A forestry worker killed by a tree he had felled himself had only limited experience and was working unsupervised, an inquest has been told.
Rotorua coroner Wallace Bain has begun inquests into the deaths of Reece Reid, 23, and Robert Thompson, 43.
Mr Reid died in the Tararua district after a tree fell on him, while Mr Thompson died near Thames after being hit by a hook when a rope snapped.
Mr Reid had felled trees on only six occasions before he died, the inquest was told.
However, his supervisor, Mike Thomas, said he believed Mr Reid was past needing close one-on-one supervision.
Company owner Murray Clunie said supervision should last six to eight weeks for a novice forestry worker.
Mr Clunie said he had given Mr Reid instructions not to start any felling if Mr Thomas was not with him.
