The forestry sector came alive on Friday night as heroes were acknowledged at the Hawke’s Bay Forestry Awards.
The gathering at the Napier War Memorial Centre, hosted by Jeremy Corbett, celebrated resilience, innovation and extraordinary contributions and recognition of the industry’s heroes rising to tackle the challenges of the past two years.
This year’s awards emphasised the immense strength of the forestry community as it emerged from the profound difficulties wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.
The evening was judged by industry leaders Ed Saathof from Forestry Services Ltd, Kere Elliott from Elliot Logging Ltd and Bruce Evans from BE Engineering, adviser to Pan Pac.
James Powrie, chief executive of Hawke’s Bay Forestry Group, said Cyclone Gabrielle provided many challenges and changes and the clean-up and rebuild effort was massive.
“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,” Powrie said.
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 Deputy Mayor of Hastings District Council Tania Kerr.
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 Hawke’s 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 after Cyclone Gabrielle.
One of the evening’s standout winners was Amy Satherley of ATS Logging Ltd, celebrated as the Woman of the Year Excellence and awarded the Skilled Professional of the Year 2024 Trophy.
Satherley’s tireless commitment to her team and community, alongside her impressive achievements in mentoring and health and safety advocacy, epitomises the spirit of leadership in the industry.
Her work prioritises wellbeing and promotes sustainable forestry practices that harmonise economic success with environmental responsibility.
ATS Logging Ltd also took away the 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 recognises his visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of innovation, significantly transforming New Zealand’s forestry supply chain since his company’s inception in 2003.
Gettins commitment to IT advancements has set new operational benchmarks, emphasising efficiency and safety in log truck weighing procedures.
The awards also celebrated the incredible training efforts of DG Glenn Logging, which received recognition as the Training Company/Contractor of the Year.
Th company’s 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.
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