Friday Offcuts – 22 August 2025
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to this week’s edition of Friday Offcuts.This week, Carter Holt Harvey announced plans to close Nelson’s Eves Valley Sawmill, putting 142 jobs at risk. While sector pressures made this likely, the impact on the local community will be tough. Over 300 attended Carbon Forestry 2025 in Rotorua, where the Government outlined ETS priorities and policy changes from 1 January 2026. In Australia, National Forestry Day saw South Australia launch its “Our Timber. Our Jobs. Our Future.” strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing - timely with the potential flood of imported timber on the horizon. New investment is also flowing: the Australian Government’s A$19m for 15 plantation projects, Gresham House expanding into Australasia, a Crown Forestry–Ngāi Tahu biomass partnership, and Scion moving into wood-based marine biofuels. Finally, the upcoming events Residues2Revenues 2025 and Bioeconomy Innovations 2025 are running together, giving delegates a full view of the bio-value chain. A few complimentary WIDE Trust places remain for under-35s (conditions apply). Read these stories and more in this week’s edition.
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This week we have for you:
Closure of Eves Valley Sawmill would affect 142 jobs
Carter Holt Harvey's planned closure of Eves Valley Sawmill
would have a huge impact on the region, Tasman's mayor says.
The facility, 21 kilometres out of Nelson, was built in the
1980s.Company management told Tim King on Thursday it planned to shut the plant near Nelson and consolidate resources at its Kawerau plant in Bay of Plenty, with the potential loss of 142 jobs. "There have been rumours around the future of this mill for some considerable time, but it still comes as a huge shock when you actually hear that it's intended to close. The implications are very significant for us as a region," he said. "I've grown up with this site, I lived here before the mill was built, I watched it being built, I've lived next to it for most of my life. I can certainly understand how difficult it is for those people who have worked here, many of them have worked here for a very long time as well." More >> Source: RNZ 150 years of forestry, but an uncertain future
National Forestry Day is usually a time to celebrate
the achievements of Australia’s forest and timber industries, with
this year marking 150 years since George Goyder mapped out South
Australia’s first plantation. But despite this milestone,
the industry faces an uncertain economic future, according to South
Australian Forest Products Association Chief Executive Officer, Nathan
Paine. “South Australia is proud to be the birthplace of Australia’s plantation forestry industry. For 150 years, generations of South Australians have grown and processed the timber that builds our homes, supports our manufacturers and retailers, underpins our farms, and sustains our economy and way of life. Yet today, our timber processors are under unprecedented pressure from both soft domestic demand and the growing threat of surging imports,” Mr Paine said. The United States has now lifted tariffs on Canadian timber to 35.19%, escalating a broader global trade shift with Canada explicitly identifying Australia as a key new market for its diverted supply. “The scale of potential trade diversion is alarming, especially as Canada exported an estimated 28 million m³ of lumber to the US in 2024 – equivalent to almost 2 million homes. And, even if 5% of Canada’s displaced supply were redirected to Australia, it would mean an additional 1 million m³ flooding into our market – a volume large enough to destabilise local processors and trigger mill closures”, continued Mr Paine. This is not just a trade issue – it’s a sovereign capability issue, and to protect Australia’s timber future, SAFPA has released its 'Our Timber. Our Jobs. Our Future.' policy paper, calling for urgent government action. Key recommendations include:
“National Forestry Day should be a moment of pride – and it is. But it must also be a call to action. SAFPA is working with industry to protect our sovereign capability, secure regional jobs, and ensure that the next 150 years of Australian forestry are defined by resilience, innovation, and sustainability – not disinvestment and decline.” “Industry acknowledges the Government’s ongoing engagement and looks forward to working together to protect – and grow – our timber industries into the future. SAFPA will be seeking urgent discussions with the Government to secure support for these recommendations.” More >> Source & image credit: South Australian Forest Products Association New Zealand ETS settings & regulations updated
New Zealand Climate Change Minister, Hon Simon Watts, spoke at Carbon Forestry 2025 in Rotorua this week. The Government
has announced the number of units that will be available and price
control limits for the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme auctions for the next
five years as part of annual updates to the NZ ETS.The NZ ETS is New Zealand’s key tool to reduce emissions. Updating NZ ETS Settings annually ensures the scheme can continue to play that role and helps us meet our climate change targets. These changes will take effect from 1 January 2026. NZ ETS settings updates The Government has decided to maintain current auction volumes for the next four years and to extend volumes to 2030. This means 16.9 million units will be available between 2026 – 2030. The price controls, including the auction floor price and cost containment reserve price, will also remain largely the same and will only be adjusted for inflation. This was “Option 1” during this year’s annual consultation. NZ ETS cap decisions The NZ ETS cap refers to the portion of the emissions budget that is expected to be achieved by sectors covered by the NZ ETS. The Government has decided to confirm the cap for the second emissions budget period and set a provisional cap for the third emissions budget as follows. These are consistent with the proposals consulted on.
