Robert Epapara (23) was killed by a falling tree on Ngāti Rongomai and Ngāti Pikiao lands.
This is the road that Robert Epapara travelled each day with his logging crew.
Understandably, his work mates are devastated by his death.
His manager Keith Travers says ”he was a great guy, not just a worker but a great mate too athletic skills and playing league he was a good guy, easy to get on with.”
He was well liked amongst his crew and today elders blessed the site where the fatal accident occured.
Earlier this year, two serious forestry incidents took place in the Bay of Plenty, one near Whakatane and the other on the Napier-Taupō highway.
Keith Travers' message to forestry workers is to keep each other safe.
Robert Epapara will be taken to Apumoana Marae, in Te Ngae Thursday morning.