RMF named Supreme winner in Good Employer Awards

The Awards, celebrate the great places to work within the food and fibres sector.

The Supreme award recognises employers who go above and beyond to provide great employment conditions, demonstrate a commitment to diversity, have a highly effective employee development programme and an excellent health and safety record.

Brendan Slui, managing director of Rayonier Matariki Forests said he was thrilled to receive such a prestigious accolade for the company’s good employer practices.

“We have worked hard to be a successful company and provide a workplace where our people are valued, respected, and contributing at all levels. The caliber and passion of our people are what makes us a great company and one which people want to be a part of,” says Slui.

Rayonier Matariki Forests has put its people at the forefront of its operations and developed outstanding employment and health and safety practices.

Some of the initiatives that caught the judges’ eyes included embracing diversity and the myriad of experiences, skills, ideas and perspectives that comes with this, comprehensive and industry leading training and mentoring programs, and the adoption of flexible leave and working arrangements.

Having put kaitiakitanga at the very heart of the business Rayonier Matariki Forests is further strengthening its connection to Maori culture through ongoing cultural workshops and empowering Maori stakeholders to bring hapu forestry ownership to life.

Safety is a way of life at Rayonier Matariki Forests. The company’s health and safety philosophy is underpinned by robust systems and a culture of engagement and collaboration. Attention is focused on activities that make a difference such as safety culture assessments, leadership coaching, mechanisation and automation, Safetree Certification and talking a more holistic approach to our health and wellbeing programs including a focus on mental wellbeing and health monitoring.

As well as looking after its own people, Rayonier Matariki Forests’ takes a leadership role in a number of industry organisations to lend its expertise in support of making the forestry industry a great place to work.

“We have a strong commitment to making forestry a desirable industry which attracts highly talented people – not just in our own operations but across all parts of the sector.

“It was wonderful to see two other companies from the industry also win their respective categories. This highlights the good employer practices being demonstrated and showcases the forest sector as a great primary industry to work in”.