EWC focus on women in forestry

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Eastland Wood Council (EWC) has welcomed the Government’s announcement of additional support for cyclone-affected regions.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and ministers made the funding announcements in Gisborne this week.

EWC is among those in Tairāwhiti that have received funding for workforce and employment initiatives to provide training and build the workforce for essential recovery and rebuild works.

Funding received by EWC is focused on initiatives for women in forestry.

EWC acting chair Warren Rance says he is excited by “the acknowledgement by government of not only the importance of the forest industry to Tairāwhiti, but also of the women who provide critical service in recovery operations, management and the future of the industry”.

EWC chief executive Philip Hope says the industry’s greatest asset is its people.

“It’s always been about more than just trees or logs. It is about the people who live and work here with their families and the local businesses that look after them.

“People are at the heart of everything our industry does and it’s great this announcement recognises this,” Mr Hope says.

“The alliance with iwi and government agencies has a vision to keep our people safe and enables whānau to prosper.”

“But there’s more to do and we look forward to working with our partners to ensure we are creating a resilient environment for both our workforce and for what happens behind forest gates.”