyone to be healthy and safe while working,” he said.

Mr Brunt has 17 years frontline forestry experience and is an experienced processor/operator who most recently worked for McIndoe Logging in Gisborne.

The role will provide support to the sector to promote and improve worker participation with the overall aim to leave behind capability in the crews so that people feel they can “speak up” on health and safety issues and in doing so contribute to the operation as a whole.

Mr Brunt is based in Gisborne covering the Gisborne Tairawhiti region. Richard Stringfellow is a second toroawhi who will be based in Taupo and cover the central North Island.

Safetree are working on a plan to introduce the two to their regions using their existing networks and other key stakeholders.

“It's a very fresh role and we are in the discovery phase. I want to go out and meet the workers and other people in the industry,” Mr Brunt said.

WorkSafe are supporting the initiative.

Mr Brunt went on his own personal development journey to improve his physical and mental health, He began working to improve the health of his fellow forestry workers.

This included running eight-week health camps specifically designed for forestry workers.

He also created Jogging for Logging — a relay from Gisborne to Tolaga Bay that involved participants in the health camps.

In 2019 he received a Tairawhiti Man of the Year award for his contribution to the health of forestry workers on the East Coast and an Eastland Wood Council scholarship.