Friday Offcuts – 20 June 2025
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to this week's edition of Friday Offcuts.We're arriving a day early due to New Zealand’s Matariki public holiday tomorrow. Our lead story this week highlights the strengthening forestry ties between New Zealand and India - a rapidly expanding market where wood exports have jumped from NZ$9.5 million in 2023 to an estimated NZ$76.5 million this year. We also recap National Fieldays, NZ’s largest agricultural show, which wrapped up last weekend and continues to attract a growing forestry presence. Plus, we cover a world-first legal challenge targeting carbon emissions. In Australia, concern is rising over the Polyphagous Shot- hole Borer, a tiny beetle with the potential to devastate native forests. We also report on a positive annual trend in housing approvals despite monthly fluctuations, and mark South Australia’s celebration of 150 years of commercial plantation forestry. On the innovation front, the University of Canterbury has unveiled a cutting-edge chainsaw drone. We also highlight a global call for stronger cooperation on increasingly severe wildfires, and check in on the construction of a 31-storey mass timber building underway in the US. Read these and more in another packed edition of Friday Offcuts.
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This week we have for you:
Stronger forestry ties with India driving export growth
Forestry, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay, last Friday
announced there will be both inbound and outbound forestry trade
missions with India this year. This is aimed at strengthening
trade links, deepening industry ties, and unlocking greater value for
both countries’ forestry and wood processing sectors.“India is one of the fastest-growing markets for our forestry exports – and we’re focused on turning that growth into long-term opportunity for New Zealand exporters,” Mr McClay says. New Zealand’s wood exports to India have surged from $9.5 million in 2023 to an estimated $76.5 million this year. Pulp exports have more than doubled, from $20 million to $45.6 million. “Increased engagement with India is already delivering results. We’re now building on that momentum with a targeted sector focus — including hosting an Indian delegation in New Zealand and planning a Minister-led mission to India later this year.” The inbound visit, supported by industry partners, will showcase New Zealand’s world-class forestry systems and sustainable management practices. While the outbound mission will continue to open doors for deeper commercial and government partnerships. “Our relationship with India is a priority, and forestry is a key part of that. The goal is clear: to grow the market, remove barriers, and drive better returns back to New Zealand’s foresters and processors.” More >> Source: Beehive FWPA’s latest industry statistics released
Below are the most recent news updates and industry info from FWPA's
Statistics and Economics Program.Housing approvals for March 2025 Housing Approvals for March 2025 are still volatile, but the overall trend is positive. The March 2025 Building Approvals continued to show volatility in the monthly data with detached house approvals of 8,944 for March down -4.2% on the previous month. Similarly, monthly approvals for total dwellings in March were 15,220 down -8.8% on the previous month. However, reflecting the fact that progress is being made on the less volatile annual data, detached house approvals year-end March 2025 were 111,369 up 9.6% on the year-end March 2024. Total approvals for year-end March 2025 were 179,154 which was a gain of 10.1% on the previous period. More >> The trend of housing finance: insight from the latest lending indicators data The quarterly lending indicators, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), reflect new loan commitments made by lenders for both housing and business finance. Within the housing finance category, lending is further broken down into three key borrower groups: owner-occupiers, first-home buyers, and investors. According to the ABS’s latest release of lending indicators for the March quarter 2025 (Q1 2025), year-on-year comparisons (aggregated across four quarters) show a general upward trend in housing finance commitments. More >> Source: FWPA Governments must fight beetle to save Australian trees
Australia’s forestry industry is calling on the
Commonwealth and State governments to ramp-up eradication efforts of the
foreign Polyphagous Shot-hole borer (PSHB) – a tiny beetle that
could destroy millions of hectares of Australian forests and
wreak havoc with suburban trees nationally, if it’s allowed to
leave Perth’s metropolitan area, Chief Executive Officer of the
Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said.Prevalent in other parts of the world – the PSHB was first detected in Perth in 2021. It’s a tiny, exotic beetle that bores holes into tree trunks, stems and branches, eventually killing susceptible trees. Hundreds of tree species are at risk of attack from this environmental pest – including eucalypts. “Without all jurisdictions committing to a properly funded and coordinated approach to eradicate the PSHB, there’s a serious risk the pest could spread across Australia and seriously impact not only the forestry industry, but also suburban trees across parkland, backyards and reserves, as well as other forests and national parks.” Under Australia’s biosecurity provisions, the resourcing of responses to environmental pests is cost-shared by the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments – which have been working to date with Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to eradicate the beetle through a combination of regulatory, surveillance, tree removal and public information activities. “We welcome the efforts being made so far – but we’re concerned insufficient resources are being provided in Western Australia in the attempt to eradicate or contain the PSHB,” Diana Hallam said. “Our sector feels particularly exposed as our second most important plantation species, the Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus), is susceptible to infestation and a reproductive host. Should the PSHB spread to plantation areas it would jeopardise a significant segment of Australia’s sustainable $24 billion forestry and manufacturing industry and the 180,000 direct and indirect jobs that rely on it. “It’s not just the forestry industry. In Perth the PSHB is destroying trees in backyards, gardens, urban forests and native reserves across the suburbs. Can we imagine if major parks or botanic gardens in our other major cities were littered with sick or dying trees because of this pest!?” In South Africa and California, where PSHB has already established itself, the losses and cost of management are in the billions of dollars across local governments, horticulture, forestry and the environment through tree deaths or increased management costs. Failure to act decisively now, risks setting a dangerous precedent: that environmental biosecurity threats can be ignored and will be rightly seen by many as dereliction of the shared responsibility of governments across Australia to protect our unique environment and essential industry. As is the case with current efforts to control Red Imported Fire Ant in Queensland, a shared-national response is appropriate. Without eradication or effective containment in the long-term, Australia’s efforts to preserve biodiversity, provide locally sourced timber and wood-fibre for sovereign capability, increase carbon capture and grow our urban canopies will be undermined by this insidious pest. More >> Source & image credit: AFPA Image credit: WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development  Cutting edge Canterbury drone tech on show
Researchers at the University of Canterbury has spent the last
eight years developing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) that
can use precise tools in complex, dynamic environments.Led by UC Computer Science Professor Richard Green and UC Mechanical Engineering Professor Dan Zhao, the team recently demonstrated their prototype chainsaw drone to industry representatives. Professor Green says the new drone is a breakthrough with potential to make trimming trees around power lines and pylons safer and more efficient without the need for ladders and scaffolding. “Last year we developed a drone that was capable of carrying a pruning tool, but we’ve refined and adapted the technology to attach a chainsaw that allows thicker branches to be cut. “We believe this tool will be transformative across a range of different industries where jobs are inaccessible and hazardous for humans, making them safer, more cost-effective and more efficient. This includes arboriculture, electricity infrastructure industry and civil construction.” The technological challenges of the project included accurate estimation of the drone’s motion and the branch it is going to cut, as well as achieving the aerodynamics and precise control required for the drone to cut branches autonomously in a wide range of dynamic environments, Professor Green says. Other researchers involved in the project, funded over five years by a $10 million grant from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, include UC Senior Research Engineer and UAV expert Dr Sam Schofield and University of Auckland Mechanical Engineering Professor Karl Stol. The team is working in collaboration with a number of Kiwi UAV experts, international researchers, and UAV manufacturers and users. Professor Green hopes to have the chainsaw drone ready for commercialisation next year. More >> Source & image credit: University of Canterbury NZ’s carbon forestry offsets on trial in High Court case