The Government has also decided to update NZ ETS regulations to make auctions more efficient and improve the accuracy of emissions reporting. Many of these changes are calculation improvements, or routine updates relevant to specific sectors. There is also a change in how unsold auction volumes are treated in subsequent auctions within the same calendar year. Unsold auction volumes that are carried over to the next auction will only be available when the original auction volume in that auction is sold. This was “Option 1” during this year’s annual consultation on NZ ETS regulations. Unsold units in the final auction of the year will not carry forward into a new calendar year; this is unchanged from previous years. More >> Source: Ministry for the Environment  Government supporting Australia's forestry plantations
The Albanese Labor Government is supporting a Future Made in
Australia, with 15 new forestry plantation projects to share in $19
million. Funded through Round 3 of the Support Plantation
Establishment program, the projects will help establish new plantations
in NSW, Western Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and, for the first time,
the Northern Territory.This will support expanding our sustainable domestic construction and manufacturing timber resources, contribute to Australia’s carbon emission reduction targets, and support regional communities through the retention and creation of regional jobs. The new projects are in addition to 45 existing projects already funded through the program, taking total funding awarded to date to more than $46 million. This brings the total area of new plantations supported by the program to around 25,000 hectares, delivering more opportunities and support for Australia’s forestry sector. The more than $73 million program supports the establishment of new long-rotation softwood and hardwood plantation forests in Australia, helping the sector to respond to the projected growth in demand for domestically sourced timber supply. It is part of the Albanese Labor Government’s broader $300 million investment in the future of sustainable forestry, from research and development through to workforce training. Applications for Round 3, Batch 5 of the Support Plantation Establishment program are open until 24 September 2025 for private industry, First Nations businesses, farm foresters and state and territory government forestry bodies to establish new plantations. “The Albanese Labor Government is delivering for our forestry sector, with $300 million to help improve the sector’s capacity and capability," said Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP. “The action we are taking now will support a Future Made in Australia, increasing our domestic timber supply and reducing our future dependence on import timber markets." More >> Source: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry  Biofuel innovation set to make waves in marine shipping
Biofuel technology that promises to help reduce the marine
shipping industry’s carbon footprint is a step closer, with the
launch of a company set up to lead its commercialisation.Start-up venture Biowave, launched in Wellington on August 13, will focus on attracting private investors to help commercialise the technology – which converts wood into biofuel that can be used as a drop-in replacement for fossil-based marine heavy fuel oil. Developed by the Bioeconomy Science Institute, this innovation produces a biofuel that blends with existing marine fuel oil, aimed to use existing portside and on-board infrastructure and to meet the existing marine fuel specifications. Biowave is a spin-out company from the Bioeconomy Science Institute, with two staff – Integrated Bioenergy portfolio leader Dr Paul Bennett and innovation manager Amanda Davies – its co-founders. Paul says the biofuel technology is a promising solution to reducing the shipping industry’s carbon footprint. “With the global shipping sector responsible for around three percent of annual CO2 emissions, the need for sustainable alternatives has never been more urgent. “We are committed to driving down biofuel costs and accelerating clean energy innovations for the maritime sector. Major exporters are increasingly concerned about the carbon emissions linked to their products, with market access becoming a real risk,” he says. “The technology has the potential to make a substantial contribution to the maritime industry’s decarbonisation goals.” Shipping is an essential component of global trade, moving 80 percent of the world’s goods. For New Zealand, 99 percent of international trade depends on maritime routes, with shipping enabling nearly 45 percent of the country’s gross domestic profit. “As demand for shipping increases, the sector’s carbon footprint is on track to rise, potentially accounting for up to 13 percent of global