Friday Offcuts – 10 October 2025
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to this week’s edition of Friday Offcuts.While New Zealand Forestry Minister Todd McClay celebrated record exports of NZ$6.3 billion, the WPMA has called new government procurement rules a “missed opportunity” for local timber. In brighter news, a NZ$42.8 million Biodiscovery Platform promises to boost New Zealand’s growing bioeconomy sector. Across the Tasman, rising energy costs for manufacturers remain in focus, with Australia’s last paper mill facing fresh challenges. In NSW, A$5 million in relief funding has been announced for businesses affected by the Great Koala National Park and forestry shutdown, though support for local mills is still being finalised. In technology, we feature Planet’s next-generation Owl satellites, LiDAR mapping revealing trees up to 81 metres tall, and new safety tools for log haulage. The ForestTECH 2025 programmes are out now - plus, it’s the final chance to register for Residues2Revenues 2025 and Bioeconomy Innovations 2025. Read these stories and more in another packed edition of Friday Offcuts.
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This week we have for you:
Minister's speech to WPMA national conference
Speech by the Hon Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of
Forestry, at the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of New
Zealand 2025 National Conference.Good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today I want to begin by acknowledging the leadership of Mark Ross and Don Hammond, and the Association’s continued commitment to advancing New Zealand’s wood processing sector. Your Value-Added Wood Exports Growth Acceleration Plan is a bold and strategic blueprint — one that reflects the ambition and clarity of purpose this industry is known for. I also wish to recognise the working group behind the plan’s development. Your efforts serve the more than 42,000 New Zealanders employed across forestry, logging, wood production, and processing — a workforce larger than the urban population of Gisborne. That fact alone underscores the scale and significance of this sector to our national economy. Forestry and wood processing are not just economic drivers — they are foundational to the prosperity of regional New Zealand. In my own Rotorua electorate and across the country, I see firsthand how thriving businesses in this sector sustain communities, create jobs, and foster innovation. Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities We are all aware of the challenges confronting the sector. Plant closures, high energy costs, soft domestic demand, and tariff uncertainty are placing pressure on businesses. These issues are real, and I’ve heard them directly from many of you. But this industry is resilient. Your commitment to long-term prosperity is evident in the conversations taking place at this very conference. It is through forums like this — where expertise, experience, and vision converge — that we shape the path forward. The sector’s performance last year speaks volumes. Forestry and wood processing exports rose 9% to $6.3 billion—an increase of $500 million. For the first time, processed wood exports exceeded $1 billion, reaching $1.1 billion—a 27% increase. These are not just numbers; they are signals of momentum and capability. Looking ahead, the global trading environment and the projected softwood deficit present significant opportunities. With coordinated effort between industry and Government, New Zealand is well-positioned to lead. Your growth plan aligns with the Government’s objective to double export value over the next decade. It sets out a clear pathway and places business leadership at the centre of accelerating high-value exports. This is a shared vision — one that focuses on processing more forest products onshore to maximise returns and build resilience. Government Support for Sector Growth Currently, around 60% of our wood exports are unprocessed. That will remain a vital part of our export mix. But New Zealand is increasingly recognised for its innovation and its ability to deliver high-value food and fibre products. The world demands quality — and we are ready to supply it. The $47 million Wood Processing Growth Fund is a key enabler. It supports the development of high-value, long-lived wood products — structural timber, furniture, fencing, and landscaping. It helps projects move from concept to execution, creates employment, and strengthens the sector’s capacity. To date, $11.5 million has been committed to 24 projects nationwide. These investments are not just commercial—they are community-building. Supporting Kiwi businesses means supporting the regions they call home. More >> Source: Beehive The future of Australia's last paper mill - the cost of electricityAustralia's last paper mill and supplier of newsprint remains locked in negotiations for power security, with Tuesday's meeting to resolve an impasse over costs concluding with no outcome.As one of Tasmania's major industrials, the Boyer pulp and paper mill in New Norfolk is also one of the state's largest power users. Aurora Energy is seeking a $7 million bank guarantee to cover energy costs for the mill as it looks to electrify and move away from its coal-powered boilers, a figure Boyer owner David Marriner has labelled "obscene". Melbourne businessman David Marriner, who purchased the paper mill in February, said the proposal was unreasonable. "It's just an insane, an obscene request," Mr Marriner said. The Boyer Mill, which is currently Tasmania's fourth-largest carbon emitter, is working to convert its coal boilers to electric after years of energy concerns. More >> Source: ABC ForestTech 2025 conference – working programme released
