- Harvesting Automation & Robotics
Harvesting, automation and robotics research is the realm of the FGR’s ‘Te Mahi Ngahere i te Ao Hurihuri – Forestry Work in the Modern Age’ Primary Growth Partnership between government and the forest industry.
The programme goals are to redesign harvesting, log manufacturing and logistics processes. Our aims are to create value, improve profitability, and enhance sustainability by alleviating current labour shortages, and reducing operational harvesting and logistics costs. We also aim to improve the economic viability of small forests and woodlots, and create new product opportunities for domestic sale and export.
The programme is led by the Forest Value Chain Consortium, a partnership of forest management companies, harvesting and logistics contractors, and New Zealand-based forestry machinery manufacturers and technology partners, all of whom want to invest in and drive the design and manufacture of equipment and technology in the programme.
Forest Growers Research Ltd (FGR) manages the programme on behalf of the industry.
Programme manager: Keith Raymond
- Commercial partners comprise nine forest companies, ten manufacturing partners, and Forest Growers Research
- Programme duration – 2019-2027 (originally a seven-year programme but following a mid-term review has now been extended to nine years) programme
- Total funding over nine years: $27.144 million
- MPI total funding: $11.282 million
- Industry total funding: $15.862 million, sourced from the Forest Growers Levy Trust and commercial partners.
Explore Harvesting Automation & Robotics workstreams:
Harvesting Automation and Robotics News
Announcing the 2026Â FGRÂ Harvesting Micro Innovation Challenge Winner
Across the forestry sector, crews are managing environmental compliance, field observations, mapping, and operational data in remote locations – often using tools that were never
FGR at Fieldays – Showcasing Innovation in Forestry
Forest Growers Research (FGR), NZFOA and the Forest Growers Levy Trust (FGLT) participated in this year’s Fieldays Forestry Hub, joining more than 40 forestry and
Latest technical reports released by FGR Harvesting & Logistics programme
The Forest Growers Research (FGR) Harvesting and Logistics programme, led by Keith Raymond, has released a suite of technical reports showcasing practical research and operational
Related searchable documents and reports
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