Forestry gears up as log exports resume

Log exports have resumed at Port Taranaki as the region’s forestry industry regroups after a fiveweek lay off due to the coronavirus lockdown.

GJ Sole spokeswoman Noelene Sole said the trucking company was back in full operation and following health and safety requirements among the crew and drivers.

A spokeswoman for RJ Dreaver Contractors said employees were driving their own cars to work to comply with physical distancing.

‘‘It’s not an issue while crews are in the bush as the guys are working on their own, but we have not been able to fully use the vans,’’ she said.

New Zealand Forestry Taranaki regional manager Cam Eyre said the month-long break had delayed pre-planting preparation.

‘‘We are behind on spraying for weeds before we plant again this winter,’’ he said.

Eyre said the sector looked promising in the wake of Covid19, with high demand from China for export logs.

In a statement, Port Taranaki chief executive Guy Roper said the resumption of forestry industry operations was a timely boost to the regional economy.

Under alert level four, forestry, the country’s third largest export earner, was brought to halt, he said.

‘‘Forestry industry exports worth more than $6 billion a year to New Zealand had become a steadily growing aspect of trade through Port Taranaki.

‘‘The port had a 26.9 per cent increase in log trade in the last financial year and the industry was important to this region’s economy.’’

The port processed 100 log trucks in the first days after lockdown, and the logs-on-rail service from Whanganui would be fully operational by mid-May.