Larch
Headlines
Article archive »
- Import substitution - Report
January, 2024
In order to supplement New Zealand’s native timber supply, exotic species were introduced throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries, to support both domestic structural and specialty purpose applications. Despite attempts to supply…
- Mac Black Whanganui field day, April 2023
April, 2023
The weather might not have been ideal, but the enthusiasm was palpable as more than 50 people gathered at Richard Thompson and Laurel Stowell’s Papaiti forest, Whanganui. Particularly impressive was…
- Natural durability, accelerated framing tests and relative durability
August, 2021
The New Zealand Building Code offers three pathways for proving durability performance of materials under section B2/VM1 Durability Evaluation. These are History of Use, Similar Materials Tests and Laboratory Tests. Laboratory Tests can…
- Proposed Legislation to implement a National Wood Legality Assurance System
August, 2020
In July 2020 the Ministry for Primary Industries released a proposal to implement a National Wood Legality Assurance system. Farm Forestry Timbers welcome this proposal and fully support strengthening of New…
- Building System Legislative Reform Programme, public consultation
April, 2019
The Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE) administer the building code and are proposing major changes to NZ's building laws to: increase the quality of information about building products;…
- Member profile - MacDirect
May, 2018
For the last 25 years I have been developing the local market for Lusitanica and Macrocarpa timber. Our sawmill sources trees from predominantly plantations. Coming from Dairying then owning a…
- Determinations, specialty timbers and the building code
July, 2017
What do you know about "Determinations"? Well... Determinations are best described as judgements made by MBIE where disputes arise between the Building Consent Authority (BCA) and those undertaking building work. BCA's must…
- Harvesting & Milling Indigenous Timber on Private Land
June, 2017
Owners of land with indigenous forests have several options if they wish to harvest and mill indigenous timber. The milling of native timber is regulated by the Forests Act which…
- Optimised Engineered Lumber (OEL), timber framing for the future?
February, 2017
The Specialty Wood Products Partnership is a seven year partnership between central government and the forest industry. It aims to investigate the development of new wood products from locally grown…
- Report on Farm-totara sapwood and resistance to common household borer
January, 2017
Examples of Totara Sapwood Resisting Attack by the Common Household Wood Borer (Anobium punctatum) A Report Prepared by Paul Quinlan for Tane’s Tree Trust, January 2017 Download the report here >>
- Tawa timber An updated perspective on opportunities and issues
November, 2016
Rob Allen and Brenda Tahi From Indigena, November 2016 In his 1994 book titled New Zealand Timbers Norm Clifton concluded that the ‘writing is on the wall’ for tawa timber.…
- Totara and the Building code
June, 2016
Potential markets for farm-totara timber would be significantly improved by complying with New Zealand’s performance-based Building Code. A range of products and applications hold the promise of market demand but…
- Sustainable management or tropical rainforest destruction?
August, 2015
A New Zealand delegation made up of members of the NZ Imported Tropical Timber Group, representing buyers of tropical rainforest timber, recently visited the Solomon Islands to check out supplies…
- Timber Imports mean export of environmental impacts
May, 2015
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 Roger May This article highlights trends in timber and timber product imports. It also addresses the implications for farmers and foresters growing special-purpose timber species and…
- Structural properties of specialty timbers and the Building Code
March, 2015
Farm Forestry Timbers media release, March 2015. Farm Forestry Timbers Society and NZFFA with support from AGMARDT have tested the characteristic stresses of five specialty timber species to meet the…
- Fire Ratings and timber
November, 2014
Amendments to the fire protection provisions of the New Zealand Building Code has received publicity around the effects these changes will have in reducing opportunities to use timber in buildings.…
- Prosperity from Forestry and Wood Products
November, 2013
Wood council of NZ Inc. Media Release, November 2013. The forest and wood products industry has the ability to deliver renewable and resilient growth. There are a number of areas…
- Vital investment tool developed for wood processors
June, 2013
WOOD COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND Media release: WoodScape Study, 4 June 2013. A major study report released by the Wood Council highlights the need for by-products from established industries like…
- Australian Government Illegal Logging Prohibition Act
November, 2012
Illegal logging has significant environmental, economic and social costs. Legislation designed to promote the trade in legally logged timber and timber products is now law in Australia. If you are…
- INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE FARM FORESTRY TIMBERS SOCIETY
November, 2012
Farm Forestry Timbers held their inaugural meeting on 17th November 2012. It was agreed to constitute the Society by resolution. The Rules of the Farm Forestry Timbers Society can be…