Media Release
26 August 2014
Forest Managers Branch Out For Safety Training
A Kerikeri-based forest management company is helping its staff grow their health and safety knowledge. A total of 12
candidates, eight from the Northland Forest Managers team and four contractors, are taking advantage of flexible
training offered by NorthTec, studying in their workplace for a National Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
(level 4).
Two NorthTec tutors travel from Whangarei to Kerikeri to run the programme, giving flexible assignment deadlines to fit
around work requirements. The tutors are also available for informal coaching sessions for those that need them.
With forestry acknowledged as one of New Zealand’s most dangerous and hazardous industries, Northland Forest Managers
co-owner Liz Kingsford decided to get ahead of current and upcoming health and safety legislation.
By bringing senior staff and contractors together in one programme, which was specifically designed and tailored to
their needs by NorthTec, the company has created a strong safety culture.
With bases in Kerikeri and Dargaville, Northland Forest Managers are responsible for nearly 20,000 hectares of forest
land throughout the region. The company manages the forests on behalf of its land-owning clients and, with a contract
workforce of more than 150 people, presently has 10-plus crews working across Northland.
Liz Kingsford said that she and husband Nick, who is Managing Director of the company, decided last year that they
wanted to raise the baseline level of health and safety management within their business.
Liz said: “Health and safety is a learned skill. We take the view that we are a management company in a position of
managing other organisations and operations. We needed to have a certain level of expertise in-house to ensure we were
doing it diligently.
“The NorthTec programme has created a common understanding of what the requirements and obligations are, and how
important it is to see that right through at an operational level. It is an applied science. It also shares the
responsibility across the organisation and creates a culture of health and safety.
“We wanted everyone to be competent managers of operations in terms of the health and safety aspects they would have to
manage. There was no point in just one person doing the training – we wanted to lift the whole game. It’s a prudent
investment in our staff and our company.”
Liz added: “What has been good about NorthTec is the fact that they have structured a course and timed it to fit around
our requirements. We are able to have the training in our own premises, and the programme focuses on our own industry –
we can really target it to forestry.”
Employee Kieran Sharp, a forestry supervisor, said the programme was giving him a better understanding of health and
safety legislation and a clearer overview of safety practices across the industry.
Simone Rakena, NorthTec’s Programme Leader for Safe Trades, praised the company’s proactive approach to health and
safety. “Northland Forest Managers have a quality focus which means they are always looking at how they can improve
their company. They have taken on this challenge, not because they are being forced to, but because they want to be at
the top of their game.”
ENDS