Native Forest Champions Honoured at Fieldays 2026
Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today congratulated the winners of the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards at Fieldays.
In May 2023, 59-year-old Stevens died when his fully loaded logging truck and trailer rolled while negotiating a difficult bend on a private forestry road.
The road had no warning signs, road markers or berms, and its sharp corner was outside recommended specifications for the heavy vehicle he was driving.
Unsafe Forestry Road Conditions Contributed to Crash
The Thames District Court found the corner's turning diameter was 7.5 metres less than the minimum standard for the truck configuration.
Wet surfaces, mud-caked tyres, darkness, and a steep downhill approach made the bend even more dangerous.
Companies Sentenced for Safety Failures
The forest owner, Specialty Timbers (1987) Limited, and the transport contractor, Trevor Masters Limited, have been sentenced for their work health and safety failures.
Judge Tompkins found each party assumed someone else was ensuring the road was safe, so no one took responsibility.
Widow's Emotional Statement
"Greg's death was preventable, and if those companies had done what they should have done, my Greg would still be with me today," Caroline Stevens told the court in a victim impact statement.
She described the ongoing emotional toll on her family and called for stronger workplace safety protections.
"It is my hope that Greg's death will serve as a reminder to prioritise safety in the workplace, so no other family has to endure this trauma," she says.
"My plea is simple: let our loved ones come home from work safely."
WorkSafe Issues Strong Statement
Safe transporting of logs to the forest boundary is part of WorkSafe New Zealand's recently released approved code of practice for forestry and harvesting operations.
"No log load is worth a life," says WorkSafe northern regional manager, Brad Duggan.
"Forestry operators must understand that managing forestry roads isn't optional. If you're moving heavy vehicles through difficult terrain, you need proper risk assessment, proper consultation, and proper controls," he says.
"If you're not sure your roads are up to standard, stop and check before the next truck goes out."