We are pleased to release the working programmes for both the New Zealand
and Australian ForestTECH 2025 events. This well-established forest
management technology conference series is highly rated by forest
managers, applied forest technology specialists and tree crop and forest
establishment managers from across Australasia. The ForestTECH 2025 conference series provides a valuable, and independent platform, showcasing new and emerging technologies in remote sensing, data capture, inventory management and precision silviculture. The event draws on the strong links between applied research providers and industry leaders ensures the most up-to-date technology applications form part of the speakers’ programmes each year. International technology providers are always willing to provide insights for forest managers on how their latest applications can bring improved crop results and better outcomes for forest management focused on radiata pine and related Southern Hemisphere production forest species. For our November 2025 conference series includes presentations on:
This applied technology event specifically designed and delivered by practical ‘boots-on-the-ground/drone in the air’ foresters is the ‘must-attend’ technology event for forest resource managers, remote sensing, GIS and mapping specialists, inventory foresters The event dates are 18-19 November 2025, Rotorua, New Zealand and 25-26 November 2025, Melbourne, Australia. Click here to view the working programmes. Please note that both programmes are subject to change. Register now to get early-bird rates. For more information, contact Gordon Thomson on (+64) 27 275 8022 or by email to Gordon.thomson@innovatek.co.nz. More >> Source: FIEA  New Govt procurement rules - a missed opportunity for timber
New rules announced this week, that come into effect on the 1
December, require Government agencies to apply a minimum of a 10 per
cent ‘economic benefit to New Zealand’ on every government
procurement decision. This, along with awarding construction
contracts under $9 million to domestic businesses, are welcome and will
potentially provide new openings for greater use of domestically
produced timber.But, the benefits of these new rules to the wood processing sector in increasing sales of wood products is not certain, with other building materials and services also competing for the10 per cent and sub $9 million government contracts. ‘A directive in the new rules, like with wool, to government agencies to use locally produced wood where practical in the construction and refurbishment of their buildings is what we need to genuinely grow domestic timber and lumber sales, and to stop the significant job losses in our small communities due to the recent closures of wood processing mills’, said Mark Ross, Chief Executive of the Wood Processing and Manufacturing Association (WPMA). ‘With mills in our regions shutting down and a flat domestic market, the Government has overlooked a clear means to leverage its spending in these new rules to provide direct support to boost the wood processing sector,’ said Ross ‘Wood products are not only renewable but have strong economic benefits in supporting rural communities.’ New Zealand produced wood, unlike concrete and steel, is a natural sustainable product for building and construction. It is sourced locally, creates regional employment for over 30,000 New Zealanders, is cost-competitive and generates wood chips and sawdust, which are valuable by-products in the manufacture of biofuels and for supplying our bioeconomy with raw materials. ‘Wooden products create safer, healthier and more sustainable environments for workers and families,’ Ross said, ‘the sector contributed $7.2 billion to the economy in the financial year ending 2024 from domestic sales and from exporting value-added wood products and their derivatives, such as pulp and paper. ‘Hence, our disappointment with this missed opportunity that sees wood taking a back seat to wool and woollen products.’ WPMA will now work with our members and government to assess future options for greater use of wood products in government procurement decisions, such as aligning the wool directive with wood, as a way to lift the fortunes of the wood processing sector in New Zealand. Source: Wood Processing and Manufacturing Association (WPMA)  Strengthening safety management systems
The forest industry has a longstanding history of innovating
safety improvements in log haulage and the newly registered Log Haulage
Code (LHC) is another contribution that strengthens forest safety
