About NZTIF
Over a century of service to the timber industry
Championing New Zealand's Sawmilling Industry for Over a Century
For more than a hundred years, NZTIF has provided essential advocacy, standards development, and support services to ensure the success and sustainability of New Zealand's sawmilling sector.
Representing the interests of New Zealand's sawmills
The New Zealand Timber Industry Federation (NZTIF) stands as the foremost advocate for the nation’s sawmilling industry.
As a nimble and agile organisation, NZTIF tirelessly bridges the needs of its members with the legislative and regulatory frameworks that govern the industry.
Our mission is to connect, simplify, and curate essential information, ensuring that New Zealand sawmillers can thrive in a dynamic business environment.
Through advocacy, standards development, and comprehensive industry support, NZTIF is dedicated to fostering a robust and sustainable sawmilling sector.
Our Story
Founded in 1912, NZTIF boasts a long and proud history of supporting New Zealand’s sawmillers.
Initially focused on indigenous forestry species such as Rimu, Matai, Beech, Totara, and Kahikitea, NZTIF’s predecessor organisations collaborated closely with the government to promote and protect sawmilling interests.
Early advocacy efforts addressed uniformity of timber sizes, royalties, log pricing, wages, timber haulage costs, taxation, and the export of key species.
In the 1950s, New Zealand transitioned to milling Pinus radiate and other exotic species like Douglas fir, shifting from indigenous to plantation forests as the primary source of logs. This change not only conserved native forests but also enhanced the sustainability and scalability of the timber industry.
Today, building on our rich legacy, NZTIF continues to ensure that New Zealand remains a top-tier timber producer globally. We support the growth of the private sawmilling community through cooperation, encouragement, and a shared commitment to excellence.
We actively collaborate with Te Uru Rakau (Forestry NZ), the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), and key timber industry organisations to co-develop comprehensive strategies for the future of New Zealand’s forestry sector. This collaboration ensures that the sawmilling industry remains resilient, innovative, and sustainable in the face of evolving environmental and economic landscapes.
Our Role
The NZTIF is a passionate advocate for New Zealand’s sawmilling industry across a wide range of areas, including:
Market Development and Promotion
Expanding domestic and international market opportunities for NZ timber products.
Quality Assurance and Certification
Implementing rigorous quality control measures to uphold timber integrity and reliability.
Standards and Technical Matters
Developing and maintaining high-quality standards to ensure timber suitability for various applications.
Providing Advice and Services to Members
Offering expert advice and resources, to help members navigate industry challenges and optimise their operations.
Communications and Media
Enhancing industry visibility and promoting the benefits of NZ timber through strategic communications.
Commercial and Regulatory Environment
Navigating and influencing commercial and regulatory policies to support industry growth.
Key Projects and Initiatives
NZTIF has been instrumental in numerous key projects and contributions that have shaped the timber industry in New Zealand. These projects and contributions reflect NZTIF’s unwavering commitment to advancing the sawmilling industry, ensuring that our members have the support and resources needed to succeed in both domestic and international markets.
Sale of State Forest Assets in the 1980s
Focused on domestic and overseas buyers, forest ownership, parceling forest assets, and managing residual government ownership. This initiative was pivotal in restructuring forest asset management to better support the sawmilling industry.
Market Development in the 1990s
Expanded export markets for Radiata Pine timber to countries such as Australia, the USA, South-East Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia), Taiwan, China, and Japan. These efforts opened new opportunities for NZ sawmillers in treated timber, mouldings, millwork, and industrial grades.
Workforce Development
Participating in the Forestry and Wood Processing Workforce Action Plan to address recruitment and retention challenges within the sector, ensuring a skilled and sustainable workforce for the future.
Standards Development and Technical Work
Developing and maintaining timber standards, such as NZS3602, NZS3603, NZS3604, NZS3640, and AS/NZS 1604, in collaboration with Australian and international bodies. This ensures that timber standards are fair, high-quality, and compliant on a global scale.
Quality Assurance and Certification
Establishing rigorous quality assurance programmes including the Verified Timber Programme; which ensures that structural timber meets stringent strength and stiffness criteria, and the WOODmark® Programme which ensures that timber products are preserved to specific standards for durability and environmental sustainability.
Forestry Sector Strategy
Co-developing the Forestry and Wood Processing Strategy alongside MPI and other industry stakeholders to guide the future development of New Zealand’s forestry sector.
Covid-19 Response
Working closely with the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and other industry groups to develop safe working practices for the timber industry’s return to operations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Learn more
Our People
Meet the valued board and dedicated team behind NZTIF’s century-long legacy.
News and Updates
Keep up to date with all of the news from the New Zealand timber industry.
Learn About Timber
Explore how timber shapes New Zealand’s building industry and supports sustainable practices.
Become a NZTIF Member
Join us and help us look after NZ’s timber industry.
NZTIF welcomes new members and works hard to look after the membership community.