Award Categories

Awards Categories
These categories cover the full supply chain from silviculture to logging, road civil engineering and then to truck drivers, port marshalling and stevedoring. Some will be very specific to a sector of the industry, but the general ones are available to anyone.
Nominations can be made by your company, your manager, your colleague or your can self-nominate. If you require assistance completing the required content, please contact us and we can assist you.
INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE
Outstanding Regional Service Award
This award celebrates an individual or organisation who delivers exceptional professional services. It recognises those who demonstrate a commitment to exemplary service, responsiveness, and continuous improvement-hallmarks of customer-focussed excellence.
Open to individuals and organisations who are committed to delivering exceptional professional services to any aspect of the forest or wood industry, who can:
Demonstrate a consistent track record of providing high quality, reliable and professional services.
Show a proactive approach to understanding and meeting clients needs, including timely communications, flexibility and effective problem solving.
Exhibit a strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement.
Possess strong technical expertise and continually invests in training and professional development to ensure service excellence.
Has established and maintained effective systems, processes, or technologies that enhance the customer experience, such as feedback mechanisms, safety protocols, or streamlined service delivery models.
SPONSORED BY

Outstanding Health & Safety Leadership
This award celebrates an individual or organisation who demonstrates exceptional commitment to health and safety within the forestry industry, going well beyond standard regualtory compliance. It recognised those who set new benchmarks in safety performance, innovation and leadership.
Open to individuals and organisations who are committed to creating safer workplaces and advancing the health and safety culture within forestry, who can:
Comply with, or surpass, the baseline Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the Approved Code of Practice for Health and Safety in Forest Operations and the Competenze Best Practice Guidelines.
If applicable, have managed a specific health and safety event or incident with outstanding professionalism, effectiveness or merit.
If applicable, have developed or implemented a new or innovative health and safety product, process, or initiative that provides a significant benefit to the forestry industry.
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Outstanding Environmental Leadership
This award celebrates an individual or organisation who demonstrates outdtnding commitmentto environmental management within the forestry industry, going well beyond standard regulatory compliance. It recognises those that lead by example, invest in sustainable practices and drive innovation to protect and enhance the environment.
Open to individuals and organisations who are committed to advancing environmental sustainability, protecting natural resources, and making a lasting positive impact within the forestry sector, who can:
Demonstrate clear leadership in environmental stewardship, setting high standards for sustainable forestry and inspiring other within the industry.
Provide evidence of significant investment in environmental initiatives, adoption of innovative practices, or development of new solutions the enhance the environment outcomes for forestry operations.
Demonstrate robust operational practices that foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement, leading to measurable enhancements in environmental performance.
Present endorsements or testimonials from industry peers, community members, or stakeholders that acknowledge the positive environmental impact of the nominee's work.
SPONSORED BY

Female in Forestry Award
This award celebrates an individual woman who demonstrates outstanding excellence across a diverse range of skills within the forest or wood industry. The recipient will have gone above and beyond best practice guidelines in any area of the forest and wood industry, including-but not limited to-logistics, harvesting, processing, safety, distribution, wood processing and manufacturing and silviculture. The award celebrates women who set new standards of professionalism, leadership, and commitment within the sector.
Open to women who are making a significant impact in the forestry and wood industry, inspiring others, and contributing to the advancement of the industry, who can:
Consistently produce work of exceptional standard, reflecting accuracy, reliability, and professionalism.
Exhibit a strong work ethic and deliver productive results in their role.
Provide evidence of continuous learning, skill advancement, or professional development relevant to her field.
Adhere to and promote best practices in environmental stewardship and workplace health and safety.
Receive endorsements, testimonials, or formal recognition from colleagues, supervisors, or industry stakeholders.
Be known for integrity, honesty, reliability, and a positive attitude both in and outside the workplace
SPONSORED BY

Hero of the Year Award
This award honours an individual who has demonstrated remarkable courage, achieved outstanding accomplishments, or displayed noble qualities through their actions-whether intentional or unintentional. The Hero of the Year Award celebrates those who inspire others and make a significant positive impact within the forestry industry or their community.
Open to individuals whose actions set them apart as true heroes in their field, who can.
Submit clear documentation or examples that showcase the actions or achievements for which they are being recognised.
Be acknowledged or endorsed by colleagues, supervisors, or industry stakeholders for their admirable conduct or achievements.
Implementation of Innovative Technologies or Mechanical Solutions Award
This award recognises a business, team or indivual that has successfully commercialed or implemented new technology, innovative solution, or mechanical strategy within the forestry or wood industry. The award highlights those whose advancements have delivered measurable improvements, added value, or driven significant progress in operational efficiency, safety, sustainability or productivity.
Open to businesses, teams, or individuals operating within the forestry industry or related sectors, who can:
Show clear evidence of innovative thinking, expertise, or leadership in developing or adopting new technologies, processes, or mechanical solutions.
There must be measurable outcomes or significant benefits resulting from the implementation, such as improved productivity, enhanced safety, cost savings, environmental gains, or value creation for the forestry industry.
The innovation or strategy should be acknowledged by peers, clients, or the wider industry as a valuable advancement.
The solution should demonstrate potential for ongoing positive impact, be sustainable in practice, and have the capacity for broader adoption within the sector.
SPONSORED BY

SKILLED PROFESSIONALS
Silvicultural Excellence
This award recognises an individual who demonstrates outstanding achievement and professionalism in silviculture, consistently exceeding best practice standards.
To be eligible for this award the individual must:
Demonstrates exceptional skill, knowledge, and innovation.
Shows leadership in promoting and implementing sustainable forestry techniques, with measurable positive impacts.
Contributes to team development, training, or mentoring.
Demonstrates initiative by identifying and solving complex challenges, or by introducing new methods or technologies that enhance outcomes.
Acts as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and dedication within the forestry community.
SPONSORED BY