management systems.“Funded by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) through their Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) program and supported by the Australian Government, we are developing an online tool and guidance materials to support businesses to maintain compliance with work health and safety regulations of the LHC and the Master Code,” says Tim Lester, CEO, Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA). NHVR CEO Nicole Rosie said, “The NHVR was pleased to release the LHC after working closely with AFCA and other critical stakeholders." AFCA’s online tool and guidance materials will support industry in implementing the guidance outlined in the LHC, maximising compliance and reducing transport risk. The NHVR is proud to continue investing in innovative projects through our HVSI program that are making a tangible improvement to safety. AFCA Project Manager Dionne Olsen explains, “In addition to supporting businesses to assess their safety systems to incorporate the codes as required, the consultation sessions offer an opportunity for everyone in the Chain of Responsibility to collaboratively discuss the commercial implications and requirements of the codes. “How the codes are interpreted and applied needs to be an open discussion. We are also fortunate to have an industry reference group guiding the project who again are contributing their time and expertise to strengthen safety outcomes for the industry,” says Ms Olsen. AFCA is delivering national in person and online consultation sessions to ensure everyone across the supply chain has an opportunity to participate and provide input. AFCA is committed to developing practical tools and guidance that promotes safe forestry operations for their members and the industry. For more information or to provide input, please contact the project team. Source: Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA)  BSI to lead NZ$42 million biodiscovery platform
A new funding platform, led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute,
will support the discovery and development of bio-based products from
Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna.Hon Dr Shane Reti, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, announced the Biodiscovery Platform at the Bioeconomy Science Institute’s Mt Albert Research Centre in Auckland on Saturday, 4 October 2025. The Government is investing $42.8 million in the platform over seven years. The Bioeconomy Science Institute will bring together researchers, industry and Māori enterprise to set priorities for the platform, explore research partnerships and provide market analysis to guide high-impact investments in bio-based pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, functional foods, and advanced materials. “This is a really exciting moment for the Bioeconomy Science Institute. There’s clear opportunities to partner with Māori to create impact and drive growth for New Zealand through the discovery and development of new bio-based products, which this platform will enable,” says Bioeconomy Science Institute Chief Executive Mark Piper. “Mānuka honey, for example, is a globally-recognised example of a premium export with proven bioactive benefits, and we believe there are other native species with unique properties that have big potential.” The institute's expertise in bioactives has already driven discoveries. In a recent project led by a consortium of three iwi in collaboration with industry, our researchers investigated the small indigenous liverwort plant known as wairuakohu (Radula marginata), revealing that the plant produces compounds similar to those found in cannabis, showing real potential for future applications. “We’ve also partnered with Māori iwi, hapū and whānau entities to explore bioactive compounds in other taonga plant species including mānuka, kānuka, and mamaku, and the Biodiscovery Platform will support the expansion of this work,” says Piper. “A critical part of this journey is how we work with Māori. At the Bioeconomy Science Institute we are actively developing principles for engaging with taonga species and mātauranga Māori. Our approach is to foster economic opportunities through respectful and collaborative partnerships with tangata whenua, commercial partners, and research communities across New Zealand.” You can read the official announcement here. Source: Bioeconomy Science Institute .jpg) Forest certification in Australia: Driving responsible management
Australia’s forestry sector has reached a major
sustainability milestone and a new FWPA-commissioned report highlights
why it matters for both industry and consumers.The report, Forest Certification in Australia: Driving Responsible Management and Consumer Confidence, prepared by Indufor, shows how the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and Responsible Wood (endorsed by PEFC) certification schemes have become cornerstones of sustainable forest management. Key insights:
More >> Source: FWPA SnapSTAT - The strongest entrepreneurial countries The Nations With The Strongest Entrepreneurial Mindsets Revealed -- Remitly conducted a global study using Angela Duckworth's 'Grit Scale' to reveal the world’s most entrepreneurial nations. South Africa tops the study, with an average ‘grit’ score of 46.18, followed by the UK (42.54) and Ireland (42.17). The USA features in the top 10, ranking in sixth place globally with a score of 40.96. Source: Remitly.com
A$5m in support for businesses downstream of impacted timber mills
