Container Devanning Industry News | Oak Tree Devanning NZ

Work within reach: container unloading jobs with Oak Tree Devanning

Since July, four men referred by The Salvation Army have taken on close to forty container devanning jobs with Oak Tree. Two take nearly every shift; the other two are building up at their own pace. Here’s how the partnership started and what it’s meant for them so far.

Cold storage and container devanning: where the food supply chain holds or fails

Cold storage keeps the food supply moving, and the unload is where it’s most likely to break down. Our crews devan inside cold stores in Christchurch, Auckland and Brisbane every day. Here’s what we’ve learned about why the unload matters and how to get it right.

Devanner Profile: Glen

We caught up with one of our awesome crew members to hear about how he gets the job done.

The Social Procurement Angle

Oak Tree Devanning provides professional container unloading across Christchurch, Auckland, and Australia. It is also a social enterprise. Here is what that means in practice.

The Practical Audit

Three practical questions that tell you whether your container unloading operation is running efficiently — or quietly leaking money.

The Reliability Crisis

Looking for reliable container unloading in Christchurch? Here's why casual crews keep letting businesses down — and what a retention-based model looks like.

The Hourly Rate Trap

Hourly rates seem logical. But after thousands of container unloads, here's why the fixed-rate model consistently delivers better results — and lower total costs

What is Container Devanning?

Container devanning — also called container unloading — is the process of removing goods from a shipping container by hand. Here's how it works, who does it, and what it costs in New Zealand.

Logan's story

Logan* already knew Oak Tree before he needed them. When things went sideways, that connection proved to be the opening he needed.

Handballing, stripping, lumping, and humping

Believe it or not, these terms are used daily across warehouses, ports, and container yards around the world.

Aaron Ball, founder of Devart web development and Navigate Initiative supporter — Christchurch tech company backing Oak Tree Devanning and Pathway Charitable Group.

NI Supporter Profile: Devart

Devart's founder shares why supporting the Navigate Initiative aligns with his team's core values.

Devanner Profile: Chevy

Three-year Oak Tree crew member Chevy shares his experience as a container devanner, from his thoughts on the ProDevan app to his tips for newcomers.

Journalist Paddy Gower interviewing an Oak Tree Devanning crew member at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch — social enterprise labour hire team installing 25,000 stadium seats.

Paddy Gower interviews Oak Tree

Paddy Gower talks to Oak Tree about our part in Christchurch's new One NZ Stadium!

Oak Tree Devanning crew member interviewed at Te Kaha One New Zealand Stadium — labour hire team who installed 25,000 seats as part of the Christchurch stadium project.

Christchurch's new One NZ Stadium opens this week, and we're quietly proud of the role our crew played in getting it there.

Oak Tree's labour hire team spent 10 months helping install 25,000 stadium seats in Christchurch — and the real story is the crew of people who got a fair go and delivered.

Customer testimonial for Oak Tree Devanning from Simply Food Solutions — praising container unloading service and online booking through ProDevan.

Customer Testimonial: Simply Food Solutions

Friendly team. Easy booking. Smoother operations. This is what we show up for every day. Thank you, Simply Food Solutions Imports!

Customer testimonial for Oak Tree Devanning — client recommending container unloading and devanning services in New Zealand.

Customer Testimonial: Bunzl

Grateful for partners who notice the difference. Thank you, BUNZL!

Oak Tree Devanning Australia team member Andy checking boxes at a container unloading site on the Gold Coast — Oak Tree's first Site Liaison for Brisbane and Gold Coast operations.

A new city. A new role. A natural fit.

Andy brings 15 years of retail management experience to an entirely new chapter of work.

Devanner Profile: Cody

Devanner Profile: Cody, who has been on the team for a year and a half now. We caught up with him to hear about how he gets the job done!

Building on solid foundations

Earlier in the year, we made the decision to expand Oak Tree into Brisbane Australia. Leading the project is Grant Thomson, who has had the task of establishing Oak Tree in the Brisbane container services industry.

NZ Logistics Social Enterprise of the Year

Oak Tree Devanning Wins Logistics Social Enterprise of the Year 2025! We're honoured to be recognised as Logistics Social Enterprise of the Year...

Devanner Profile: Josh

Highlighting one of our awesome crew members: Josh - we caught up with him to learn more about how he gets the job done!

Oak Tree Devanning Brisbane team at a North Brisbane Employer Day careers event — connecting with job seekers for container unloading and devanning roles in Australia.

Growing our crew in Brisbane

Grant connects with the Brisbane community at employer day

ProDevan

Oak Tree forges ahead, assisted by its latest development: a ground-breaking logistics app.

Oak Tree Devanning National Operations Manager Jamie speaking with Navigate Initiative participants at Christchurch Men's Prison about employment and container unloading work opportunities.

Fresh starts through work

Jamie recently visited Christchurch Men's Prison to talk about employment

Oak Tree Devanning Brisbane crew outside Tradewise Global Logistics — first container unloading job completed for new Australian client.

First container for Tradewise in Brisbane complete!

First container completed for our new client Tradewise Global Logistics!

Te Kaha One New Zealand Stadium under construction in Christchurch — Oak Tree Devanning crew installing permanent seating alongside Alloyfold.

Major Milestone at Te Kaha

A highlight of the Te Kaha project we're working on... featured in this Christchurch City Council video update

Oak Tree Devanning crew unloading boxes from a shipping container in Christchurch — container unloading team training Australia Business Development Manager Grant

Our Australian Business Development Manager in town

Our new Australian Business Development Manager, Grant, recently spent time learning the ropes with our Christchurch team - Nick, Mike and Ken.

