A local Taumarunui silviculture contractor is helping to provide local employment opportunities, while also playing a role in helping to mitigate climate change.
For over 25 years, Manunui Silviculture has been employing members of the local Taumarunui community. During the peak planting season, the busines employs around 24 locals, while 10 are employed on a regular basis for pruning.
Manunui Silviculture owner, James Bennett, says he looks to the community to find workers for upcoming seasons, including shearers looking for additional seasonal work.
“As some of our work is seasonal, our employment levels depend on the time of year. Each year I can be training and managing mostly new employees to the industry, but I do have a group of 10 guys who are employed all year round – some of them have been with my business for more than seven or eight years,” says James Bennett.
“I’m always training young guys – it can be a big effort to train workers because a lot of it relies on having a good attitude and fitness. However, after the first two weeks it gets easier, and a lot of this also comes down to them learning how to work as a team and look after themselves to be able to sustain energy for an eight-hour day.”
Manunui Silviculture tends to focus on planting in the local Taumarunui area. For the last three years, the business has worked with New Zealand Carbon Farming on their local properties for four months of each year – three months of planting and another month of spraying.
New Zealand Carbon Farming is one of the biggest contributors to New Zealand’s climate change response. Over the past decade, they have captured more than 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of taking every car off New Zealand’s roads for a whole year – all with the assistance from local planters and forest managers.
“We really enjoy working with New Zealand Carbon Farming,” says James Bennett.
“Their health and safety standards are high, and there is a huge emphasis on upgrading existing access tracks to a high safety standard – they particularly believe safety around all-terrain and light utility vehicles is paramount.”
“And, with the way carbon and forestry in general is going, it means it will continue to ensure my business has work, both now and in the future.”
New Zealand Carbon Farming General Manager, Peter Casey, says that while helping to mitigate climate change is a big part of what they do, ensuring that the local communities they work in have employment opportunities is an essential part of the way the business operates.
“Working with contractors like James and his team is great because not only are they hard workers who excel at their job, but it also means that they can provide local employment, as well as additional skills and training, which can have a lasting impact on the regional economy,” says Peter.
James Bennett says for those considering a career in forestry, getting out there and giving it a go is the best way to start and get a feel for the industry.
“In a small town like this, you have to take the opportunities as they arise. Silviculture isn’t for everyone but it’s a good career path to take if you like the outdoors, and there is always a big demand for silviculture workers.”