Te Kawa a Tāne alliance to protect forestry workers

Pictured at the signing of Te Kawa a Tāne alliance yesterday were, from left, WorkSafe CEO Phil Parkes, forestry kaimahi Tene Hicks and Henare Poi, Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou chair Selwyn Parata, Eastland Wood Council CEO Phillip Hope and Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa representative Morehu Pewhairangi. Pictures by Liam Clayton

Iwi have joined with the forestry industry and government agencies to launch a new collective to improve forestry culture, hauora and health and safety for kaimahi in Te Tairāwhiti.

The Forestry Community Health and Safety Alliance, known as Te Kawa a Tāne, was launched yesterday at Te Poho o Rawiri marae.

The alliance is underpinned by te ao Māori principles and values and was created following five regional leadership wānanga. These hui involved Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui-a-Kiwa (TROTAK) and Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou.

“We know that Māori forestry workers in Te Tairāwhiti are seriously injured and killed at work at a disproportionate rate,” says WorkSafe’s chief executive Phil Parkes.

“This alliance presents a real opportunity for the community to work together to improve health and safety outcomes.

“We all have a lot of work to do in Aotearoa to better protect our forestry kaimahi from harm.”

The kawa (vision) of the alliance is that all people in the forestry industry are kept safe and live longer, that whānau prosper, the natural environment thrives, and the economy is stable.

“After being part of the Te Kawa a Tāne rōpū for the past six months and seeing first-hand the sincerity and commitment shown by all involved, I have no doubts that we are on the verge of something big,” says Tene Hicks, one of the forestry kaimahi leaders involved.

The alliance is co-chaired by Ronald Nepe of TROTAK and Philip Hope of the Eastland Wood Council.

“The most important asset in forestry is our kaimahi,” says Mr Hope.

“Improving the safety culture for this high-risk industry requires leadership with a regional collective approach.

“Eastland Wood Council, in conjunction with its members and stakeholders, is totally committed to supporting Te Kawa a Tāne, which employs an evidence-based approach that uplifts the mana of our kaimahi.”

An accord has been created by the alliance which sets out commitments for those who sign it, to give effect to making a measurable difference in forestry to improve the culture and wellbeing within the forestry industry.

The alliance contributes to WorkSafe’s Maruiti 2027 strategy, which focuses on reducing fatalities, serious harm and health impacts on Māori in the workplace.