Farm Forestry New ZealandMay, 2021
KTM Supreme Winner at Forestry Awards
The supreme winner, found from the winners of the 12 awards’ categories, was Troy Mason of KTM Silviculture, who earlier in the evening had been crowned as the training company of the year. The big award recognises an individual or company who are leaders in their field, lead by example and demonstrate outstanding excellence in all facets of operation.
KTM is owned by Troy and Kelly Mason and judges were impressed with the ethos behind this relatively young company who has a strong ongoing commitment to continuing to upskill its workers and go beyond what is required to ensure the very best when it comes to health, safety and the environment. Troy is known for his exemplary attitude towards training that ensures his crew not only do a good job but a good job safely done.
The company draws on its Māori roots and has a strong connection to the whenua, and especially local iwi and hapū. For them, it gives more meaning in their training programmes for rangatahi, and especially taking care of the whenua and environment, while being kaitiaki of it makes them go that little bit further every time.
Also honoured last night was Morris Fisher for his outstanding lifetime of commitment to the forestry industry. Judges considered the huge amount of support Morris has given to small scale forestry as well as the development of young people across a wide variety of areas.
In a career spanning more than five decades he has planted over 4000 hectares – or four million trees – then managed the silviculture tending through to maturity. He has been involved in setting up areas of native bush for the Queen Elizabeth Trust and planted native riparian and wetland areas, taking an interest in how they are protecting streams and rivers.
During a stellar career he has worked as a log scaler, instructor and manager before establishing his own business TAML Forestry that specialises in silviculture, management and consultancy.
Morris has been a long-running supporter of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry and New Zealand Farm Forestry Association and in recent years been quietly promoting forestry to local schools to encourage young people to consider a career in forestry.
A special award was also presented to Kylie Boyd from CentrePort for the work she has done in establishing a log rail collaboration project in Masterton.
Awards were presented across the industry – from apprentices to wood processing excellence, trainees to contractors and more.
“These are a chance for us to both recognise and celebrate excellence amongst the skilled forestry workforce in our region,” says SNI Wood Council chief executive Erica Kinder.
It is the fourth year the awards have been held with new categories introduced for emerging talent and wood processing.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s fiancé Clarke Gayford, who is also a television fishing show host, was the MC for the awards dinner, which was held at the Awapuni Function Centre in Palmerston North. The awards cover the sector from Taranaki to Whanganui, Manawatu to Wairapapa, Tararua and Wellington.
Forestry is a significant contributor to the region’s coffers, directly employing more than 1000 people across a wide range of jobs who generate around $187m of log sales revenue, underpinning a further 2200 jobs in wood processing.
The winners –
Contribution to the Forestry Industry (sponsored by Kiwi Lumber): Morris Fisher (TAML Forestry).
Special award for Exemplary Forestry Innovation (sponsored by John Turkington Forestry): Kylie Boyd (CentrePort).
Harvesting Excellence (sponsored by Finance NZ): Samuel Keenan (Keenan Forestry Ltd). Runner-up: Hamish Thompson (Mangoihe Logging Company Ltd).
Forestry Excellence (sponsored by Forest 360): Josiah Whenuaroa (Whenuaroa Forestry).
Outstanding Health and Safety Management (sponsored by New Forests): Dale Ewers (Moutere Logging Ltd).
Modern Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by McCarthy Transport): Glen Etherington (Gillard Logging Ltd). Runner-up: Sam McPeak (Keenan Forestry Ltd).
Trainee of the Year (sponsored by Competenz): Charles Wipaki (Moutere Logging Ltd). Runner-up: Stevie Wilson (Foxpine).
Emerging Talent of the Year (sponsored by Forest Enterprises): Taine Rona (R&S Dreaver Shelter Trimmers Ltd).
Training Company/Contractor of the Year (sponsored by JNL ): Troy Mason (KTM Silviculture Ltd).
Contractor of the Year (sponsored by NZ Forestry): Bryan McCarthy (Mangoihe Logging Company Ltd).
Outstanding Environmental Management (sponsored by FORME Consulting): Hannah Harvey (Forest Enterprises). Runner-up: Josh Blazek (Farman Turkington Forestry).
Distribution Excellence (sponsored by Ernslaw One Ltd): Tony Groome (John Turkington Ltd).
Wood Processing Excellence (sponsored by China Forest Group Corporation NZ): Shannon Gillam (Kiwi Lumber Masterton.
Supreme Winner: Troy Mason (KTM Silviculture).
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