Friday Offcuts – 2 April 2026
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to this week’s issue of Friday Offcuts.As the Easter weekend approaches, the contrast is clear - mounting fuel cost pressures continue to strain the sector, yet government interventions on both sides of the Tasman signal a growing willingness to provide support where it’s needed most. In New Zealand, potential mill closures in Kaitāia raise serious regional and employment concerns, while Australian relief on export cost recovery and fuel excise offers some short-term breathing space - though longer-term cost pressures remain. Uncertainty around forestry’s inclusion in New Zealand’s national fuel plan adds further tension. On a more positive note, innovation features strongly - from a landmark trans-Tasman valuation standard to new housing solutions, Māori-led research, and compact sawmilling technology. Rounding out the issue, safety, sustainability and global perspectives explore fatigue risks, improving environmental indicators, and fresh thinking on forest management in Canada. Finally, Environmental Forestry 2026 event photos are now online, and WoodTECH 2026’s super early bird ends today. Read these stories and more in this week’s issue of Friday Offcuts.
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This week we have for you:
Kaitāia timber mills may close with loss of hundreds of jobs
One of Kaitāia's biggest employers could be shut down with the
loss of hundreds of jobs if a buyer can't be found by the mills'
Japanese owners. Juken New Zealand owns two timber mills
in the Far North town, one producing sawn timber, the other a Triboard
product used in construction.High costs - power especially - have long cast a shadow over the future of the two mills, but Juken NZ has now signalled its intention to exit the Far North town of about 6000 people. The news has been greeted with dismay in Kaitāia, a town with few other employment options. Far North Mayor Moko Tepania said news of the mills' possible sale or closure would be concerning for employees, their whānau and the wider Kaitāia community. "Given the scale of the potential economic impact, we'll be advocating strongly for government involvement. Councils can't advocate for this alone, we need all partners at the table." More >> Source: RNZ Related: JNL business update Statement from Mr Hisayuki Tsuboi, Managing Director, Juken New Zealand Ltd. “Juken New Zealand has today begun a formal consultation process regarding the future of its Northland Mill and Triboard Mill in Kaitaia. This reflects a combination of ongoing structural and market pressures affecting these operations, including declining demand in key export markets and increasing operating costs. We have been working over several years to improve financial performance at these sites, including increasing production and exploring new markets. Despite these efforts, we have not been able to return the mills to a sustainable footing under their current operating model. As part of this process, we are exploring whether the mills can continue operating under a different structure, including a potential sale or joint venture. We are taking the mills to market to assess whether there is interest from potential buyers. More >> Source & image credit: JNL Deferral of export cost recovery welcomed by forestry sector
AFPA has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision today
to defer the phased transition to full cost recovery for export
regulatory services for one year until 1 July 2027. The
Government has delayed the phased transition, which was due to begin
from 1 July 2026, in the wake of global uncertainty and rising costs,
including soaring fuel prices.AFPA Chief Executive Officer Diana Hallam said: “In these challenging and uncertain times, we sincerely thank the Government for delaying the export regulatory functions, which will help to ease growing pressures on Australia’s forest products sector. “We acknowledge this will provide some relief over the next year to an industry faced with significant ongoing challenges, including rising input costs, surging timber imports, a cut in tariffs from our major competitors in the European Union, a stagnant housing market and the impact of the Commonwealth’s recent EPBC Act reforms. “This industry operates in globally competitive commodity and value-added markets, so any form of short-term relief is appreciated and will provide immediate benefits for our sector." This will also mean in 12 months time, industry will face a faster two-year implementation period, instead of three, which will still see more than a doubling of export costs for many companies. which will, along with all the other factors, potentially impact their future viability. There are significant and ongoing increases in costs that the government is seeking to recover and it will be critical that the government develops a lean, efficient, transparent and stable regulatory system for exporters, including the timber industry, to remain competitive. “In our submission to the Government on draft export Cost Recovery Implementation Statements (CRIS), we highlighted that cost recovery is an established policy framework and industry is required to contribute. However, we believe these changes could significantly impact our export market, along with other agricultural commodities, and affect Australia’s balance of trade and the national economy," said Diana Hallam. The complexity and scale of the proposed changes mean that industry should have the opportunity to co-design the implementation of a model to report true costs transparently. More >> Source: APFA Forestry industry unsure if it's included in NZ national fuel plan
