Focus on kaimahi at the Forestry Hub at this year’s A&P Show

13 November 2024 

This year the Eastland Wood Council retained the privilege of co-ordinating the Forestry Hub at this year’s Poverty Bay Association A&P Show. Allysha Ah-Nau, newly employed as the manager for EWC took the hub in a new direction this year, with the theme “Forestry: Our People”.  

“It was important to me to create a space within the A&P show for the kaimahi of our industry to bring their families to the hub and celebrate the mahi they do. They are often gone before their kids wake up and get home late – I wanted to provide an opportunity to talk about the things they do, take part in forestry related quizzes/competitions and have a chance to win prizes.” 

And so the “Kaimahi Comp” was born; comprised of a fairly high level forestry quiz provided by Amohau Maxwell from JNL, a “Guess the Tonnage” of the logging truck and trailer installed at the hub by Qube Forestry, and a logo quiz which provided some hilarious answers from the public. Shaw’s Gisborne, Terra Cat and Kuru Contracting Ltd sponsored tshirts, hoodies, caps, drink coolers and lollies as prizes which were well received by participants. Kids weren’t forgotten either, with colouring pages and a treasure hunt that took place throughout the entire venue. Alongside the rig, AB Equipment Ltd sponsored a leveller to be showcased which drew the crowds and provided an amazing photo opportunity.  

Tūranga Ararau and Drive 35, both Private Training Enterprises (PTE) within the district had information available to talk people through what education programs they offer, with the Ruapani Forestry School simulator being the biggest hit of the weekend, including with Minister for Forestry Todd McLay on his visit to the hub as part of his A&P Show tour. Stan Hovell and Rob Harrison had their students there throughout the two days to support and provide insight to what one can expect when enrolled in their courses. Women in Forestry, FICA and Future Foresters all had representation and information available and were instrumental in sharing good works done by each organisation with the public.  

The 2024 Forestry Hub had it’s highest interaction with public since it started, with over approximately 1000 people through the space over two days. Allysha also arranged for the EWC to partially sponsor the Timbersports this year with the Eastcoast Axemen, with a plan to create a better and more interactive Forestry Hub in conjunction with a bigger Timbersports programme in their newly built arena in 2025, as part of the A&P Show’s 150 year anniversary.