A world-first legal challenge in Wellington is targeting the decades-long reliance of successive New Zealand governments on planting trees to offset climate-warming emissions from burning fossil fuels.The judicial review filed on Tuesday by advocacy groups Lawyers for Climate Action and the Environmental Law Initiative has a broad focus, arguing the current Government has erred in how it revised its predecessor’s climate plan and how it assembled its own. But one of the specific claims the lawyers make in their filing targets the policy consensus on trees, highlighting that scientific research increasingly suggests carbon sequestered by trees should not offset carbon emitted to the atmosphere. “It’s very significant. To our knowledge, it’s the first challenge in the world against a government on this issue,” Jessica Palairet, the executive director of Lawyers for Climate Action, told Newsroom. More >> Source: Newsroom  SnapSTAT - Exports of logs & wood from NZ, 1998 to 2024
More: https://figure.nz/chart/RVXoJTQyAv6xMh0q South Australia celebrate 150 years of plantation forestry
South Australia proudly celebrates a major milestone in its
history with 2025 marking the 150th anniversary of the
state’s forest and timber industries.“As the birthplace of Australia’s commercial plantation estates, South Australia’s forest and timber industry leaders, along with the Premier, Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Minister for Forest Industries, State politicians, local members of parliament, mayors and members of the community, gathered in Mount Gambier on Friday 13th June to celebrate the shared history, and to highlight the contributions the industry has made to our national and cultural identity”, said Mr Nathan Paine, Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Forest Products Association” . “This celebration is more than a dinner, it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to stand behind an industry that has shaped regional communities, driven economic growth and delivered environmental benefits for 150 years”, continued Mr Paine. “From the first hectare of trees planted in 1875 in the Bundaleer Forests in the Mid-North, the industry has grown to 176,000 hectares, directly and indirectly employing over 21,300 jobs, processing fibre that builds our homes, the pallets that move consumer products from manufacturer to shop, the pulp and appear products that are used in our everyday lives from toilet paper to cardboard boxes, to the potting mix that grow our fruit and vegetables”, said Mr Paine. “South Australia’s forestry plantations are the foundation of our state’s future. Our State has long been at the forefront of innovation and sustainable forest management, and the 150th celebratory dinner marks a proud reflection of the industry’s enduring success and it’s growing importance to the State’s economic value chain, regional development and environmental sustainability”, said Mr Paine. “Along with the environmental and sustainable benefits of the industry, the 150th anniversary dinner also highlights the importance of those who have dedicated their career to the industry. Their commitment, passion, drive and innovative practices have shaped South Australia as a leader in forest management, timber production and research”, said Mr Paine. “A special thank you to our major partner, OneFortyOne, and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions for their generous support of this event. South Australia has an incredible community of forest and timber managers, employees and supporters, and it’s a milestone opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the legacy and future opportunities of South Australia’s forest industries”, concluded Mr Paine. More >> Source & image credit: South Australian Forest Products Association  A new era of forest fires needs global solutions
From the forests of Canada to the drylands of Australia, and across
diverse landscapes like Türkiye and Thailand, forest fires
are burning with increasing intensity. These fires are no
longer just seasonal; they're becoming extreme events that are
affecting our world throughout the year, impacting communities,
economies, and natural environments. This growing crisis points to a
"new normal" where more regions are experiencing the damaging effects of
these fires.What was perceived as a future risk, is now an urgent reality. In Türkiye, the extreme fires in 2021 burnt over 139,500 hectares of forests throughout the year, killed nine people, damaged infrastructure and communities, and affected many sectors. Greece’s worst fires occurred in 2023, was the largest in EU history. Earlier this year, South Korea faced its deadliest wildfires on record. Climate models project a 14% increase in forest fire frequency by 2030 and up to 50% by 2100. These forest fires are deadlier, more frequent, and financially devastating, transforming an environmental challenge into a fiscal and macroeconomic emergency that demands international cooperation, risk-sharing, and strategic investment. More >> Source:World Bank Group Carbon method: Enhancing native forest resilience
In July 2024, Forestry Australia submitted an expression of
interest for the Enhancing Native Forest Resilience (ENFR) Carbon Method
to the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC) for
consideration under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme. We
