| 55 T T Kim Bowden Global standards the benchmark Northern Forest Managers (NFM) oversees a massive geographical footprint, managing approximately 20,000 hectares of radiata pine, stretching from south of the Mangamukas down to Warkworth. Northland Forest Managers “The trend in the last 10 years has been more and more mechanisation. You rarely have a person actually using a chainsaw in logging” FORESTRY Operating from Kerikeri, with a satellite office in Dargaville, Northern Forest Managers (NFM) oversees a massive geographical footprint, managing approximately 20,000 hectares of radiata pine, stretching from south of the Mangamukas down to Warkworth. General manager, Neil Geerkens, says NFM works across the full forestry cycle, from planting and tending through to harvesting and log sales. Its core team remains relatively lean, with only 10 employees, supported by three contracted logging crews working in the forests. Despite the modest headcount, NFM positions its benchmarks directly against global firms in terms of environmental and operational standards. “We’re certainly not large, but standards are just as high as the other forest management companies, even the larger ones like Manulife or Rayonier,” Neil says. The company has operated under Forest Stewardship Council certification for several years, which Neil describes as a global system covering environmental, social and financial sustainability criteria. It’s doing things right by local authorities, too. “We are regularly inspected by the regional council to ensure that we meet environmental compliance, and we are always meeting environmental compliance,” he says. NFM also maintains a ‘gold standard’ Health & Safety status, undergoing rigorous independent audits through organisations such as SiteWise and Prequal, and applying the same high bar to the contractors it engages. Neil describes an industry that has undergone constant change over the last decade. The traditional image of a bushman with a chainsaw is largely obsolete, replaced by sophisticated machinery capable of navigating 30- to 40‑degree slopes while tethered to an anchor machine. This transition is driven by a dual focus on worker safety and environmental protection. “The trend in the last 10 years has been more and more mechanisation. You rarely have a person actually using a chainsaw in logging,” Neil says. The technology has significantly reduced soil disturbance and the risk of wood debris entering local waterways, he says. NFM acts as a hub for approximately 30 independent contractors, including its logging crews. These teams handle a diverse range of tasks, including silviculture, helicopter services, forest security, pest control, and road construction. “We choose to use contractors who can show that they are able to meet a high level of Health & Safety compliance. If they don’t, then we tend to manage them out of our operations,” Neil says. The company supplies logs to sawmills across Northland, and on the west coast, while also exporting through Marsden Point. Neil says exports remain necessary because not all log grades are suitable for domestic processing, and New Zealand produces more logs than local mills can use. While the harvesting side remains steady, the carbon forestry sector has hit a significant roadblock. Previously a high‑growth area, carbon planting has stalled. “It’s gone through some real swings and roundabouts, and that’s been primarily driven by changes in government policy,” Neil says. The impact on local planting schedules has been immediate. “We’ve had years where we have planted over 1000 hectares of new land for clients into the carbon space – it’s come to a virtual dead halt because of the change in regulations.” TRANSPORTING NORTHLAND WIDE - THE SMART CHOICE FOR LOG TRANSPORT PH. 021 245 4835 TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS LTD WHANGAREI MARSDEN
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