More than NZ$350m worth of timber products were imported by New Zealand in the year to June 30, making it “almost impossible” for the domestic industry to compete.
The Specialty Timber Council’s Roger May said the imports, which have almost doubled since 1999, did not have the same high sustainability standards as domestic timber, making it nearly impossible for New Zealand growers, suppliers and manufacturers to compete.
Mr May called on the government to introduce measures requiring imported wood to match the sustainability requirements of domestic timber.
His comments, which preceded a two-day sustainable procurement conference in Wellington, follow a study earlier this year which found that few imported products arrive in New Zealand with proper sustainability credentials.
