Industries

The forestry and wood processing sector is Northland's third-biggest contributor to the regional economy. Over 2500 people are employed in these industries.

Woodprocessing at TDC Sawmills in Whangarei

The sector is based around large, radiata pine forests planted in Northland since the 1960s. Almost half of the Northland plantation estate is in the Far North district.

Radiata pine is a general-purpose wood suitable for a wide range of end uses including structural timber, packaging, plywood and veneer, furniture, joinery, posts and poles, reconstituted panel products, and pulp and paper.

The Northland harvest volume is significant and increasing and is forecast to continue. Forest ownership is diverse and ranges from large corporate forestry companies to individual woodlot owners.

Currently about 20% of Northland's harvest is processed within the region.

Recent years have seen some difficult trading conditions for woodprocessors – sawmillers, remanufacturers, timber treatment plants - but Whangarei processors have maintained steady trading levels, many continue to look forward to increasing processing volumes, expect to employ more staff and increase their turnover.

Key advantages that Northland enjoys are; the high basic density of Northland wood, a large volume of uncommitted wood available for processing, availability of labour, an established core of support trades eg: engineering, and a cohesive group of competitive but supportive industry representatives that meet regularly to address challenges these industries face.

The deep water port at Marsden Point, Whangarei also provides an advantage to the region.

Some of the challenges facing the industry include foreign exchange rates; the availability of trained, skilled employees; roading infrastructure; the security and cost of energy; resource consent processes and trade barriers (both tariff and non-tariff).

Related Websites

• Enterprise Northland
  Find more information out about the forestry and woodprocessing industries in Northland
• Northport Ltd
  View Northport Ltd's, the port operating company, website
  
  
• Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries