Taupotreeman

Similar event happened to an outfit here a few months ago. Chainsaw operator didn't know what he was doing and put his (so called) face cut on the uphill side of the tree opposite the direction of fall. The tree (Willow) split approximately 20 feet up the trunk, speared back and landed on him. Punctured lung, busted shoulder and arm etc. ICU for a few days. Soft ground saved his life as he was squished into it. Pictures of the gob cut attached. I iwsh people would call in the pro's instead of trying to save money or time then we wouldn't have to hear about so many of these untimely deaths.

I find that having slightly bent knees works for a while but then starts to put a strain on my lower back. When I first started I used the old Buckingham leather climbing saddle (Asplundh standard issue) and after a few minutes on the spikes I could hardly get my breathe. I had to stop every few metres and stand straight legged on the spikes to get my wind. I suppose its horses for courses and a matter of finding the technique that best suits.

Rob, you can get a working visa just by applying to immigration NZ and you should be able to get details of their website. If you can actually t up a job with a company that's registered with immigration as an approved employer you should be able to get a 2 or 3 year visa like I did. It does mean that you can't just quickly grab a visa and hop on over and will have to do the leg work with organising employment and letters from the employer first but it depend how desperate you are. As for the missus; you can do what I did. She can come over on a holiday visa and look for work over here then apply for a work visa or just do the same as you and apply for a temp work visa before she leaves the UK. Usually it's just a case of having sufficient funds to in the bank and a return ticket already paid for. It really all depends on how long you want to vome over for.

Probaly not, I didn't move down to Taupo until about five years ago but it could well have been the company I worked for at the time (Treescape) as they had a few large bucket trucks, or maybe even Plateau. I think most of the big bucket trucks in NZ top out at 60 feet, are all insulated for work around the lines and are owned by Treescape or Assplunderers. Not too many of the big trees left in Taupo now unfortunately; most have been cut down for the view of the lake but there's still some monster Macs at Huka lodge.

I've done a heap of spiking for the power line companies in OZ and the previous advice is pretty good. Lean back into your flipline or strop but not so far out that you can't touch the tree. If you get koala syndrome you can always try using two strops or flip lines. I usually use two on smooth bark trees like gums; one wire core and one thicker rope strop. Generally, if you do slip the two tend to tie up together and stop you sliding to far but angle of the body to the tree is most important. Always keep your spikes sharpened to manufacturers specs or it makes it hard work getting them in to the pole and then keeping them in. And if you do slip you can always use your face as a brake

Can't speak highly enough of NZ. Originally I was going to move on to OZ but the climate here is easier to cope with. Winters aren't as harsh as the UK and summer is slightly warmer. It's like Britain used to be when I was growing up; safer and more chilled and with a population of just over 4m definately less crowded. Some places you can get a beach to yourself and people are a whole lot more friendly. Add to that the current issues with immigration, crime etc in Britain NZ is just way better from my point of view. The wages aren't as good but the whole lifestyle you get more than makes up for it. My old man came over for a two week holiday back in 2000 and loved it so much he applied for residency which has just been approved. You can find negatives with any place you go to but if you just immerse yourself in the place it's all good. It beats my hometown of Loughborough and working in Snowdonia any day of the week.

Oh, and from what I remember, temp visas are available for one and two years and if you have a good job offer you can just keep extending them. Takes a bit of work but that's how I survived for several years.

OK. one by one. Safety standards in the UK are higher than they are here. For example the safety boots here only need to be steel toe capped and the chainsaw pants only need front protection and even that isn't always that good. Harness supplies are few and far between but I believe there is one outfit in the south island that keeps up to date with the latest gear. Most companies will give your gear a once over to check for fraying etc but general requirements are lower than what you are used too. Couldn't tell you about the cost to get over here but my old man comes over every year and it costs him about 800 sterling return. Be careful with the big companies. With some you become just a number and sometimes safety can go out the window. It also dpends on who you work with. Safety is the responsibility of the individual so if you're working with a nonce who doesn't care what the rules are....... and sometimes it's a case of just get the job done whatever it takes. Be warned.

Nah it's 9 on a Saturday morning here. Should be working but we have a helicopter with a monsoon bucket trying to put out a scrub fire across the road so I'm hanging around for the show before I potter off to deal with some Ivy enveloping a garden.

