| 57 T T Hugh de Lacy Resilience brings rewards and growth Chrystal’s resilience and business acumen have won her prestigious recognition. Stirling Logging Chrystal Edmonds’ journey as co-owner of Gisborne company Stirling Logging, alongside her husband, Gavin Edmonds, is a testament to overcoming adversity and achieving growth. Chrystal’s resilience and business acumen have won her prestigious recognition, including the coveted Maori Women’s Development Award for the second consecutive year. Stirling logging was founded by Chrystal and Gavin in 2017 with just three staff and basic equipment. Within two years it had grown to two hauler-harvesting crews serving the Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay regions, currently contracted to Forest Management New Zealand (FMNZ). Then came Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023, the most destructive cyclone to hit the East Coast of the North Island since Cyclone Giselle in 1968. Gabrielle caused widespread devastation – washed-out roads, destroyed bridges and blocked waterways, and brought a new term into the public lexicon: “slash,” meaning the accumulation on harvested forest land of valueless off-cuts and stumps that washed into rivers and clogged waterways and beaches. It made businesses like Stirling Logging look prime candidates for collapse as the forests were shut down for months through lack of access. But rather than fold in the face of the suspension of logging, Chrystal and Gavin pivoted to recovery operations, securing clean-up contracts with Downer and Fulton Hogan. This rapid adaptation enabled Stirling Logging to not only survive, but to add a third crew to its operations at a time when other businesses were still reeling from the shock. Chrystal’s innovative approach and leadership earned her recognition in the Women in Forestry Awards and as a Good Employer finalist in 2022, paving the way for her backto-back honours with the Te Tai Rawhiti Maori Women’s Awards. This remarkable journey highlights Chrystal’s resilience and determination, qualities that shine through in her ability to adapt to challenges and innovate under pressure. By turning setbacks into opportunities, Chrystal exemplified the strength and perseverance that is at the core of successful leadership, inspiring others in the Maori and business communities alike. “Stirling Logging is not just a job: it’s a lifestyle,” Chrystal says. “It’s about whanau, teamwork, integrity, personal growth and determination. “The company’s core values – rooted in fostering strong connections, empowering growth and achieving excellence – are a direct reflection of the leadership and vision Gavin and I have brought to the enterprise. “We have an unwavering commitment to these principles, and we ensure they remain at the heart of every crew, guiding their success and uniting the team under a shared purpose.” “We have an unwavering commitment to these principles, and we ensure they remain at the heart of every crew, guiding their success and uniting the team under a shared purpose.” 183 Carnarvon St, Gisborne P 06 867 9811 E www.ehinsurance.co.nz FREEPHONE 0800 428 429 Proud to Support Chrystal Edmonds, Stirling Logging Ltd 2024 MWDI Māori Businesswoman Regional Award Winner Your Domestic, Commercial and Rural Insurance Specialists Proudly supplying Stirling Logging their Ford Rangers & Raptors for the last 5 years 06 867 6759 | www.gisborneford.co.nz FORESTRY
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