A forestry group wants the industry to be listed as critical in
the government's national fuel plan, saying it's crucial to regional
economies and supports other key sectors. The plan lists
agriculture as a critical customer for fuel that would be prioritised
under a fuel supply crisis, but does not specifically mention the
forestry industry.Forest Owners Association chief executive Elizabeth Heeg told Morning Report on Tuesday there was concern in the industry that it was not specifically noted in the plan. "The guidance that came out with the revised fuel plan on Friday did say that it's food supply and primary production that would be prioritised during time-critical periods, but we're just looking for assurance that forestry is included in that primary production." She pointed to time-critical work such as clearing trees felled in storms before they attracted fungus, ruining their usability as timber. More >> Source: RNZ Related: NZ Fuel plan to protect economy amid disruption The Government has released updates to the National Fuel Plan to respond to fuel supply uncertainty driven by the conflict in the Middle East, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones say. “While there is currently no need for fuel restrictions, the public can be assured that the Government is planning carefully, acting early and making sure New Zealand is well positioned to respond, whatever the global environment brings,” Nicola Willis says. “Ensuring New Zealand has the fuel we need to protect jobs, livelihoods and the wider economy is our first priority in managing the impact of global fuel disruption. “The updates released today give practical effect to the National Fuel Plan established in 2024 and reflect the specific potential risks New Zealand could face as a result of major fuel disruption driven by the conflict in the Middle East.” The plan outlines four clear phases that respond proportionately to the risks to New Zealand’s fuel security. These phases are assessed separately for petrol, diesel and jet fuel to reflect their different functions and challenges. More >> Source: NZ Government  Landmark forest valuation standard launched
The first joint Australia and New Zealand Forest Valuation
Standard was launched at the 2026 Forest Valuation Summit this week in
Melbourne, marking a watershed moment for forest valuation and
setting a new benchmark for how forest assets are assessed, reported and
understood.The launch, marked by a cake cutting by Dr Michelle Freeman (President of Forestry Australia) and James Treadwell (President of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry), is the culmination of nearly a decade’s work to consolidate separate country-level standards into a single trans-Tasman framework for plantation and native forests. Convenor of the Forestry Australia Valuation Committee Keith Lamb said: “We are proud to celebrate the launch of the new ANZ Forest Valuation. The new standard reflects the latest thinking and best practice in forest valuation across both countries.” Dr Michelle Freeman said the launch represented a significant milestone for forestry, both as a profession and as an asset class. “The merging of the separate country-level standards held by Forestry Australia and New Zealand Institute of Forestry is a significant milestone. It reflects the strength and value of ongoing collaboration and partnership between our countries, our industries and professional organisations." Importantly, while the ANZ Forest Valuation Standard is intended to address common interests of our national forest industries, it is flexible enough to allow for differences. The Standard will be an evolving tool to help shape the forest sector’s future and support continued innovation and improvement, as markets, reporting expectations, and sustainability considerations continue to evolve. James Treadwell said the new Standard reflected more than three decades of professional commitment. “Our members have contributed voluntary time and expertise to forest valuation standards for more than three decades,” he said. “This joint Australia and New Zealand Forest Valuation Standard is an important step forward. It reflects the strong professional relationship between the New Zealand Institute of Forestry and Forestry Australia and provides a consistent framework which will strengthen valuation practice across both countries.” More >> Source & image credit: Forestry Australia Industry backs Australia's fuel excise relief