emissions in the coming decades if no action is taken,” Paul says. Fuel testing of a 20 percent Biowave blend has excited industry partners and could represent a product suitable for entry in the marine fuel market. Scale-up production and engine testing will be required to confirm market acceptance. “The maritime industry is actively seeking solutions, and we’ve seen significant interest in Biowave from key stakeholders across the supply chain, including shipping companies, energy providers, ports and product exporters,” Amanda says. “This technology offers a cost-competitive, sustainable solution for New Zealand’s economy and could be scaled globally. With strong market validation and a clear path to market, Biowave is set to make a lasting impact on New Zealand’s economy and the maritime industry to meet 2050 climate commitments.” The Scion Group’s leadership in this space is reinforced by its participation in the KiwiNet Commercialisation Partner Network, which aims to drive the commercial success of research innovations in New Zealand. More >> Source & image credit: Scion .jpg) Celebrating National Forestry Day
Sustainable, renewable, beautiful and useful - National Forestry
Day gives us a chance to celebrate the people, products and practices
that make Australia's forest and wood products industries so incredible.
CEO of the Australian Forest Contractors Association Tim Lester said timber and wood fibre is so ubiquitous in our lives, it often goes unrecognised. "In our houses and offices we are surrounded by forest products. There's the timber you don't see in the frames, the timber you do see in the furniture and features, and the timber that has been transformed in paper and cardboard," he said. National Forestry Day gives us a chance to talk about and celebrate these wonderful products, where they come from and the terrific people and businesses involved right along the supply chain. In particular, we celebrate the forestry services businesses who maintain an essential and critical workforce with specialist skills and equipment to undertake high risk and complex operations in challenging circumstances. They are true environmental defenders driven by long-term sustainability and a desire to protect the resource for the long term. Every fire season, we see forestry services businesses called into action because of their capabilities and knowledge. "Forestry provides high quality jobs in rural and regional areas, ensuring security and stability for thousands of families. The social infrastructure supported by forestry means build communities as well as houses. National Forestry Day is a great chance to recognise the contribution of this sector in its many forms," Tim Lester concluded. Source & image credit: Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) Forestry right agreement focuses on woody biomass
A forestry right agreement between Crown Forestry and Ngāi Tahu
Farming in North Canterbury is an exciting opportunity for the emerging
woody biomass sector, says Paul Burridge, General Manager Crown
Forestry.“Woody biomass is a leading alternative to replace coal in the South Island, and this joint venture will increase the supply through planting forests for woody biomass, and targeted research and development,” Mr Burridge says. Crown Forestry is a commercially-focused team within Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service that manages a portfolio of Crown owned plantation forestry assets. The 5,400-hectare Hikawaikura Forest in the Hurunui District is on land owned by Ngāi Tahu Farming (NTF). It comprises previously harvested land (forestry cutover) and recently planted pine plantation. Under the forestry right agreement, Crown Forestry will plant, manage, and harvest the forest. In return, NTF will receive an annual rental. “Our goal is to demonstrate the viability of a range of forestry regimes for biomass through the harvest of short rotation forestry and the increased recovery of forestry residues, however we retain the option to transition management of the forest to a more conventional production regime over 25 years if we need to.” Mr Burridge added. Hikawaikura Forest is a strategically located asset within economic reach of markets. “It has scale for testing a range of regimes, the easy contour allows for increased recovery of forest residues, and it will provide insights on improving sector resilience.” Source: Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service Image credit: Ngāi Tahu Farming  Residues2Revenues 2025 – keynote presentations
Following a record turnout of over 200 attendees last year, the
programme for the upcoming Residues2Revenues 2025
conference continues to expand. Taking place on 21-22
October 2025 in Rotorua, New Zealand, this event focuses on the latest
strategies and innovations for converting forestry residues into
