Two Te Awamutu based women, Sarah Davis and Kim Godfrey, are breaking new ground in the forestry industry with their support group, Women in Forestry.

Kim is experienced in marketing and event management, and Sarah grew up in a logging contractor family, and now manages her family’s machine leasing business.

“I have seen first-hand the struggles faced by many of these women with partners working as contractors.

“Many of them are in the office side of the business, juggling children, staff, accounts, expensive machinery and the day to day tasks, often alone if their partners are away logging in the bush.”

The group’s first event in 2017 was well received, and their May 2021 conference had around 30 attendees.

“It doesn’t sound like many, but those 30 women represent around 1000 staff employed in New Zealand’s logging industry, so it is important they are confident, informed and supported in their roles,” says Kim.

Sarah and Kim often hear the members describing themselves as ‘just the wife’ or ‘just doing the admin’.

“This is so not the case; these women are equal business partners and face the same risk and stress as their contractor partners.