received confirmation last week from ERAC that the method could now be
made publicly available and therefore, are pleased to be able to share
the proposed ENFR Method.Forestry Australia remains firmly committed to the development and advancement of the ENFR Method. We will continue to advocate for active and adaptive forest management as a critical component of delivering a holistic range of benefits from our native forests. As new data and insights become available, we will work to strengthen and refine the method and pursue opportunities for its future recognition. We are also providing a copy of the feedback received from ERAC on 30 October 2024 regarding the method, which was not shortlisted but highly commended and noted as having “excellent alignment with the Offsets Integrity Standards and triage criteria.” We hope this information will be helpful for those seeking insight into the method and the process. Read submission Source & image credit: Forestry Australia Scion at Fieldays 2025: On-the-ground insights
Fieldays – held at Mystery Creek last week – is a
wonderland full of tractors, the latest agricultural
technology, gumboots and much more. It’s guaranteed to delight
farmers, rural professionals, politicians and agricultural businesses
and advocacy organisations.This year Scion sponsored the Forestry Hub stage, where there were plenty of conversations around gene technologies, native trees, the circular bioeconomy and more. Rachael and I parked ourselves on stools while we listened to Scion scientists Peter Clinton, Diahanna O’Callahan and Simeon Smaill talk about how forestry and agriculture can work together to address climate challenges, why treated radiata pine is built to last and how we can apply radiata pine growth learnings to create indigenous forests. Scion chief operating officer Florian Graichen also attended this year, and said the event was a whirlwind of inspiration and collaboration. His highlights include a visit to the inaugural German Pavilion, which featured more than 10 leading agri-businesses, and meeting European Union Ambassador to New Zealand Lawrence Meredith – which could help Scion identify new collaborative opportunities with Europe. “The Scion team had a great time, sharing their cutting-edge science, catching up with friends and business contacts and making new connections,” Florian says. Florian, GM Forests to Bio-based Products Alec Foster and portfolio lead Marc Gaugler also featured on the Forestry Hub stage. Florian and Alec shared insights on the future of biotechnology and Scion’s continued innovations to help transform forestry exports, and the exciting journey as we join the Bioeconomy Science Institute from July 1. Marc, meanwhile, focused on the bioeconomy in the forest: Transforming trees into tomorrow’s products. He also showed international examples of commercially established products that add value to forest resources and could help increase exports from NZ resources. Scion’s innovations aim to embrace opportunities and solve challenges as New Zealand moves to a circular bioeconomy focused on sustainable design and renewable resources. More >> Source & image credit: Scion --(2022)2.jpg) Steve Whiteley, CEO of Sustainable Timber Tasmania, retires
Sustainable Timber Tasmania
has announced the retirement of their CEO, Steve Whiteley.
Mr Rob de Fegely, Chair of Sustainable Timber Tasmania, said, " Chief Executive Officer Steve Whiteley will retire at the conclusion of his current term, following more than 40 years of dedicated service to Sustainable Timber Tasmania and the broader forest industry." "During his tenure, Mr Whiteley has successfully guided the organisation through a period of significant transformation. His vision and commitment have been instrumental in positioning the organisation for long-term success. On behalf of the Board, I extend our sincere thanks for his outstanding contribution," said Mr de Fegely. To maintain continuity and strategic focus, the Board has appointed Mr Greg Hickey as Acting Chief Executive Officer, effective from 1 July 2025. Mr Hickey, currently Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s General Manager of Operations, brings extensive experience in Tasmania’s forest industry and is exceptionally well-placed to lead the organisation during this transition. Supported by the Executive Team, Mr Hickey will provide stability and direction as the Board undertakes a national recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive Officer. Sustainable Timber Tasmania enters this new chapter with strong momentum and remains focused on delivering sustainable outcomes for Tasmania’s public production forests, while continuing to provide value to the Tasmanian community. Source Sustainable Timber Tasmania Image credit: AFPA Tigercat announces dealership transition in NZ
Tigercat is officially announcing a change in authorised
dealership for the distribution of its purpose-built forestry equipment
in New Zealand. Effective July 1, 2025, the distribution rights will
transition from AB Equipment (ABE) to CablePrice (NZ) Ltd. (CPL).