Forest Service Excellence
This award recognises an individual who demonstrates exceptional achievement and professionalism in the provision of goods and/or services consistently exceeding best practice standards.
To be eligible for this award the individual must:
Demonstrates outstanding skill, knowledge and expertise in their area of service/s.
Exhibits a strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement in service delivery.
Consistently delivers a high-quality service, with attention to detail and a commitment to continuous improvement in forestry operations.
Identifies and implements innovative solutions to complex challenges, or introduces new methods, technologies, or efficiencies that enhance forestry service outcomes.
Is recognised by clients, or the wider industry for their integrity, dedication, and exemplary service.
SPONSORED BY

Forest Engineering Excellence
This award recognises an individual who demonstrates outstanding achievement and professionalism in in any area of ‘forest engineering’, including building roads, skids, landings and forestry infrastructure including quarries, consistently exceeding best practice standards.
To be eligible for this award the individual must:
Demonstrates exceptional skill, knowledge, and innovation.
Shows leadership in promoting and implementing sustainable forestry techniques, with measurable positive impacts.
Exhibits a strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement.
Contributes to team development, training, or mentoring.
Demonstrates initiative by identifying and solving complex challenges, or by introducing new methods or technologies that enhance outcomes.
Acts as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and dedication within the forestry community.
SPONSORED BY

Harvesting Excellence
This award recognises an individual who demonstrates outstanding achievement and professionalism in harvesting, consistently exceeding best practice standards.
To be eligible for this award the individual must:
Demonstrates exceptional skill, knowledge, and innovation.
Shows leadership in promoting and implementing sustainable forestry techniques, with measurable positive impacts.
Exhibits a strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement.
Contributes to team development, training, or mentoring.
Demonstrates initiative by identifying and solving complex challenges, or by introducing new methods or technologies that enhance outcomes.
Acts as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and dedication within the forestry community.
SPONSORED BY

Distribution Excellence
This award recognises an individual who demonstrates outstanding achievement and professionalism in distribution, including dispatch, port workers, stevedoring and marshalling consistently exceeding best practice standards.
To be eligible for this award the individual must:
Demonstrates exceptional skill, knowledge, and innovation.
Shows leadership in promoting and implementing sustainable forestry techniques, with measurable positive impacts.
Exhibits a strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement.
Contributes to team development, training, or mentoring.
Demonstrates initiative by identifying and solving complex challenges, or by introducing new methods or technologies that enhance outcomes.
Acts as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and dedication within the forestry community.
Wood Processing & Manufacturing Excellence
This award recognises an individual who demonstrates outstanding achievement and professionalism in wood processing and manufacturing consistently exceeding best practice standards.
To be eligible for this award the individual must:
Demonstrates exceptional skill, knowledge, and innovation.
Shows leadership in promoting and implementing sustainable forestry techniques, with measurable positive impacts.
Exhibits a strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement.
Contributes to team development, training, or mentoring.
Demonstrates initiative by identifying and solving complex challenges, or by introducing new methods or technologies that enhance outcomes.
Acts as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and dedication within the forestry community.
Log Truck Driver Excellence
This award recognises an individual who demonstrates outstanding achievement and professionalism in log truck driving, consistently exceeding best practice standards.
To be eligible for this award the individual must:
Demonstrates exceptional skill, knowledge, and innovation.
Shows leadership in promoting and implementing sustainable forestry techniques, with measurable positive impacts.
Exhibits a strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement.
Contributes to team development, training, or mentoring.
Demonstrates initiative by identifying and solving complex challenges, or by introducing new methods or technologies that enhance outcomes.
Acts as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and dedication within the forestry community.
SPONSORED BY

Log Processing Excellence
This award recognises an individual who demonstrates outstanding achievement and professionalism in mechanical log processing consistently exceeding best practice standards.
To be eligible for this award the individual must:
Demonstrates exceptional skill, knowledge, and innovation.
Shows leadership in promoting and implementing sustainable forestry techniques, with measurable positive impacts.
Exhibits a strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement.
Contributes to team development, training, or mentoring.
Demonstrates initiative by identifying and solving complex challenges, or by introducing new methods or technologies that enhance outcomes.
Acts as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and dedication within the forestry community.
TRAINING EXCELLENCE
Industry Training Achievement of the Year
This award recognises an individual’s commitment to self-development and skill achievement through industry training and completion over the past 12 months.
To be eligible for this award the individual must:
Demonstrates commitment to self-development and skill achievement through the completion a minimum of one New Zealand Certificate in the training year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
Be employed in the forest and wood industry at the time of nomination.
SPONSORED BY

Apprentice of the Year
This award recognises an individual’s commitment to self-development and skill achievement through industry training and completion over the past 12 months.
To be eligible for this award the individual must:
Demonstrates commitment to self-development and skill achievement through the completion an Apprenticeship in the training year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
Be employed in the forest and wood industry at the time of nomination.
SPONSORED BY

OTHER AWARDS
Good Deed Award
This award recognises an individual within the forest or wood industry for a good deed, for paying it forward, for helping others or for supporting a charity through an initiative or action, we are looking for someone who:
Does something for someone else without thinking about themselves.
Does something over and beyond the call of duty actions, we are looking for.
Nominate them here and on the night of the awards, we will ask for the people to choose their winner, votes counted and the person acknowledged with a perpetual trophy and miniature to keep.
SPONSORED BY
