| 63 Passionate advocates for NZ timber Richard Loader NZTIF works with members on issues around compliance, standards, submissions, legislation, audits and regulation. FORESTRY NZ Timber Industry Federation New Zealand’s timber industry is an integral part of the economy with direct linkages to many other economic activities such as building and construction, horticulture, agriculture, infrastructure, furniture and joinery, packaging and a wide range of export businesses. The industry provides around 10,000 jobs, mostly in rural areas, and earns up to $1 billion in export revenue alone. Timber is the primary material used in 95 percent of home builds, with an increasing awareness of its value in commercial buildings. The use of timber in commercial buildings often means less waste going to landfill. The New Zealand Timber Industry Federation (NZTIF) is the nimble, agile and responsive champion for New Zealand timber and wood products. NZTIF works tirelessly to ensure that New Zealand’s domestic sawmilling sector can continue to be a vibrant industry producing top quality and environmentally superior wood products for domestic use and for export. NZTIF’s roots go back to 1917 and the organisation has continuously advocated for and promoted New Zealand’s timber industry to government and to the public including those industries for whom timber is a vital material. Focused on the important issues that affect members around compliance, standards, submissions, legislation, audits and regulation, NZTIF connects, simplifies and curates the information that helps New Zealand sawmillers survive and thrive in the business and regulatory environment. Reflecting on the many benefits of New Zealand timber, Kevin Hing, NZTIF’s CEO says New Zealand timber embodies significant amounts of carbon as distinct from other building materials that are produced from processes that emit carbon into the atmosphere. “Being milled from renewable plantation forestry it is sustainable, and is more likely to be recycled or reused than to be dumped in land fills. “It is a strong but lightweight, safe and easy to use natural material and a proven performer during seismic events, as we saw in both the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes when wooden structures suffered far less damage than other structures. “Timber has excellent thermal and insulation properties, and is a traditional material backed by innovative research and development by institutes such as Scion and Canterbury University. New Zealand sourced timber is verifiable for compliance with internationally recognised certification programmes in terms of wood legality.” Timber is the go-to product for a wide range of applications that could be substituted for materials and products with very high emissions profiles, at a time when there is increasing concern about carbon emissions and climate change. Recent technical innovations have broadened this range of applications and NZTIF expect that the timber industry will play a very major role in the development of New Zealand’s move towards an economy that is more sustainable and based on bio mass. “We see the timber industry being a key provider of critical inputs into products such as bio materials, bio fuels and other bio based technologies — some of which have not even been developed yet — that will be central to a resilient and sustainable future,” says Kevin. Of more immediate interest, the New Zealand sawmilling industry is well placed to support government policies that are focused on reducing New Zealand’s carbon footprint including government procurement programmes that target net zero emissions and waste minimisation goals. NZTIF will continue to advocate for and support its members being in a position to develop their businesses in line with these developments and goals. “We are committed to the ongoing development of New Zealand’s timber industry and its contribution to a resilient economy based upon a sustainable resource. “We look forward to continuing to be a supplier of sustainable products into valuable export markets.” “We are committed to the ongoing development of New Zealand’s timber industry and its contribution to a resilient economy based upon a sustainable resource.” Quality Roundwood Suppliers
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