valuable biofuels, bioenergy, and renewable bioproducts.This year’s programme is headlined by keynote speaker Don G. Roberts, a distinguished bioenergy expert and the CEO of Canadian-based Nawitka Capital Advisors. With over 40 years of experience in the financial services and clean technology sectors, Roberts will deliver a presentation on ‘Championing Transformation – Global Challenges and Opportunities in Using Forest Resource for High Value Products’. “We are incredibly excited to welcome a global authority like Don G. Roberts to share his insights,” said Innovatek director, and event organiser, John Stulen. “His perspective, combined with the practical expertise of local industry leaders, will provide attendees with a comprehensive view of the future of the bioeconomy.” The agenda also features prominent speakers including Shane Batchelor from Red Stag Timber, who will discuss modern sawmill energy systems, alongside key presentations from Genesis Energy and the Government’s Woody Biomass Taskforce. In a first for the event, Residues2Revenues 2025 will run concurrently with the Bioeconomy Innovations 2025 conference. This unique format allows registered delegates to move freely between both events, gaining a complete understanding of the entire bio-value chain. Prospective attendees are encouraged to register early to secure significant savings. Super Early Bird rates, offering a discount of up to $400, are available until the deadline this Friday, August 22, 2025. Click here for more information on the programme.  SFM partners with Agtuary in carbon project developments
SFM is collaborating with land data analytics company Agtuary to
support its assessment of properties suitable for carbon project
development, helping to streamline decision-making and enhance
the integrity of its project pipeline.Through Agtuary’s transparent, science-backed benchmarking platform, SFM will be able to evaluate the carbon potential and land value of properties with greater speed, accuracy and consistency. The engagement will enable SFM to make earlier, more informed decisions about where carbon projects can deliver strong environmental and commercial outcomes. “Agtuary’s customisable platform allows us to align scientific data with our project criteria — from carbon sequestration to co-benefit potential — all while ensuring transparency and efficiency in our processes,” said SFM’s Managing Director, Andrew Morgan. “It’s a smart investment in both technology and rigour as we continue to grow our portfolio of high-integrity carbon projects.” Agtuary enables third-party assessments using independent data sources and geospatial modelling, providing valuable insights on land performance, opportunity, and value. The platform will support SFM’s ongoing efforts to identify properties in Australia that can support long-term, sustainable land use change through carbon forestry. “SFM is applying Agtuary in exactly the way it’s intended — as a decision-support tool grounded in science and built for practical outcomes,” said Brent Wedesweiler, Chief Operating Officer at Agtuary. “We’re pleased to be contributing to projects that create measurable environmental and economic value.” This collaboration underscores SFM’s continued leadership in sustainable forestry and carbon development and reinforces its commitment to evidence-based project design. More >> Source & image credit: SFM Trailer lifting chain safety – important reminder!There have been two recent incidents where trailer lifting chains failed while a trailer was being lifted onto the truck, including one serious near miss that could have resulted in serious harm. Following these events, the Log Transport Safety Council (LTSC) has reviewed these incidents, with the support of Maritime NZ and Worksafe NZ, including a review of the Trailer Lifting Code.Both failures were attributed to worn componentry and poor maintenance. In response, the LTSC has produced a safety video explaining the causes of the failures and providing clear guidance on how to inspect and maintain trailer lifting chains. The recommended approach includes daily checks by drivers, along with monthly and annual inspections of the lifting chains and mounting points by a suitably qualified person. The LTSC has also recommended an increase in chain and coupling strength to avoid further issues and significantly increase the system’s safety margin. This also serves as a reminder that trucks must carry a current trailer lifting certificate. LTSC has requested that forest owners ask their trucking contractors to verify that certificates are up to date and reinforce the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. For further information please visit the LTSC website. More >> Source: Worksafe NZ  Gresham House expands forestry investment in Australasia