The Australian Trucking Association has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it will halve fuel tax and reduce the road user charge on the fuel used in trucks on the road to zero. ATA Chair Mark Parry said the decision would deliver immediate tax relief to Australia’s trucking businesses.“Trucking businesses will save 26.3 cents per litre at the pump when they fill up. Their fuel tax credits will increase from 20.2 to 26.3 cents per litre, which they’ll get as usual after they lodge their business activity statement at the end of the month or quarter,” Mr Parry said. “In total, the decision will save trucking operators 32.4 cents per litre. It is the lifeline that small trucking businesses need. “Meanwhile, the Senate is debating the Government’s bill to empower the Fair Work Commission to make urgent fuel price orders that will enable operators to pass their increased fuel costs along the supply chain. The ATA urges the Senate to pass the bill as it stands. “These two measures are the outcome of strong and effective advocacy from the ATA and its member associations. I thank and congratulate them on their commitment to getting results for trucking businesses everywhere,” he said. The removal of the road user charge and the fairer fuel bill are two of the four elements in the ATA’s plan to support trucking businesses. More >> Source: Australian Trucking Association Related: Forestry backs fuel excise relief The Tasmanian Forest Products Association (TFPA) has backed calls from the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for urgent fuel excise relief; warning escalating fuel costs are now threatening the continuity of forestry operations across Tasmania. TFPA Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said the industry is already under acute pressure, with fuel impacting every stage of harvesting, haulage and processing. “We strongly support the united call from Tasmanian industry for urgent action on fuel costs,” Mr Steel said. “This is about protecting the resilience of the entire Tasmanian economy.” Mr Steel said the forestry industry must be recognised as an essential service. “Forestry underpins supply chains that Tasmanians rely on every day, from housing and construction to food production and freight,” he said. “Keeping this sector moving efficiently is critical to keeping Tasmania moving.” He said TFPA has raised these concerns through the Premier’s Fuel Security Industry Briefings, warning pressures are escalating. “If forestry slows materially, or even pauses, the impacts will be immediate and cascading,” Mr Steel said. More >> Source: Tasmanian Forest Products Association NZ log market - March 2026 review
March At Wharf Gate (AWG) prices at New Zealand ports
increased modestly, with gains of approximately NZD 2 per JASm³
across most ports. Higher CFR log prices in China have offset rising
shipping costs.  Rethinking forest management: The future of BC forestryHear how Canada are changing public opinion of the forestry industry. Host Dallas Smith sits down with Shannon Janzen, former Vice President at Western Forest Products and a key contributor to the recent independent report, From Conflict to Care: BC’s Forest Future, for a thoughtful conversation on the challenges and future of British Columbia’s forestry sector.Drawing on a range of experience in the forestry sector, Shannon shares her perspective on the structural barriers impacting the industry today. She also explores lessons learned from her work as a consultant supporting Indigenous communities in business development, highlighting the growing importance of collaboration between Nations and the opportunity to rethink forest management with respect to the unique challenges faced by different regions across B.C. Dallas and Shannon also explore the background and some of the key findings of the recent report, highlighting the need to find opportunities amidst the challenges and the importance of building trusting relationships as a prerequisite for certainty and sustainability. Listeners will gain insight into the importance of regional decision-making, the limitations of outdated legislation, and the need to incorporate modern technology into management approaches. Source: Rez Dog Walkers Easter travel, fatigue and daylight saving collide
Easter travel, disrupted sleep and shifting daylight hours are
set to collide in a perfect storm on New Zealand roads this long weekend
- a period already associated with heightened road trauma.Over the past three years, New Zealand’s Easter road toll has remained too high, with five deaths recorded over Easter 2025, nine in 2024 and ten in 2023. Each represents a family waiting for someone who never came home - underscoring the ongoing risk as more drivers take to the roads for extended holiday travel. While the daylight saving time change is often associated with gaining an hour of sleep, fatigue experts warn that the shift comes with a darker side: disrupting circadian rhythms, altering alertness patterns, and affecting driver performance at exactly the time traffic volumes increase. Katrina Aubrey, AutoSense Fatigue and Sleep Specialist, says this year’s timing creates a convergence of risk