Ernslaw One Ltd

This month it was industry's turn to host the Southland Environmental Working Group mid-year meeting. The day saw the group out and about in the Ernslaw One estate not far from Tapanui. The hosts explained the work they have been doing to measure and monitor stream ecology and water quality over a long period of time, sparking a discussion around the quality of the national models we have to work with. Ernslaw One staff also showed us a recently harvested site highlighting how practices have significantly changed from the previous rotation in order to protect our waterways and included a lunch stop (shout-out to the SWC for lunch!) To see the Koura, thriving in the forest.   Our second stop took the group to a new development forest where afforestation planning work had been carried out, considering ecological values and erosion prone areas to determine sustainable boundaries for planting. Ernslaw One staff talked us through how they collected the data required to complete their wilding risk assessment and told us about the current review of this assessment tool which seeks to create more transparency for our regulators on how scores have been determined, along with training and education for both foresters and our regulators. The day concluded with looking at the new roading investment in this forest, for the safe and reliable access for the planting and forest monitoring.    All in all, another great field day with engaged people eager to share and learn.                          

We’re proud to be supporting the NZ Brain Tumour Trust’s Matariki Ball on Saturday night in Christchurch with a donation of Keewai freshwater crayfish straight from untouched waters in the South Island. Raised completely naturally in rain and spring-fed ponds tucked away in remote Otago and Southland forests these little beauties have been carefully selected and harvested by hand.   The NZ Brain Tumour Trust do a wonderful job funding leading-edge medical research and supporting those affected by brain tumours. Wishing you a hugely successful event.

High blood pressure and waist circumference are two of the highest health risk factors for people working in the forestry industry.    With the help of the late Dr Tom Mullholland, KYND Wellness and Kaikoura Hunting&Fishing, Ernslaw supported its staff and contractors to reduce these risks through a Health Challenge. As part of the challenge, participants worked on making significant, positive changes to their health, increasing their personal health and wellbeing and decreasing their risk of workplace injury.   After nine months of focus and effort, Moutere Logging crew 2 (Hariata, Charles, Tru, Todd and Max), based in Karioi Forest near Ohakune, emerged the most improved crew winning a weekend away fishing in Kaikoura. Shannon Crombie from McCarthy Transport in Whanganui taking out the $2000 H&F gear pack individual prize.  Congratulations to all who took part in the challenge. Read the full story at www.ernslaw.co.nz/news

Congratulations Rowena Marshall (Summit Forestry) for winning the Emerging Leader award at the Eastland Wood Council Forestry Awards. Ernslaw proudly support developing leaders across our industry and the East Coast. #forestry #leadership #EWCForestryAwards

A massive congratulations to Eastside Logging who has worked with Ernslaw for over 20 years across challenging terrain, often in remote areas. Eastside Logging has embraced Ernslaw’s environmental improvement strategy and partners with Ernslaw to achieve results. The crew is continually exploring ways to improve their environmental management practices including mechanised processes. Congratulations Eastside Logging on this well-deserved recognition. #EWCForestryAwards2024

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'Forestry family of the year' award at the SNI Wood Council Awards was won by the McCarthy’s of McCarthy Transport who has been working with Ernslaw for three generations. Starting out with four trucks between Mark senior and his sons, they now run 134 trucks and employ over 200 people. Congratulations to the McCarthy's team, well deserved recognition. For more on this story go to www.ernslaw.co.nz

Ernslaw is proud to be working with some of the best in the industry following the recently announced winners of the Southern North Island (SNI) Forestry Awards. Moutere Logging who has been working with Ernslaw for 13 years picked up the Contractor of the year award by its Moutere 2 crew which is a fully mechanised ground-based crew working in Karioi Forest. Congratulations M2 on this fantastic recognition.  To read more on this story go to www.ernslaw.co.nz

Presented by Craig Davey, Horizons Regional Council Biodiversity and Pest Control Coordinator, at the North Island Wilding Pine Network Meeting last week, was a token of appreciation “for the many years representing the forest industry controlling pest conifers and protecting Mt Ruapehu.” Congratulations Keith Wood for this well-earned accolade! #forestry #recognition

The Ngahere Explorers visit the "Gruffalo Forest" next to Ernslaw's Tapanui office once a week. The forest is an area with unique mix stand including some 118-year old Radiata, 75-year-old Douglas Fir, 43-year-old Eucalyptus Regnans and other species. This area is regularly visited by the public including mountain bikers, walkers (human and their dogs) and a group of kids called “The Ngahere Explorers” and this area is known as Gruffalo forest to them. The Ngahere Explorers was initiated by Tapanui’s early childhood center - KidzWay, 8 years ago. The Ngahere Explorers programme aims to nurture and enhance a wide array of skills and qualities, including confidence, social interaction, language proficiency, motivation, concentration, curiosity, creativity, physical abilities, problem-solving, and a deep understanding of the great outdoors. Their time in the Gruffalo forest is great to develop their imagination and encourage them to come out of their shell. The kids are encouraged to come up with ideas for what to do, building hut is one of their favorites!  The Ngahere Explorers recently invited our Tapanui staff to join them in their smoko on a new location due to their usual spot had been closed for harvesting activity (Ernsaw's Health and Safety rules). Our staff explained to the Explorers that some of the trees are going to be cut down and the area will look a little bit different. "We told them that the area would be replanted, and a new and improved bike track would be developed.' said Phil de la Mare, Ernslaw's General Manager for the South Island. This was followed by an opportunity to ask questions. The Head Teacher Denise believed the open communication is a good step for helping them understand what is happening and why. When the operations are finished and it is safe to return, the Ngahere explorers will be back for their weekly visits.