Gresham House, a UK-based alternative asset manager, is making a
bold move to direct a significant portion of its global forestry funds
toward Australia and New Zealand. The firm is planning to
allocate up to 40% of its global forest investments into these regions
as part of its strategy to capitalise on timberland, afforestation, and
carbon-related projects.Tony Dalwood, the CEO of Gresham House, spoke to Agri Investor recently, confirming these plans. “We’ve got very good track records now in Australia and New Zealand,” Dalwood said, underscoring the firm’s solid foundation in the region. The firm’s increased interest is strongly aligned with the newly established Nature Repair Market in Australia. This market offers investors the opportunity to earn biodiversity credits by supporting environmental restoration projects, further enhancing the sustainability appeal of these investments. Dalwood mentioned that the company is keen on tapping into emerging markets like biodiversity credits, which ties in with Gresham House’s broader sustainability strategy. This strategy, outlined in its 2024 Sustainability Investment Report, emphasises not just carbon forestry, but also vertical farming and habitat banking as pillars of its commitment to what it calls “the sustainability economy.” More >> Source: Wood & Panel Reducing emissions during transport of timber
Electric harvesters and forwarders at work in the forest, less
noisy timber lorries being loaded on a logging road. Is this just a pipe
dream or a development we should take seriously?By the end of the decade, the above scenario could be quite a common sight for those visiting a forest, now that low-emission energy sources are being looked for to power machines and vehicles in the forest industry supply chain. To a great extent, fossil fuels are still used today in harvesters and timber lorries, as well as in the machinery used to handle timber at mills and terminals. This, however, is set to change. A number of forest industry actors have decided to join forces and participate in a project called Accelerating Climate efforts and Investments (ACE). Funded from the European Union’s LIFE programme, the ACE project supports the goal set for the reduction of emissions from the effort-sharing sector by 2030, and the goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2035. More >> Source & image credit: Forest News Finnish Forest Association  Planting season wraps up in the Green Triangle
OneFortyOne has wrapped up its annual planting season,
establishing another generation of forests throughout the Green
Triangle. Despite a dry few months, millions of healthy
seedlings were dispatched from the OneFortyOne Glencoe Nursery to forest
growers across the region, including OneFortyOne’s own estate and
a range of other forestry operations.Nursery manager Craig Torney said thanks to a new shed and infrastructure improvements, most operations are now undercover, reducing the impact of weather and creating a more comfortable working environment for the nursery team. “The nursery was buzzing during what was another busy season,” Craig said. “It was great to see our upgraded facility in full operation.” The nursery supplies seedlings not only for OneFortyOne’s forests but also for a range of forest growers across the Green Triangle. The OneFortyOne estate team works together closely to coordinate the complex delivery program, ensuring each planting crew receives the right trees at the right time. “We know what trees need to go where and to which planting crew at what time,” Craig said. “This good management means the program is spread out over eight or nine weeks, rather than being compressed into a shorter, more intense period.” “Combined with our upgraded systems, it made the season far less hectic and we’ve definitely seen and heard that feedback from our nursery team.” OneFortyOne Estate Manager Marcel Griffiths said the planting program covered 1,826 hectares, supported by three dedicated planting crews working tirelessly over 51 workdays. “The Nursery and silviculture teams delivered an outstanding performance this season,” Marcel said. “Their coordination and professionalism ensured the program ran smoothly and efficiently.” With planting complete, focus now shifts to ensuring these seedlings establish well and grow into healthy, productive forests. More >> Source & image credit: OneFortyOne Jobs
Buy and Sell
and one to end the week on... The forgotten shoes
Arnold and his wife were cleaning out the attic one day when he came across a ticket from the local shoe repair shop. The date stamped on the ticket showed that it was over eleven years old. They both laughed and tried to remember which of them might have forgotten to pick up a pair of shoes over a decade ago. 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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