factors for both drivers at work and those heading away with family and friends. “Fatigue doesn’t take holidays - and neither does human physiology. This Easter, increased traffic, long-distance travel and disrupted routines are colliding with a daylight saving shift. Even though we technically gain an hour, our body clocks don’t reset overnight. For many drivers, it can take up to a week, sometimes two, for alertness and sleep patterns to stabilise again.” AutoSense data highlights the prevalence of fatigue risk on New Zealand roads. Analysis from nearly 6,000 Guardian by Seeing Machines cameras installed in commercial vehicles across the country recorded 19,336 human-verified fatigue events and 51,597 distraction events in a 12-month period - prompting an average of 53 driver wake-up interventions every day. Aubrey says this provides a baseline picture of fatigue risk that may be amplified during periods of increased travel. “These figures show fatigue is already present every day on New Zealand roads. When you factor in longer journeys, altered routines, and heavier traffic over Easter, the risk of fatigue-related incidents increases. For some, Easter travel follows a demanding work week, while for others it means early departures, late returns or unfamiliar routes. When these factors collide with circadian disruption, even brief lapses in attention can carry serious consequences.” The Guardian data also highlights the broader nature of distraction risk. Mobile phone use accounted for 14,575 distraction events - around 28 percent - while the remaining 72 percent were linked to other in-cab distractions including adjusting music, navigation or looking away from the road. Aubrey says this reinforces the importance of managing both fatigue and distraction during peak travel periods. “Fatigue and distraction often go hand-in-hand. When drivers are tired, their ability to manage competing demands reduces. Holiday travel can increase cognitive load - unfamiliar routes, heavier traffic and time pressure - all of which can increase risk.” More >> Source & image credit: AutoSense  Funding a tribute to Māori collaboration focus
A government funding announcement this week has recognised the
Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao’s focus on supporting
and advancing Māori research.Seven of its research programmes – spanning land, plant, food and forestry scientific areas – have each received $350,000 in the latest round of the 2026 Rangapū Rangahau round of the He Ara Whakahihiko Capability Fund. The Rangapū Rangahau Fund supports collaborative, two-year projects aimed at building Māori research capability and durable partnerships between Māori-facing organisations and the wider science, innovation and technology (SI&T) system – with a focus on economic and environmental outcomes. Projects are expected to align with mātauranga Māori, taiao (environmental guardianship) and indigenous innovation principles. Bioeconomy Science Institute Chief Indigenous Innovation and Partnerships Officer Stacey Whitiora says the funding announcement recognises the organisation’s commitment to strengthening Aotearoa New Zealand’s Māori research capability and building new connections to help advance science that benefits all New Zealanders. “Our Māori name – Maiangi Taiao – reflects our commitment to working alongside Māori, and to science that creates enduring opportunities for future generations. Māori hold a wealth of knowledge about our environment and have a strong connection to the land,” she says. “Their insights are integral to our research, so continuing to develop meaningful partnerships with Māori is a priority for us.” From farming to bioactives: Diversifying Wharekauri land use opportunities Working in partnership with the Maipito Hough Whānau Trust, this project investigates the potential of Tarahina – a native plant abundant in the Chatham Islands (Wharekauri) – for use in natural bioactives such as plant-based antimicrobials and antioxidants. Global interest in natural bioactives is growing but scientific knowledge of Tarahina is limited and the research will explore whether it could support a whānau-led value chain. Tohe te Tohe – using water sensor networks to inform toheroa management practice We are partnering with Te Runanga o Te Rarawa and the hapū and iwi of Te Oneroa a Tōhe | Ninety Mile Beach to help restore Toheroa (a native clam and Ngā Iwi of Te Hiku ō Te Ika kaimoana taonga species) at numbers not seen since the early 1900s. Understanding how freshwater moves through and over the land to reach the ocean will inform wider discussions on water allocation and movement – to improve decisions that affect coastal and groundwater-dependent industries, support sustainable Enhancing the consistency, quality and effectiveness of high-value indigenous bioactive products Global demand for functional ingredients and wellness solutions is rising. This presents a major opportunity for Māori landowners, who can create high-value products by leveraging traditional knowledge and the bioactive properties of indigenous plants. We have partnered with Wakatū Incorporation to develop a reproducible and scalable process that will optimise the potency, safety, and quality of products containing kawakawa and horopito. More >> Source & image credit: Bioeconomy Science Institute New timber research to address Australia’s housing challenge