This decision comes as part of a strategic realignment by both ABE and Tigercat regarding their respective futures in the New Zealand market. Since being appointed as Tigercat's authorised dealer in 2010, ABE has played a pivotal role in building and supporting the Tigercat brand across the country. Despite facing challenging market conditions in recent years, ABE successfully maintained a strong market share, a testament to the dedication and professionalism of their team. Tigercat deeply appreciates the strong partnership and collaboration shared with ABE over the past fifteen years. The success of this relationship has been driven by the commitment of ABE’s sales and support staff, and Tigercat extends its sincere thanks to everyone involved. As Tigercat moves forward with CablePrice, we are confident that this new partnership will continue to provide exceptional service and support to our valued customers in New Zealand. Glen Marley, Tigercat District Manager for Australia & New Zealand, comments, “Tigercat has enjoyed a terrific and fruitful partnership with the whole team at AB Equipment over the past fifteen years, and we can only wish them all the best in their future direction. We’re all very much looking forward to working with the team at CablePrice to push hard on long-term growth and further success in the future, along with the same exceptionally high standard of customer support throughout New Zealand going forward.” CablePrice brings over 70 years of industry experience supporting New Zealand's construction, forestry, transport, agriculture, mining, and sectors. The company specialises in importing and distributing industrial machinery along with sales of commercial vehicles., backed by comprehensive parts and service support. With a network of fully equipped workshops and highly trained service personnel, CablePrice is well-positioned to deliver the world-class equipment and customer service Tigercat customers have come to expect. Aidan Mahony, Managing Director of CablePrice (NZ) Ltd., adds, “We are excited and proud to be partnering with Tigercat — an industry leader in forestry innovation and performance. This partnership represents a significant opportunity for CablePrice to further expand our presence in the forestry sector. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and delivering the highest levels of customer support to Tigercat owners and operators across the country.” Tigercat, ABE, and CPL have been working diligently to carry out this transition with minimal disruption to the customer base. Tigercat looks forward to this new chapter with CablePrice and remains committed to supporting the forestry industry across New Zealand with innovative, purpose-built equipment and exceptional service. More >> Source & image credit: Tigercat  Construction started on 31-story mass timber building in the US
A record-breaking apartment tower is under construction in
Milwaukee. Neutral Edison will be the tallest mass timber building
in the Western Hemisphere when completed in 2027The 31-story building, 1005 N. Edison St., will include 353 high-end apartments and loads of environmentally-friendly features. Once complete, it will eclipse the height of the current world record holder, the 25-story Ascent building located just a half mile east. That building, completed in 2022, was certified as the “world’s tallest timber-concrete hybrid building.” But an even taller building is already under construction in Sydney, Australia and is expected to claim the world record, limiting The Edison’s claim to the Western Hemisphere. Nevertheless, Madison-based Neutral is moving on a project it has publicly planned and expanded since 2020. It’s also planning a world record-breaking tower across the street. More >> Source:Urban Milwaukee Image credit: Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture .jpg) Jobs
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and one to end the week on... the business of bars
Bars are weird...  Friday Offcuts is a day early this week as Friday, 20 March 2025 is the Matariki public holiday in New Zealand. Matariki is a time for remembrance, celebrating the present and looking to the future. To find out more visit: marariki.com  And on that note, enjoy your weekend. Cheers.  Brand PartnersOur Partners & Sponsors Friday Offcuts is made possible through the generous support of the following companies.
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