In addition, nine major industry awards for the year were presented on the night. These were;

• Training Excellence Award - Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by Southwood Export) Award Winner; Norman Rewita, Griffin Logging
• Training Excellence Award - Forestry Trainee of the Year (harvesting) (Sponsored by Log Marketing) Award Winner; Wayde Lindsay, Griffin Logging
• Training Excellence Award - Forestry Trainee of the Year (silviculture) (Sponsored by Port Blakely): Award Winner; Eafou Tagiaia, Central Forestry Services
• Skilled Professionals Awards – Forestry Excellence Award (establishment, silviculture, fire, harvesting) (Sponsored by Rayonier/Matariki Forests): Award Winner; Terry Gorton, King One
• Skilled Professionals Awards – Wood Processing Excellence Award (Sponsored by UDC): Award Winner; Jordan Francis, Niagara Sawmilling Co
• Skilled Professionals Awards – Forest Products/Logistics/Transport/Port Award (Sponsored by Pan Pac Forest Products (Otago)): Award Winner; Murray Lumsden, Philip Wareing
• Industry Excellence Awards – Forestry Environmental Management Excellence Award (Sponsored by Ernslaw One); Andrew Murray, Murray Logging
• Industry Excellence Awards - Training Company/Contractor of the Year (Sponsored by City Forests): Award Winner; Mike Hurring Logging
• Industry Excellence Awards - Forest Products Health & Safety Award (Sponsored by Wenita Forest Products): Award Winner; Tim Gaul, C3 Ltd

Congratulations go to all the winners, the nominees, their employers and families. This year’s awards programme with strong support from the wider industry, supporting organisations and major equipment and product suppliers has again been another important milestone for the forestry industry in the lower South Island. Like other Regional Wood Council awards evenings, it’s firmly established as the major fixture each year on the local forestry calendar.