Developing the forestry and wood processing sector
Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service is working to boost wood processing, support greater value-add and remove barriers to trade to lift productivity and economic growth to:
- create more high-paying jobs: processing more wood onshore and developing high-value products will fuel job growth, particularly in regional communities.
- build resilience: a diversified forest base and innovative wood processing will strengthen the sector against economic fluctuations and climate challenges.
- lift productivity: supporting the development of bio-based products, aligning with our commitments to a greener future.
Pillars for success
- Collaboration and skills: building a strong foundation requires collaboration across the sector, alongside skilled professionals and supportive regulations.
- Forest growth and supply: build and maintain confidence in forestry, enhancing our plantations to ensure a sustainable flow of wood for future generations.
- Modernised processing: by processing more wood locally, we can create high-value products for use domestically and for export, generating jobs and economic benefits in our regions.
- High-value markets: diversifying our export markets and product mix will bolster the sector's resilience, strengthen existing trading relationships, and capitalise on emerging opportunities.
Forestry and wood processing research reports
- Options to support the scale-up of innovation in bioprocessing [PDF, 5 MB]
Sets out the options to support the commercialisation of bio-based products in New Zealand. - Bio-innovation pilot centre: Stocktake of current capabilities to support the commercialisation of bio-based products in Aotearoa New Zealand and other observations from the hackathon [PDF, 15 MB]
Considers the potential for a bio-innovation pilot centre in New Zealand. It includes a review of the country’s current bioprocessing facilities. - Map and directory of bio-innovation pilot facilities in Aotearoa New Zealand [PDF, 355 KB]
Contains locations and organisational details of bio-innovation pilot facilities in New Zealand. - Continuous cover forestry business models for Aotearoa New Zealand [PDF, 3.8 MB]
Identifies high-potential and priority business models; systemic barriers and enablers; an investment case; and recommended policies, market settings and initiatives to support the models. (December 2023) - Kinleith bio-hub concept study summary & recommendations (summary report) [PDF, 1 MB]
A summary of the study to redevelop the Kinleith Mill. The summary contains recommendations from the full report below. (Wood Beca, July 2023) - Kinleith bio-hub concept study report (full report) [PDF, 17 MB]
This study explores the opportunity to redevelop the Kinleith Mill. It covers improved energy systems and options to add other types of bio-based processing. (Wood Beca, June 2023) - Investment in the use of commercial forest biomass to move New Zealand towards carbon-zero [PDF, 7.1 MB]
This research report (Stage 1 of the Wood Fibre Futures Project) looks into wood processing and biofuel opportunities in NZ. (September 2020) - New Zealand Wood Fibre Futures Project – Stage 2 final main report [PDF, 9.2 MB]
Proposes how various types of wood processing and biofuel plants might be established in NZ from 2024 to 2040, and how the government might encourage investment in plants. (April 2022) - Analysis of access to innovation facilities [PDF, 1.1 MB]
An analysis of access to innovation facilities in a range of sectors including forestry and wood processing. Co-funded by MBIE. (Sapere, 2021) - An analysis of the logistical options for improving log supply conditions for processors in Northland and other regions facing supply constraints [PDF, 1.7 MB]
Economic modelling and options to improve the economics of log supply in wood-constrained regions such as Northland. (Forme Consulting Group, 2019) - Carbon footprint of New Zealand buildings [PDF, 402 KB]
A report measuring the embodied carbon benefits (emissions of a building during its lifespan) of increasing the number of timber buildings in NZ. (PLT Structural Consultants, 2021) - Comparative economic analysis of pruned and structural products throughout the forest supply chain [PDF, 1.1 MB]
Explores the economics of pruned timber. Suggests further areas of research and highlights issues that prevent more widespread pruning. (Forme Consulting Group, 2021) - Managing a steady base flow of log supply to Northland mills and other supply constrained regions, through warehousing models [PDF, 2.8 MB]
Looks at a range of issues around log supply. Explores the aggregation of wood supply using warehousing models to improve certainty of log flow, particularly from small growers. (Scion, 2019) - Review of precompetitive activities in key forest products exporting countries [PDF, 5.9 MB]
An assessment of approaches used by main international wood exporting countries to support their sectors to be competitive. Includes in-country and international support. (Indufor, 2021) - Wood manufacturing clusters international case studies [PDF, 5.8 MB]
This report reviews the experiences of 13 countries that are taking very different approaches in adding value to their forestry resource, centred on regional clustering. (Cluster Navigators, 2022)
Who to contact
If you have questions, email ForestryWoodProcessing@mpi.govt.nz
