May 2026
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ISSN 2703-6251
h t o o Sm
Forestry in her blood
Telling a logger’s story
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MAY 2026
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FOREST TALK Trade agreement progress welcomed by NZFOA; Waratah opens its doors to all; WoodTECH 2026: Showcasing the next wave of innovation; Twin berth to benefit forestry; Kiwi foresters contribute to design of new track feller buncher; 50th winch-assist professional development workshop; Handson opportunity with new forestry excavators; Forestry’s challenges and opportunities.
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SHAWS IRON ROPES IRON TEST This month’s Iron Test takes a deep dive into the robust and powerful looking John Deere 953M, coupled with a New Zealand-made Quadco QB4400 fixed felling head, operated by Jody London of Thomassen Logging.
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LOOKING BACK Once a Forest Ranger by Chris Nelson delves into the author’s life and 50-year forestry career that began in the Hawke’s Bay. The book offers a fascinating insight into decades of changes in New Zealand forestry management.
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WOMEN IN FORESTRY She might only be 20, but Kiana Sayer-White has already been recognised for her work in forestry. Destined for a career in farming, a sudden switch in direction saw her working with trees rather than cows.
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May 2026 | NZ LOGGER 1
Iron Test
h t o o m S Story & photos: Tim Benseman
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Jody London puts another tree on the ground in Kaingaroa.
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May 2026 | NZ LOGGER 15
Women in Forestry
The forest has always been a special place for Kiana Sayer-White. And with her father, Aaron, and older brother, Kasey, being in the industry, you could say forestry is in her blood.
A day hunting for Kiana and her twin sister Stevie. 26 NZ LOGGER | May 2026
Story: Dawn Adams Photos: Kiana Sayer-White, SMH Logging and Fuelled Photography and Design
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S A KID, KIANA SAYER-WHITE SAYS she “always loved going out in the truck with Dad and just being out
there”. But throughout her early years of school, that wasn’t where she was heading. For a long time, she planned a future in farming. Along with her friends, she applied, and was accepted, for university, and fully expected to continue her studies once she finished school at 18. The love of the forest kept chipping away at Kiana, though. And towards the end of school, she decided to try and get
into forestry – knowing it was going to be more of a challenge to secure a role there than farming, which she could always return to later. It was work experience that cemented Kiana’s logging plans. Her dad reached out to Shaun Erni and organised a two-week placement for her with Shaun’s SMH Logging crew. Kiana hadn’t met Shaun before, but knew his team, having visited their site a few times over the years with her dad.
“In Year 13, I did some work experience out with Shaun, and he offered me a job. I took it, and it was the best thing I ever did, actually.”
Hunting is one of Kiana’s favourite things to do – here with a sambar stag she shot. May 2026 | NZ LOGGER 27