Australasia's home for timber news and information

Devastating damage from 1M tonnes of forest debris

An estimated one million tonnes of forest debris was swept onto properties and roads during two flood events in New Zealand but the question of who will pay for the clean up and compensation remains up in the air. Source: Radio New Zealand The Gisborne District Council said an investi
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From sawdust to graphite in hours 

Blenheim, New Zealand company CarbonScape has patented an innovative method for turning waste sawdust, such as from common radiata pine, into valuable graphite. Sources: Timberbiz, The Marlborough Express Graphite is used in many applications such as lithium-ion batteries and is consi
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NZ log prices at 25 year high

New Zealand structural log prices rose to the highest level for 25 years as local mills compete with the export market to secure supply for the domestic construction market amid strong demand from China. Source: Scoop Media The average price for structural S1 logs increased to NZ$135
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Kiwibuild calls on prefab industry

The New Zealand government will be inviting companies to set up or expand offsite manufacturing factories to make KiwiBuild homes, indicating it may rely on prefabricated manufacturing to build its promised 100,000 affordable homes. Source: NZ Adviser Housing and Urban Development Min
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Kauri in the High Court

The Northland Environmental Protection Society has argued in the New Zealand High Court and the Court of Appeal that it is unlawful to send swamp kauri overseas in the form of table tops and slabs. Source: Radio New Zealand Those courts have rejected the society’s arguments, say
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NZ forest industry progresses with Overseas Investment Act amendments

Forest Owners say the government’s announcement that the Overseas Investment Act would be amended to cut out red tape is a very positive signal to potential investors. Source: Timberbiz FOA President Peter Weir says though he still can’t see the point of including cutting rights, inst
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Safety conference highlights culture and technology changes

A major national conference series on forest safety practices is set to showcase how forestry leaders have brought about practical benefits to logging and forestry workplaces through changes in culture and technology. Source: Timberbiz Registrations are now open for the 4th FIEA Fores
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No high-tech tools to help NZ forest farmers

Recent comments by officials and “experts” in New Zealand on planting one billion trees, the plight of hill country forestry and woody debris flows, have not touched on the total lack of decision support tools so that farmers and other local forest investors can make the right decisio
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Robots

The use of robots or autonomous machines will definitely pay a big role in forest operations in the future, driven by the need for safety and higher productivity, according to a New Zealand researcher. Source: Philip Hopkins for Timberbiz Professor Rien Visser, from the School of Fore
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Forest Enterprises discusses forestry priorities with Government

New Zealand’s Associate Minister of Forestry, the Honourable Meka Whaitiri met with Forest Enterprises at their Masterton office during her visit to the Wairarapa on 7 June to discuss forestry priorities. Source: Timberbiz The Minister’s Office approached the New Zealand- owned forest
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