As Australia faces mounting housing affordability and supply pressures,
ARC Advance Timber Hub Chief Investigator, Associate Professor Joe
Gattas from the University of Queensland’s School of Civil
Engineering is leading a new four‑year national research project
exploring how underutilised timber resources could help deliver more
affordable, sustainable housing solutions.This research project is funded by the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) Centre for Sustainable Futures (University of the Sunshine Coast). It aims to unlock new value from Australia’s wood fibre while supporting the delivery of low‑cost, prefabricated buildings. Titled Bio-based Construction Systems for Small-Footprint Dwellings and Multifunctional Outbuildings. This project builds on earlier bio-based housing research (see ARC Advance Timber Hub Research Node: Value-Chain Innovation & News: ARC Advance Timber Hub Investigators Pioneer Disaster-Proof Timber-Cardboard Housing, Tackling Climate Crisis, and Reducing Bio Waste in NSW) and will develop innovative construction systems for tiny homes, secondary dwellings, and multifunctional outbuildings. “By rethinking how we use Australia’s existing timber and wood by-products, this project aims to demonstrate that affordable housing solutions can be delivered using locally sourced, low‑embodied‑carbon materials,” Associate Professor Gattas said. “Our focus is on practical, adaptable construction systems that maximise value from underutilised resources, support regional supply chains, and respond to the rapidly growing demand for small-footprint and prefabricated buildings.” Delivered through a collaboration of university, industry, and government partners, the initiative seeks to strengthen Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability, support regional economies, and contribute to a more sustainable and affordable future for the built environment. More >> Source: Advance Timber Hub Image: UniSC  Sawmilling at scale: A different path forward
For many smaller mills, the question is no longer how to grow,
but rather, whether they will survive. Rising costs, labor shortages,
and unstable supply chains are forcing operators to rethink long-standing production models. In this context, the Sawbox,
developed by Springer, is not just a conventional upgrade but a response
to a fundamental industry challenge.Instead of expanding traditional mill layouts, the Sawbox integrates the entire log-to-lumber process into a compact system. Debarking, scanning, optimization, cutting, sorting, and stacking are combined into a continuous flow within a footprint of roughly 1,000–1,500 square meters. Achieving this required more than miniaturization; it demanded a complete rethinking of process interaction and system architecture. One of the central development challenges was maintaining cutting precision under high levels of automation. The system relies on real-time coordination between 3D log scanning, optimization software, and cutting units, such as chipper heads, band saw, and rip saws. These components execute decisions in a single pass. Without the buffer of multiple process stages, every component must perform consistently, even when handling mixed log qualities and diameters. This level of integration places particular emphasis on the reliability of automation. With the concept designed around centralized control, a single operator can oversee the entire process. For developers, this meant ensuring stable performance across all process steps, from infeed to robotic stacking, under real-world variability. This complexity is reflected in the development approach. The Sawbox was designed, manufactured, and tested in-house before being delivered to the first customer, which allowed engineers to refine the system's behavior under controlled conditions. Early results indicate yields of around 70–75%, suggesting that tightly integrated optimization can directly improve resource efficiency. The Sawbox's relevance becomes clearer when viewed through the lens of its intended users. Sawmills, lumber construction companies, wood processing businesses, forest cooperatives, and forest enterprises alike face a similar challenge: how to remain competitive without exceeding practical limits. In one early case, a customer was faced with a difficult decision: either close a small, long-established sawmill or invest in a new technology for the next generation. The Sawbox offered a third option: retaining local production while transitioning to a more automated, space-efficient model. Importantly, the concept is not designed to replace high-capacity industrial sawmills but rather to complement them in a different operational niche. By enabling companies to process their own logs, the Sawbox reduces their dependence on external suppliers and supports more localized, resilient production strategies. Thus, the Sawbox shifts the central question for the industry from how large a sawmill needs to be to how intelligently it can operate. More >> Source & image credit: Springer  Forced to sell cattle to pay for fuel
