Whanau Forestry Day with Rata Forest Management and Ra Whakapono Logging inland from Te Karaka

Kia Ora Koutou
As CEO of the Eastland Wood Council I am pleased to share a brief report about a Forestry Whanau Day held recently in Te Karaka – one of many being held across the district.
I also want to thank some amazing people –
Tania Gibb, Director of Ra Whakapono Logging for leading the organisation and this Forestry Whanau Day.
Dave (Rawiri) Pikia of Rātā Forest Management Ltd for leading the forestry / tour to view affected areas and an operations demonstration to de-risk impacted areas; flats, riverbanks and riverbeds.
Sarah Stewart
 of WorkSafe for her leadership and support with standing up and enabling the delivery of Forestry Whanau Days right across the district in conjunction with Te Kawa a Tane, MPI NIWE and EWC.
This event was a really uplifting experience for the forestry workers and too their family’s.
For one family it was the first time the children had witnessed their father operating an excavator.
After such a challenging year, these events are great networking, they improve whanau and kaimahi relationships and acknowledge the mana of these hard working people who are the backbone of our primary industry.
I felt most grateful to attend with my youngest son Ormond to share time with such good people.
Acknowledgements
Tania and Irvin Gibb and crew from
Ra Whakapono Logging.
Dave (Rawiri) Pikia and the good team from Rātā Forest Management Ltd
Sarah Stewart
, Manager Strategic Interventions – Forestry, WorkSafe
Ben Kendrick, AB Equipment
Petra at Bundles of Bounce
Something unqiue fairy floss
Steve at Competenz
Krissy at Hear 4 U
Eastland Oil
Shaws
Eastland Wood Council for gazebo and books etc
Discover Forestry
MPI in conjunction with NIWE for providing financial support to help resource these important events
The photos below have been used with approval.
For photos and comments contact 
Tania Gibb 021 107 2696
Sarah Stewart 021 796 502