Although I emmigrated in 98 I didn't actually get my residency until about five years ago because immigration wouldn't look any further than their tick box acceptance forms in front of them. I think it's OK if you have the all the qualifications and experience they require for a straight forward application but this was more for people like me who maybe only had a national cert or similar qual but a heap of experience that wouldn't qualify under the normal residency requirements. Just an option. I agree with your other sentiment. There are a heap of backyard butchers out here but if you get in with one of the bigger firms (although you do just become a number) you have the chance to pick and choose a little on what you do according to your skills and experience. There's already one local who's an "arborist" but refuses to climb trees. Go figure!

There's always companies looking for workers. It depends if you want to work for the one of the bigger companies, be just a statistic but have the option to move with that company around the country or just work for the smaller crews. Whichever, you should have no worries finding work.

Hi Guys, just for those of you who don't know (there seems to be various threads on moving here) and are keen on moving to NZ; Arborists are on the skills shortage list. This means that even if you only have a couple of years experience and relevant quals you could still apply to be resident here as long as you can get a job offer. Immigration usually requires a 3 year college cert with continuous education through that 3 years plus about 5 years experience but the work to residence catagory gives you a bit of breathing space on this. You'll just have to work for a company registered with immigration NZ for two years. Don't know if this helps anybody but thought it was worth a mention.

Disinfect your boots first and go through the something to declare channel at customs. You'll probably get sent straight through once theyve checked for seeds and stuff and it's usually much quicker than the normal customs.

I import nearly all my gear fron the US and UK. Even with the postage I can get cheaper deals plus most of the gear (chainsaw pants, boots etc) is of better quality. Most companies are happy to take you on with UK quals and some of the bigger firms have their own inhouse training whereby you can cross credit your UK quals with NZ quals through NZHITO. Some UK quals aren't recognized such as the older city and guilds stuff but it shouldn't stop you getting a job. Most firms will just want to make sure you can walk the walk as well as talk the talk. I'd bring over your harness, boots, trousers and similar if they're in good condition.

If I remember correctly it was a blue water eruption. Spewed out Ash and water from the crater lake. Some poor guy lost his leg in the DOC hut when a boulder came barreling through the door and landed on him.

Bobcat. Saves all the hard work and getting ripped to shreds on the grass.

That looks like the Raetihi - National Park Road Paul. Must have been doing work for PowerCo at a guess. Stunning part of the country unless you get stuck in a snow storm like I did.........on the side of Mt Ruapehu in a 4WD drive that couldn't pull the skin off a cold rice pud. Needless to say was slightly embarresed having to call the plod out to rescue me and the missus of the side of the mountain in a raging blizzard. Back to the Landrovers for me.

Looks worse than working in Snowdonia National Park but there's no trees up this high. I moved out from the UK in 98 and haven't looked back so if any of you are keen, get on the next plane out. Stunning country and plenty of work for those who know their jobs.

Sure did and so did the second tree just to the right of the first and slightly larger. Two fibrolite sheds underneath. Would have been great to land one of the gums right on top of one of the sheds but I suppose the landowner wouldn't have been best pleased. Is that Huka falls in the other photo?

A couple of photos of felling a large Gum overhanging a holiday batch and a few more of the Autumn colours in Turangi. Unfortunately the photos don't quite do them justice.

Try Trade Me ? New Zealand online auctions and classifieds. Browse, buy and sell online on trademe.co.nz under careers or nzarbor.org.nz. Alternatively you could try the larger companies like Treescape and Asplundh which always seem to be looking for climbers and have offices in most of the main centers and websites with career opportunities.

Don't know if it's the same thing but we had some issues over here with dodgy carbs on the ms200t. Had to replace mine completely but a mate has spent a small fortune trying to get his hedge trimmer running right and finally had to buy a new carb too.

And just because I can; This is my work area. Lake Taupo/ Central Plateau area. Fancy driving past this view most days anybody?

Don't know if I got this right as I'm new to all this uploading malarky but if I did this is one of a huge Liriodendron take down in a back garden full of Rhodies and Camellias. Nothing to be damaged. AT ALL.

Try Treescape, Treesafe, Treecare Services, Asplundh or Specimen. They're the biggest outfits and are generally always looking for climbers etc or have a search through the careers on Trade Me ? New Zealand online auctions and classifieds. Browse, buy and sell online on trademe.co.nz