John Brunsden

Forestry Bulldozer Operator

You will find John Brunsden enjoying an active retirement in the forests of Tasman Bay in the seat of Taylors’ newest bulldozer – the John Deere 850L.

John Brunsden came to work for Taylors Contracting in 2007 while on holiday in Nelson with his wife Carol in their newly acquired “retirement motorhome”. Having just sold his own North Island contracting business BRN Contracting after 47 years, John’s intention was just to help out on some forestry skid sites for a month before Christmas on his favourite machine – the bulldozer. Fifteen years later and John is still moving earth for Taylors.

Asked what he likes about working for Taylors John says that Taylors is a great employer that offers good support, good gear, and is one of the few companies he is aware of that offer time-and-a-half after 40 hours and carry out an annual wage review.

Although at times it is a little challenging being an employee after having been an owner/operator himself, John enjoys conversations with the Taylor brothers about what kind of gear they should invest in and is always pleased when he sees his ideas turning up on the back of a transporter!

John’s most memorable and enjoyable job for Taylors was at D’Urville Island. While constructing a road on private land on the island the team got to enjoy plenty of blue cod caught straight off the beach. Carol came down for the duration of the job to cook for John and the small crew.

John reckons the only thing that will make him give up the bulldozer is a boat!