Setting The Tone With A Deck Extension

The original Waipa sawmill (near Rotorua) was built by the New Zealand Government in 1940 to show the fledgling radiata pine industry how to process the new softwood. Sixty-plus years later and substantially altered, it is the subject of attention for totally different reasons

Decks are a wonderfully popular way of expanding the usable space of a house or a building, and they are also an expression of lifestyle

At one extreme they are part of "the largest private property theft in New Zealand’s history", and at the other they could be the salvation of a cash-strapped and troubled industry. Either way, carbon credits are one of the critical forestry issues of the moment

Soon-to-be-published Australian research confirms that increased use of wood products in house construction can extend the significant benefits of greenhouse gas reductions gained from sequestering carbon in trees.

The laudable concept of New Zealand having its own national forest certification standard hangs in the balance because Green and commercial interests are poles apart on a key issue. Meanwhile, arch radiata rival Chile has stolen a march with its new forestry standard.

In its search for sustainable, solid knot-free timber for a new furniture range, Danish manufacturer Zenia House chose radiata pine from New Zealand.

In Europe if you want solid wood furniture you go to a carpenter or cabinetmaker and have it custom-made. Solid timber is held in such high regard that part of the process involves choosing the wood yourself - you may even be able to choose its source

A survey is underway to test reaction to the possible introduction of a commodity levy that could change the face of the New Zealand forest industry.