KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP
Trade Barriers
James Treadwell has been meeting with the Minister on various topics.
The Trade Minister has requested NZIF members to identify non-tariff trade barriers. In his capacity, he is committed to dismantling such obstacles. For instance, New Zealand timber faces challenges entering Australia due to non-compliance with their building standards.
Could you please respond to this request and email to: NZIF Office who will collate your responses.
Thank you.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: Council and Registration Board
The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) is currently seeking nominations for positions on both the NZIF Council and the NZIF Registration Board.
NZIF Council (10 positions):
President
Vice President
Eight Councillors
Nominees for Members of Council must be Full Voting Members, Retired Associate Members or Associate Members.
NOTE: We are pleased to advise that the MoJ has signed off on the new rule changes. This means that the above nominations now apply
NZIF Registration Board (2 positions)
One position shall be either a Retired Registered Member or Registered Member elected at the same time and in the same manner as members of the Council except that only Registered Members are eligible to cast a vote.
The other position shall be a Full Voting Member, elected at the same time and in the same manner as members of the Council.
Nominations for both Council and the Registration Board must have no fewer than two (2) nominee members, neither of whom may be a Student Member. A signature where applicable on the nomination form is required for it to be valid.
Nominations must be submitted to NZIF by 5:00pm, Thursday, 29th February 2024.
Full details on more specific rules and requirements can be found in the NZIF Rules available online under: About Us/Governing Rules
Nomination details and forms and more specific requirements can be found online under:
Member Only Area/Nominations
Members need to be signed into the members only area of the NZIF website to access the above nomination information and download nomination forms.
MUKA TANGATA FORESTRY QUALIFICATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT 2024
Muka Tangata launched the review of the suite of Forestry qualifications in May 2023. The review will result in a fit for purpose, flexible, and future-proof suite of qualifications for the Forest industry group to ensure learners are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attributes to succeed. Pathways for career development in Forestry is also being explored as part of the review.
This year, Muka Tangata is working on qualifications, standards and micro-credentials in particular areas of Forestry – Harvesting, Silviculture and Forestry Earthworks.
Project Plan Key Dates for 2024
- February - Expressions of interest sent for industry and provider representation for Level 3 and 4 working groups.
- 26 February - 8 March - National roadshows.
- March - Develop Level 3 and 4 qualifications, micro-credentials, and skill standards; develop Level 6 qualification and standards.
- May - Submit Level 6 qualification and standards to NZQA.
- June - Submit Level 3 and 4 qualifications, micro-credentials, and skill standards to NZQA.
How you can have your say:
Roadshows
Muka Tangata are holding roadshows across the country to:
- build partnerships with key forestry stakeholders, wood councils and other organisations.
- provide an opportunity for open discussions and questions about the project.
- form working groups for the project.
Registration form: https://ncv.microsoft.com/BUPw9SidGi
Or link to website Forestry qualification development project 2024 - Muka Tangata
Advisory Groups
There will be four different types of advisory groups, each related to specific Forestry groups – Harvesting, Silviculture and Forestry Earthworks.
Steering Group - provides overview and guidance to the qualification and technical advisory groups.
Qualification Advisory Group - provides overview and guidance towards qualification development.
Technical Advisory Group - provides subject matter knowledge and advice on qualifications and standards and micro-credentials.
Provider Advisory Group - provides feedback and guidance from a programming perspective.
Registration form: https://ncv.microsoft.com/BC4EQBjfin
Or link to website Forestry qualification development project 2024 - Muka Tangata
Provide feedback on learner needs
Your input will guide skill standard development, ensuring a well-equipped workforce for future challenges and opportunities.
Even if you cannot attend a roadshow or joining an advisory group you can still provide your feedback. Use the link to outline skills and knowledge for success in your industry.
Feedback form: https://ncv.microsoft.com/6GovKClBt7
Or link to website Forestry qualification development project 2024 - Muka Tangata
For any queries, please contact Esther.Meek@mukatangata.nz
Memories of John Halkett
John spent almost ten years at Kaikohe District Office with the Kauri Management Unit. He later kept in touch with local ex-staff on his periodic visits north to visit his Whangarei based daughter Jonelle when based off-shore.
On his last visit north John Halkett recalled a highlight of his public service career. At the time of DOC establishment Guy Salmon rode into town in his hour of triumph to meet with the establishment team. Possibly seeing himself cast in the role of Jesus Christ descended come to cleanse the temple of the money lenders. Delegated to treat with him were Messer’s Holloway, Hoskins and Halkett. The expression on Guy's face on encountering the Holy Trinity cross dressing as the establishment team remains one of Johns most treasured memories. For Guy it must have been a road to Damascus experience finding the entrance to his earth barred and three foxes in charge of the hen house.
Circumstances found John Halkett and Trev near Dargaville during the toheroa season and a diversion to Baileys Beach became inevitable to gather in the endangered but succulent bivalve. On their departing the beach, the fisheries officers sprang their trap rummaging the deck, glove box and engine compartment and coming up empty. They waved the truck through. The future DOC Conservator for Northland just smiled and waved as he drove away. Sitting there on his sack of toheroa.
This tale relates to an event known later in office shorthand as porcini fornacartum. Now John Halkett retained the services of a young lady of considerable personal attraction as an artist whose task was to furnish illustrations for his Kauri Master Plan. This was the time of the Renaissance which saw horse counters at Aupouri, kiwi counters at Waitangi, a school of Maori carving at Russell, archaeologists, well everywhere, and a brace of recreational planners at District Office the better for us to recreate. The advent of the Northland Forest Park saw further worker increments in the form of three pair of Green Breasted Totara Percher’s. Subsequent events proved these to be breeding pairs. In this context the discovery of a previously unidentified need for an office artist in residence was unremarkable. All this was made possible by “Reg 130”. Like “Catch 22”, Reg 130 was simple of construct, breath-taking in compass, widespread in application and easy to administer. It was a scenario designed to send the razor gang of Messer’s Prebble, Douglas and Bassett fleeing howling from the room. For Nigel the district 2ic, raised in the sterner school of National Forest Survey, the world was becoming a confusing and unfamiliar place. He tried to adjust to the new world and indeed managed to extract some amusement by baiting new arrivals. An approach which would not work with the old stagers who were inured to such advances. The ecologist in residence, Lisa, did not mind talking a little bit dirty with Nige as it helped pass the day on long hot afternoons when time hung heavily. The artist in residence was haughty, proud and sheik and liked her revenge served cold. She produced a magnificent drawing called “The reclining Nige”. It showed Nigel leaning back against a 7 wire fence, trousers around his ankles, blowing a series of perfect smoke rings and sharing a stogie (cigar) with pig.
It was some sadness I once read of Virgin Galactic’s proposed filing for Chapter Eleven at the US Supreme Court, severing as it would a link of district office with sub orbital space travel. People of Kaikohe should remember and celebrate the association the town has with the nurturing of New Zealand’s first space cadet. This being Captain Halkett of Guys road going boldly where no New Zealander has gone before. The Captain part is simply explained, this being Johns substantive rank in the Kings NZ Territorial Forces, more familiarly known in the Officer’s Mess as “the cut lunch cowboys” or “Michael Rodents Army”(Micky Mouse Brigade) if in the cups and voice, sung to the tune of Lillie Marlene. The space bit came later courtesy of Richard Branson. The Virgin people realised early on that their potential client base was high nett worth individuals and as such, likely to be the wrong side of sixty years, probably have existing medical conditions and possibly prone to medical events. Clearly some sort of screening program was desirable to establish medical parameters and provide a source of guinea pigs for initial flights. A call for volunteers went out. John’s missus was and is a travel agent who co-incidentally held Australian ticketing rights for Virgin Galactic and she immediately submitted John’s name. While her motive for doing so is unclear, she certainly realised that this was an opportunity John could no more turn his back on than he could a feeding frenzy. It was Dave Bartram our FBO, who on learning John had been awarded a David Henry Scholarship in an earlier year, remarked that we should be able to plot John’s course across the continental US from the eruptive appearance of middens of KFC bones and Big Mac wrappers. Off to Pasadena went our hero where he was variously centrifuged, accelerated, decelerated and hyperbaric tested and whatever else they do to wannabe astronauts. Accompanying John in his endeavours was a Saudi Arabian fighter pilot who had freshly crashed his $60 million F18. This son of Saud was back for reprogramming. John passed out and onto the waiting list for flights. That this will happen at that time now seems doubtful. One sage suggested then the Thai Air Force program as a substitute. This employs an Ezekiel’s wheel and the deployment more fully described on You Tube and can be accessed by entering” third world space program” in the task bar.
District office produced two pachyderm mahouts in the form of Ross Lockyer and John Halkett with both working in Burma. In Ross’s case he was assigned the task of evaluating an elephant logging operation for a development bank. Ross drew the short straw as his job required travel up river in a country boat. The boys own adventure entailed sleeping on the deck assailed by insects, a bucket for abolitions and taking his ease in the stern sheets while fortified with rice, dried fish and country spirit. John got the long straw having been persuaded by some Burmese Generals on an earlier visit that Buddha would be inclined to look more favourably on his desire to export teak lumber if John could only see his way clear to supporting an elephants retirement home. Booking in to his usual Rangoon hotel he found the Smiling Buddha had indeed blessed him. For the Miss Universe competition for that year was being held in Burma and yes, was in town at Johns very own hotel. Protocol demanded John locate Miss New Zealand and a bevy of other beauties for a photo op. John was always coy in discussing the thereafter.
Written by Maurice Williamson
Dear Members
NZIF Plaque Installation - Hawkes Bay / Gisborne Sections
