17 winners were celebrated as the Central North Island Forestry industry came together for the Central North Island Forestry Awards on Friday 31 October 2025.
Kaumātua Leo Rika (Ngāti Whakaue) opened the event with a karakia, creating a safe space for the event and welcoming the 360 guests in attendance.
Keynote speaker Tania Tapsell, Mayor of Rotorua, congratulated the nominees and winners on their outstanding achievements, who represent the dedication, innovation, and leadership that help grow a strong and sustainable forestry community. She remarked on the importance that forestry plays to the region and thanked everyone for playing their part in supporting the local economy.
Local government’s presence was acknowledged and appreciated by event organisers the Central North Island Wood Council, with Kawerau District Council’s Mayor Faylene Tunui and South Waikato District Councillor Thomas Lee also in attendance.
MC Jackie Clarke entertained throughout the evening, with banter, anecdotes and songs, including a cover of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and Nina Simone’s Spell On You, given that the event coincided with Halloween.
With 44 nominees up for awards, 17 awards were presented on the night, recognising efforts from across the forestry supply chain. These included:
Outstanding Environmental Leadership – Norbert Klien, Summit Forests NZ
Female in Forestry – Aroha Royal, Safe T Works
Hero of the Year – Gary Whittaker, Peacock Logging
Implementation of Innovative Technologies or Mechanical Solutions – Peter Phillips, Phillips Cartage Contractors
Apprentice of the Year – Charlie Moana, King Country Harvesting Ltd
Silviculture Excellence – Kaiyah Te Ahuru, Ruapehu Agricultural Development Services
Forest Service Excellence – Stu Billington, McFall Fuels
Forest Engineering Excellence – Jayde Cook, C&R Construction
Harvesting Excellence – Stevie Namara, G White Logging
Distribution Excellence – Josie Marenga Joseph, Claymark Group Ltd Partnership
Wood Processing & Manufacturing Excellence – Rajvir Singh, Claymark Group Ltd Partnership
Log Truck Driver Excellence – Sarah Hickman, Phillips Cartage Contractors
Log Processing Excellence – Shaun Kapene, FAST Harvesting Ltd
Trainee of the Year – Levi Casey, FAST Harvesting Ltd
Outstanding Regional Service Award – The New Zealand Timber Museum
Outstanding Health & Safety Award – Portia Alexander, Claymark Group Ltd Partnership
Good Deed Award – Clint Maxwell, G White Logging
CNIWC CEO Damita Mita thanked everyone for attending.
“Thank you to our nominees, sponsors, and supporters for making this event possible. Together, we’re building a safer, stronger, and more connected forestry sector.”
