New Zealand Government Supporting Non-Pine Tree Sawmilling With Various Initiatives

New Zealand Forestry Minister Penni Henare has said that the government is supporting non-pine tree sawmilling and backing further creation in sawmills in Rotorua and Whangarei.

“The Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan identified the need to add more diversity to our production forests, wood products, and markets,” Henare said. “Local sawmills that specialize in using non-pine trees develop amazing, high-value, products and play a key role in our rural communities. If the Government partners with these smaller wood processors, we can help grow the industry, and over the long term reduce reliance on pine forests for some products.”

The Government is also providing loans to two companies through the Wood Processing Growth Fund to help grow domestic wood processing by up to 72,000 cubic meters.

“Astro Pine NZ Limited of Ngongotahā, Rotorua, makes high-quality products by planing and finger-jointing low-grade timber into mouldings such as architraves and window frames. The loan will enable them to expand output on their existing site by 15,000 cubic meters per year,” Henare said.

Regarding the second recipient, Henare added, “Rosvall Sawmill Limited of Whareora, Whangārei, makes timber products for residential and industrial construction. The loan will co-finance a state-of-the-art treatment facility, enabling them to scale-up processing by 42,000 cubic meters of logs per year, and will initially create 3 more full time jobs on site and facilitate considerable total growth for the period ahead.”