The Minns Labor Government is providing $5 million in funding to support downstream businesses who have been impacted by the moratorium on timber harvesting within the proposed boundary of the Great Koala National Park.The new Forestry Industry Supply Chain Program will offer help of up to $100,000 to a downstream business that relied on impacted timber mills so they can meet increased operating costs. The eligible businesses usually source their hardwood or wood by-products from one of the impacted sawmills. They will now be able to apply for assistance to cover the cost differences of sourcing similar products from a new supplier, including for an increase in freight costs. Downstream businesses could include specialised, operations that process timber into finished or semi-finished goods, such as furniture manufacturers. Eligible businesses could also include businesses that use sawdust for biomass energy generation, or use eligible wood by-products such as wood chip, wood shavings, and sawdust. The NSW Government is working closely with the impacted mills businesses, workers and the broader industry on immediate costs and impacts, while progressing their long-term options and ensuring appropriate support for workers. Immediate support already being offered to affected workers and their families includes:
The NSW Rural Assistance Authority is administering the Forestry Industry Supply Chain Program. Applications will open on Tuesday 7 October 2025 and close on 8 December 2025, or when available funding is allocated. For further information about the Forestry Industry Supply Chain Support Program, including eligibility and guidelines, go to www.nsw.gov.au/greatkoalanationalpark Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said: “Our Government’s priority has been supporting the impacted mills and their workers, and now we have more details on those businesses operating downstream of the mills we have been able to develop this program of support for them. “When we announced the proposed boundaries and moratorium for the new park we stated we would provide financial assistance to impacted businesses and this supply chain support program is a demonstration of that occurring. Minister for Small Business and Minister for North Coast, Janelle Saffin said: “We are delivering on our election promise to create the Great Koala National park and ensure future generations can see these most precious of species in the wild. “We are also delivering on our promise to work together to ensure no one is left behind. This decision will ensure downstream small businesses are supported as they search for new opportunities. “There will also new opportunities created for tourism and small business under a $6 million package that we will develop in consultation with local communities to grow jobs and investment as the Great Koala National Park is established. Source: NSW Government  Introducing Owl: Planet's most advanced satellite
Since Planet's founding in 2011, the mission has been
simple yet bold: to make the Earth visible, accessible, and actionable.
By pioneering a new approach to space, Planet has built and now
operate the world’s largest commercial network of Earth-imaging
satellites.This effort has resulted in Planet’s core product: our global, near-daily scan, which has an unmatched data archive dating back to 2017, capturing years of near-daily imagery for every point of Earth’s landmass and offering unparalleled temporal depth for AI and analytics. Our global scan is a core element of our business, and remains unprecedented in Earth observation. That’s why we’re excited to introduce Owl™: our next-generation monitoring fleet. With a technical demonstration slated for launch late next year, and the Owl fleet moving into production and launch over the following years, Owl will be designed to deliver frequent, best-in-class imagery faster, enabling customers to receive imagery-enabled insights within as little as one hour of capture. Owls will also include the latest NVIDIA graphics processing units (GPUs) to enable AI at the edge, and help redefine what can be seen and what value we can unlock. We’re excited for this satellite fleet to help further our mission to achieve global security and sustainability. Why Owl? In keeping with naming our satellites after birds, we chose owls given their keen eyesight and wisdom. This new, state-of-the-art fleet of satellites aims to support Planet’s global near-daily scan capabilities while providing seamless continuity with the existing SuperDove fleet. Going beyond the currently available 3-4 meter resolution imagery, these new satellites are expected to deliver near-daily, 1-meter class imagery at low latency – a consistent, high-fidelity dataset ideal for integration with the leading AI foundation models and unprecedented among commercial providers. Owl is slated to share the same core spectral bands as our SuperDove constellation, providing uninterrupted compatibility with existing workflows. Planet plans to also offer products that showcase its improved resolution, expanding what customers can explore and accomplish with Planet imagery, from assessing damage after a disaster to detecting vessels to enabling better mapping. Planet is proud to have helped lead the Earth observation industry with a series of firsts that have not only ushered in a new commercial space ecosystem, but provided critical value within security, commercial, and civil government sectors. It is exactly because PlanetScope Monitoring, enabled by the SuperDove fleet, has become such a foundational piece of the business, and has set the bar for what customers have come to rely on for near-daily, global monitoring, that Planet is committed to continuing to advance and evolve it. More >> Source & image credit: Planet  New mapping study found trees up to 81m tall
