Working in New Zealand advice

[BladesmanArb]

Hi all,

 

Looking for some good advice in getting forestry/ground work in New Zealand starting around September if possible?

 

Not fussy about where I'm based as I've been before to play rugby and it's all good!

 

Currently work for a firewood firm at supervisor level of which I do all the felling myself so I'm very used to hard work. Looking into forwarding/harvester but training costs are astronomical in the UK!

 

Got my CS30,31,32,38, UA1 and emergency first aid. Will hopefully have UA2.1 & 5, CS39, pruning and chipper tickets by September (money permitting!)

 

Would it be best to sort a job first or just go out with a visa?

Any work/visa advice no matter how big or small would be really useful.

 

Cheers

[hamdogg]

Try asplundh! Really good company and are always needing men!!

[Taupotreeman]

The likes of Asplundh and Treescape should be able to streamline the visa application process. Both have pre approval with immigration I believe. Not the best outfits to work for but most definitely not the worst. Plenty of good guys and work locations. Probably the easiest way to start and it will give you time to get your bearings and look for alternatives if the big two aren't your thing. Plenty of small outfits looking for staff in smaller towns which often have much more of a close knit community feel. Check on seek and trademe. Plenty of jobs advertised for arborists. If you can walk in to a job with your visa already sorted it just saves on the panic later and means you can start earning straight away. And one thing to bear in mind; Auckland is one of the most expensive cities in the world so think long and hard before basing yourself there.

[atree]

Most companies are looking for staff.Depending on your skill level and experience id avoid the 2 big companies (from my experience)

[BladesmanArb]

Thanks for the replies, are Asplundh and Treescape mainly arborist companies or abit of forestry as well as I'd still class myself as a groundie until my climbing confidence grows.

 

I had a PM about this post warning forestry in NZ is full of "Maori and hard drug users, so be careful" which I though very unfair!

 

Does anyone have any advice on costs of visa and rent/locations etc.

 

Thanks again

[Fredward]

Yes it does sound unfair to stereotype but it can be true. There is a high accident rate in nz forestry crews but safety will depend on what company you work for. The guys travel large distances and work long hours, there is also a drug and alcohol culture for sure. The pay for cutters will not be that high, perhaps as a manager better. Lots of timber is grown in the central north island, but there are forestry blocks everywhere. Pinus radiata is the predominant species, likely in excess of 95%? Possibly thought about working in with a land clearing operation? The pay should be better and you may get training on machines

[Taupotreeman]

I don't think that's entirely true anymore. Yep, there's a massive issue with serious injuries and fatalities but I think the drug culture has declined massively due in no small part to random drug testing and the industry coming under intense scrutiny from WorkSafe. There's still a drink culture but not at work anymore. According to the recent WorkSafe report its more about employees working longer hours due to poor pay and getting fatigued along with corner cutting to make ends meet. Whatever, it's still a dangerous industry and different from that in the UK.

There is a high number of Maori employed by forestry but I feel that's more to do with where the

Industry is located. Most forestry is based around small working class towns in predominantly Maori areas. Doesn't mean they're a bunch of idiots. These working class towns are generally one or two industry towns, like mine, Turangi. You work for either the prison, DoC or Forestry. NZ is very different from the UK. One third of the population is now in Auckland so any smaller towns are dying.

With regard to the big two; they are arb companies but do some Land clearing work as well with the bigger machinery.

[Taupotreeman]

And apparently Christchurch is crying out for arbies but check trademe for available jobs. If you want to settle in Auckland be aware that rents are high.

[atree]

And apparently Christchurch is crying out for arbies but check trademe for available jobs. If you want to settle in Auckland be aware that rents are high.

 

There's work going just about everywhere.Not enough climbers for the amount of work.

[arborlicious]

I've also heard rents are high in Christchurch due to high demand after earthquakes (aftershocks) caused havoc 4 years ago.

 

Hopefully you're up with the lingo from your last visit - here's a refresher:

 

sweet as

choice

bro

kai

cuz

jandals

kumara

L&P

tiki tour

gum-boots

chilly bin

hunky dory

wop wops

 

I was out in the wop wops with my cuz on a tiki tour. Forgot me gum-boots so had to wear jandals. Nothing to drink but warm L&P since I left the chilly bin at home too. Choice eh. Yeah Bro. Sweet as.