A shocking case on the NSW Mid North Coast has laid bare the human and economic toll of the crisis, with a multi-generational timber and transport business in Bulahdelah forced to sell cattle simply to pay its fuel bill.The Dorney family—one of the region’s largest employers, responsible for more than 10 per cent of local jobs—has seen its monthly diesel costs skyrocket from around $220,000 to more than $400 000 in a matter of weeks. With diesel prices already exceeding $3.50 per litre and warnings of a potential spike to $8.00, the situation is rapidly becoming unsustainable. To keep their fleet of 25 timber trucks on the road, the family is now liquidating assets, including livestock, in a desperate attempt to stay afloat. Despite the escalating crisis, the Albanese and the Minns Governments have failed to provide immediate, targeted relief for fuel-intensive industries. Instead, they continues to benefit from rising fuel prices through increased GST and fuel excise revenue—effectively increasing tax revenue while regional businesses struggle to survive. Regional businesses are calling on both Governments to urgently reduce fuel excise to prevent further cost escalation – as the Coalition did immediately after price spikes from the Ukraine war and to address State contract lag mechanisms that prevent timely cost recovery Maree McCaskill, Chief Executive Officer of Timber NSW, said the consequences of government inaction are already flowing through the supply chain. ‘Fuel is not something our industry can control, and the costs are now moving through every part of the timber and construction supply chain,’ Ms McCaskill said. ‘This example is not just a business under pressure—this is a community under threat. The hardwood sector is doing everything it can to hold the line on prices, but there is only so much that can be absorbed before it impacts builders, homebuyers and regional jobs.’ The consequences are already being felt across the economy. Timber mills are beginning to turn away supply, contractors are unable to recover fuel costs due to rigid contract structures, and the price of building materials is expected to rise—further exacerbating Australia’s housing crisis. This is a supply chain emergency in the making,’ said Maree. ‘When transport operators can no longer afford to move timber, the impacts ripple through construction, manufacturing, and ultimately into the cost of housing for everyday Australians.’ Failure to act risks widespread business closures, job losses, and further economic strain on already struggling communities. Source: Timber NSW Image credit: Dorney family Australia’s forests doing better - an environmental scorecard
Good rainfall across much of Australia in the past year has kept
the vegetation green and rivers flowing. For the fifth year in a row,
our national environment scorecard for Australia’s landscapes in
2025 rated them as “above average”.Queensland had an exceptionally wet year. The Channel Country river systems in southwest Queensland flooded spectacularly, sending water surging toward Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre in South Australia. The biggest floods in at least 15 years, this flush of water triggered fish breeding and the arrival of waterbirds from across the continent. New detailed data on native forest loss and gain — a first in this year’s report — showed forest loss has declined for five consecutive years, with tree cover increasing nationally. The amount of land cleared for grazing and native forest logging continued to fall. Vegetation canopy area and soil surface protection against erosion was at near record levels. And Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions fell by 1.9%, even as the economy grew 2.6% and the population by 1.5%. More >> Source: The Conversation --(2022)2.jpg) Jobs
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And one to end the week on... The old photograph
Paddy took 2 stuffed dogs to the ‘Antiques Roadshow’. “Ooh!” said the presenter, “This is a very rare set, produced by the celebrated Johns Brothers taxidermists who operated in London at the turn of last century. Do you have any idea what they would fetch if they were in good condition?” “…Sticks?” Paddy replied. And, remember, if you're in New Zealand - Daylight Savings ends this Sunday 5 April at 3am, when the clocks go back 1 hour. In Australia, some states recognise Daylight Savings and some don't - so I'll let let you figure that out. I've got a great daylight savings joke somewhere... I'll tell you in an hour. And we wish you a HOPPY HAPPY EASTER :-)  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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Curious when I found two black-and-white negatives in a drawer, I had them made into prints. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were of a younger, slimmer me, taken on one of my first dates with my husband.