Arboriculture students scale new heights at champs

Our Arboriculture students took to the treetops recently, competing against some of the country’s top arborists in the NZ Arb Husqvarna South Island Regional Tree Climbing Competition.

The event was held at the Dunedin Botanic Garden as the city hosted the South Island champs for the first time in more than 30 years.

Otago Polytechnic Arboriculture Senior Lecturer Ben Fentiman helped coordinate the event, on behalf of the New Zealand Arboricultural Association.

He was proud to have a strong group of first year students (studying towards the NZ Certificate in Horticulture (Arboriculture)) competing over the two days.

“This was a great way to put their skills to the test against some of the country’s foremost arborists,” he says.

“And for all of our students, it was an opportunity to make industry connections with potential employers and future colleagues, and for them to see a range of skills and equipment in action," says Ben.

Ākonga who weren’t competing stayed busy as volunteers, assisting with pruning, set-up work, timekeeping, and scoring.

“They were great representatives of Otago Polytechnic and demonstrated the quality of training and nurturing that OP has to offer,” says Ben.

Competitors scaled heights of up to 20 metres in events that demanded exceptional fitness, precision, problem-solving and safe work practices around trees.

OP student Josh Parkinson (Te Anau) placed 11th overall in the full climbing competition against 36 male competitors - an impressive result in his first year of climbing.

Josh (pictured here with Senior Lecturer Ben Fentiman) received a $250 TreeHub equipment voucher for being the top-placing OP competitor. The award was donated by founding Arboriculture lecturer Jerry Lynch as a way of helping inspire and encourage our students to get involved.

Eight students also entered in the New Arborist of the Year competition, which is open to people in their first three years in the industry.

Josh came first in this competition and will head to the national finals in Rotorua at the end of October, alongside OP’s wildcard entry Theo Stebbings, who claimed 3rd place in the Speed Climb event.

“It’s a fantastic learning experience and an excellent networking opportunity, giving them the chance to rub shoulders with some of the country’s best climbers, as well as company owners and managers,” says Ben.

We wish Josh and Theo the very best of luck at the nationals.

(* Photos courtesty of the New Zealand Arboricultural Association)