October 28, 2022
Tairawhiti forest death a blow to community
A Gisborne-based whānau, hapū and iwi trust is demanding answers over the latest forestry death in the region.
42 year old Jason Rawiri died earlier this month after he was hit by a falling tree.
Tangata Humāria Charitable Trust spokesperson Candice Gate says he’s the 13th forestry worker to die in Tairawhiti in 12 years – and since Maori make up most of the workforce, it’s no surprise local communities are suffering the most.
“Those ripples go through our community and touch all of us. We are up to our 13th in Te Tairawhiti and that is 13 too many. Maori are 55 percent more likely to be injured or killed at work and that disparity is increasing as the years go on,” she says.
She’s appalled WorkSafe asked police to assess the accident site rather than send its own investigator.