New Zealand’s first factory turning out finished houses has opened in Wellington, aiming to produce up to 500 places annually. Source: The Nortern Star Sean Murrie, Matrix Homes chief executive and director said Finance Minister Bill English opened the 8000 square metre Trentham

The family of a Rotorua man killed in a forestry accident found out about his death by text message, an inquest has been told. Source: Radio New Zealand Robert Epapara, 23, died after he was crushed by a tree in the Waione Forest, near Rotorua, in March 2013. His stepfather, Wiremu Ed

The Timber Development Association (TDA) has welcomed a new staff member, Fred Moshiri, a structural engineer with a background in timber structural design in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Source: Timberbiz “TDA’s workload has grown rapidly recently as massive timbers

Garrie James, managing director, Inglewood Cypress Sawmill, has been appointed to Timber Queensland Board of Directors to represent Queensland’s cypress sector. Source: Timberbiz Timber Queensland’s chair Sean Gribble said he welcomed the appointment and the broad expertise Garrie wou

The 2015 Australian Timber Design Awards will be open for entries on 9 February. The awards are a national competition to promote and encourage outstanding timber design in the built environment professions. Source: Timberbiz Now in their 16th year, the awards are distinguished by a h

  The Reserve Bank Board voted to lower the Official Cash Rate for the first time since August 2013. Source: Timberbix “With Australia’s inflation pulse at its slowest in several years but domestic demand remaining weak, the RBA Board have cut rates to provide an opportunity for

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) building approvals remained at an elevated, albeit slightly lower level in December 2014, after reaching their highest-ever monthly level during November. Source: Timberbiz Figures released this week by the Housing Industry Association show that t

  The Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) has appointed a new general manager, Stacey Gardiner who will start with the organisation on 10 March 2015. Source: Timberbiz She will hit the ground running in a series of meetings with members across Australia. Ms Gardiner’

  The directors of Australian Forestry Standard Ltd (AFS) are deeply saddened by the unexpected death of CEO and National Secretary Richard Stanton. Sources: Timberbiz, The Canberra Times Mr Stanton died after falling from his pushbike last week in Canberra. He will be remembered