Map highlighting Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney — Oak Tree Devanning launches container unloading and devanning services across Australia

Oak Tree Australia

We're excited to announce that Oak Tree is launching in Brisbane, Australia! Heading up this expansion is Grant, our new Business Development Manager.

Cricket bowler in whites preparing to bowl — Oak Tree Devanning staff story featuring Matt, who balances container unloading work with law studies and a promising cricket career.

Oak Tree’s rising cricket talent.

Oak Tree's Matt balances devanning work, law studies, and a promising cricket career that recently saw him bowling against Black Caps players.

Oak Tree Devanning branded high-visibility jacket — flexible container unloading work supporting students and people overcoming barriers to employment in Christchurch.

Yes to flexible work.

University student, Matt, shares how Oak Tree's flexible work environment and focus on personal responsibility has created the perfect employment opportunity while studying.

Vehicle light trails at night — Oak Tree Devanning ProDevan performance reward system helping container unloading crews build sustainable careers.

Branching out with Bonuses

At Oak Tree Devanning, we're proving that innovative business practices and social impact go hand in hand. Our recently implemented performance reward system is transforming workplace engagement while delivering strong business results.

Black Caps cricket team on the field — Oak Tree Devanning staff highlight featuring Matt from the Christchurch container unloading crew, selected as a pre-game net bowler for the NZ vs England Test.

Staff Highlight: Matt

We're proud to share that Matt from our Christchurch crew was selected as a pre-game Net Bowler for the recent NZ vs England Test match! Such a cool opportunity that helped the Black Caps prepare for the England test...

Tongan rugby players in action — Oak Tree Devanning staff highlight featuring Hapakuki, who balanced container unloading work with international rugby.

Staff Highlight - Hapakuki

Highlighting Hapakuki on one of his latest achievements!

Devanner Profile: Corrie

Big shoutout to one of our fantastic team members, Corrie!

Devanner Profile: David

Shoutout to one or our awesome team members David!

Frank's* Story

Hopelessness, drugs, crime, prison and redemption. Frank* has been through it all in a short time. Now thriving as part of the growing Oak Tree Devanning team in Auckland, he’s where he wants to be as he focuses on the future rather than dwelling on the past.

Oak Tree Devanning job application tips graphic — advice for job seekers looking for container unloading and warehouse work in Christchurch and Auckland.

4 tips for job applications

Recently, our Operations Manager Jamie spoke at a job seekers forum about Oak Tree and Employment. Here are his key tips to keep in mind when applying for a job:

Devanner Profile: Matt

Highlighting Matt, one of our awesome team members!

Devanner Profile: Nick

Featuring one of our awesome team members Nick!

Deane Rose, Oak Tree Devanning Operations Coordinator, on site at a container unloading facility in Christchurch.

Introducing Deane Rose!

Introducing our Operations Coordinator Deane Rose! Deane joined us in 2022 and brought with him a range of experience, including 3 years as an Assistant Winemaker in Waipara Winery followed by 6 years as the operations manager for an Australian Winery.

Jamie Dale, Oak Tree Devanning Operations Manager, at a container devanning facility in Christchurch.

Introducing Jamie Dale!

Introducing Jamie Dale, our Operations Manager here at Oak Tree! Since joining us in 2020, Jamie has used his extensive experience in operations and management to make a significant impact on Oak Tree.

Oak Tree Devanning team members in high-visibility gear — professional container devanning services across Christchurch and Auckland since 2002

Our Story

If you’re new here, you might not know much about us. This is our story, starting way back in 2002!

A group of around ten people pose together outside a new red brick home on Pages Road, gathered for the blessing of Pathway's latest housing development.

Blessing another fresh start.

We are truly blessed to have some wonderful tenants living in homes provided by Pathway Affordable Housing, a group that’s about to grow! After months of work, PAH's most recent housing development on Pages Rd has been completed. Ahead of the moving trucks rolling in, a special service to bless each of the three, two-bedroom homes took place.

The humble bicycle.

Out of necessity or by choice, the two-wheeled mode of transport is as prevalent on our roads as it's ever been.

Two Oak Tree Devanning workers in high-visibility vests unloading boxes inside a shipping container.

Oak Tree to the city of Sails!

At Oak Tree Devanning we’re buzzing about the City of Sails for a different reason – our long-awaited return!

Devanning in style!

Investing in our people is a great way of showing our appreciation for what they do every day. As a social enterprise Oak Tree Devanning knows that better than most, so recently invested in some new uniforms for its hard-working staff.

Pathway reintegration manager Anaru Baynes poses with another guest at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards dinner in Auckland.

Pathway Proud.

Pathway Charitable Group was nominated as a finalist for Community of the Year at the 2023 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.

Recruiting with billboards.

Oak Tree Devanning is shaking things up with their latest recruitment drive. Rather than the usual online job postings, the company has taken a more innovative approach.

Mike stands with arms folded outside a container devanning facility, wearing a yellow polo shirt.

From containers to coffee.

Whether it’s unloading containers or loading up diner’s plates, Mike knows how to keep his customers happy. Mike joined Oak Tree Devanning in April last year, doing a few mornings a week. He was keen to work as part of a team in different environments – but Mike had a clear goal in mind.

Thinking outside the shipping container!

We're supporting people to make a fresh start through clever and imaginative ways - from inside a shipping container!

Opportunities abound.

For various reasons, James was not in a position to work full time, but he was a hard worker who was ready and willing to get back into the workforce and it was Oak Tree that supported him to get there.

Life Changing Employment

Established in 2002, Oak Tree not only funds the life changing work of the wider Pathway Group, but it also provides a casual labour pool that supports local businesses.