New Zealand – a commercial advantage

New Zealand's wood processing industry successfully meets increasing global consumer demand for smart, safe and environmentally sustainable wood products.

Our building products and solid wood components are internationally recognised for their looks, high performance and versatility.

New Zealand's fast-growing radiata pine plantation forests are environmentally sustainable and scientifically managed. They supply a processing industry noted for its:

• extensive use of research and development
• world-leading role in genetics, wood science and the manufacture and use of composite materials
• highly-skilled workforce

The New Zealand wood processing industry has strong investment connections with its main markets, and a proven track-record of delivering commercial success to its partners.

Delivering success to investors

Zenia House is one of many international companies benefiting from a partnership with New Zealand.

The Danish furniture maker is leveraging off New Zealand’s environmental credentials by choosing Radiata pine for a new furniture range. Excellent environmental practices mean a large proportion of our wood has internationally recognised environmental certification, enhancing its appeal with discerning consumers.

International forestry giant Weyerhaeuser appreciates the abundance of our wood stock and the security of future supply. Our forests grow at a faster rate than they are being harvested, meaning by 2010 New Zealand will have an additional 9 million m 3 of wood available for processing.

Japan’s Sumitomo Forestry Company values the New Zealand wood industry’s expertise in wood science and processing. Exports from Sumitomo’s New Zealand operation include medium density fibreboard – a versatile and environmentally-friendly product pioneered by New Zealand. Sumitomo exports most of its production to Japan, benefiting from New Zealand’s excellent shipping links and close proximity to key markets.

Thunderbird Forest Products in the United States of America profits from the strong consumer appeal of New Zealand radiata pine. Radiata has excellent turning, finishing and laminating properties, and achieves outstanding stain and paint finishes.

Intensive research and development drives silvicultural practices which produce long wide lengths of clear (knot-free) wood. The proportion of clear wood output continues to increase sharply.

United States-based International Paper leverages off our reputation for producing safe, high-performance building products.

Precision sawing and drying practices, developed through years of research and development, ensure high standards of stability and dimensional integrity. The performance of our building products is also enhanced by innovative technologies, such as wood hardening.

Japan’s Oji Paper values the quality and versatility of our radiata pine wood pulp, which produces packaging material and paper with good printing attributes. Its Pan Pac mill in New Zealand produces pulp used in Oji’s plants to make paper products in the Japanese market. The company extracts maximum value from logs by producing industrial lumber and components from parts not used for pulp.

Institutional investors such as the United States' GMO RR/Harvard Management, Global Forest Partners and Hancock Resources appreciate New Zealand’s stable business and political environment. This makes New Zealand an excellent location for long-term investments such as forestry.

Share the success

Contact Investment New Zealand, the investment promotion agency of the New Zealand Government, to find out how your business can benefit from involvement in New Zealand wood products.

Investment New Zealand understands your industry and has extensive networks which enable us to identify and facilitate investment opportunities to meet your specific needs.

Reports & Publications

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