New research led by Griffith University has measured individual
tree heights across 3.1 million hectares in the New South Wales Northern
Rivers region, revealing old growth forests and a tree as tall as a 27-
storey building at 81m.In the study published in Australian Journal of Botany, advanced mapping techniques using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and computational power revealed a detailed assessment of forest structure at the single-tree level over large geographic extents of the Northern Rivers region. LiDAR uses laser light to measure distances to create detailed three-dimensional (3D) models of the landscape, including trees. Lead author on the National Environmental Science Program Resilient Landscapes Hub project, Dr Patrick Norman from Griffith University, said the advanced mapping techniques allowed them to use publicly available Airborne Laser Scanning data to model forest canopy height and individual trees across 3.1 million hectares, at a level of detail that had not been achievable until now. “This has allowed us to map the forest canopy in incredible detail, capturing more than 180 million individual trees across this huge area,” Dr Norman said. The analysis of tree heights across different vegetation types and land uses showed the tallest trees were found in wet sclerophyll forests, in areas of native forest designated for nature conservation or timber production. “This information provides valuable insights into the influence of environmental and human impacts on tree heights, which could be used to inform management strategies and conservation efforts within the region and can also be applied to other forested landscapes,” Dr Norman said. This research was part of a project to develop climate change adaptation plans for the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales and the Wet Tropics of Queensland. Both regions were home to many threatened species and ecological communities and contained a diverse range of land uses and protected areas, including significant wetlands, national parks, World Heritage Areas, Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous Land Use Agreements. They were also places of rapid change: in a three-year period in the Northern Rivers region, unprecedented drought had been followed by bushfires and floods in rapid succession. The study ‘Landscape-wide modelling of canopy tree crowns and heights using LiDAR: a case study in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, Australia’ has been published in Australian Journal of Botany. More >> Source: Griffith University Australia's national biofuel strategy - future for heavy vehicles
Peak bodies have welcomed the landmark step taken to begin
locally producing low-carbon liquid fuels for Australia’s heavy
vehicle industry. The federal government has taken another step towards locally producing low-carbon liquid fuels for Australian trucks and vehicles, opening submissions for its first National Bioenergy Feedstock Strategy. The landmark plan is investigating how the nation can harness its vast untapped resources, from crop residues and tallow to used cooking oil and organic waste, to fuel the next generation of low-carbon energy. Bioenergy – including renewable or low carbon liquid fuels (LCLF), low carbon gases and solid biofuels – is a critical factor in Australia’s net-zero transition according to Bioenergy Australia CEO and the Low Carbon Fuels Alliance of Australia and New Zealand (LCFAANZ) founder Shahana McKenzie. More >> Source: OwnerDriver  Matariki Forests celebrates 20 years
Matariki Forests recently marked a major milestone with the
unveiling of a very special Pou at its Auckland office.
Staff gathered for the ceremony, where the Pou was unveiled and
blessed by Mana whenua Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Standing 2.4 metres tall, it
has become the new centrepiece of the office, carrying deep meaning and
rich symbolism.The Pou was created by carver, Nathan Foote, who shared the stories woven into its design at the event. Every detail represents a part of Matariki Forests’ journey. The carving reflects the company’s strong philosophy of kaitiakitanga — guardianship of the whenua and its people — as well as its commitment to excellence and partnerships with iwi across the motu. At the Pou’s base is Tāne Mahuta, the god of the forests, rising upward through the narrative of Ranginui and Papatūānuku’s separation. Symbols include the Pinus radiata pollen, the steering paddle guiding the waka, Manaia figures representing the five regional offices, and the nine stars of Matariki crowning the top. The Pou also honours Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, with the inclusion of Waitematā Kupenga Rau - the hundred fishing nets of the Waitematā Harbour and Tāwhaki the central figure who attained the three baskets of knowledge, alongside other meaningful motifs. The tōtara log was sourced by Matariki Forests’ Hawke’s Bay office from its Hamptons Forest and delivered to Nathan’s carving studio. Over four months, the beautiful native timber was transformed into the magnificent Pou now standing pride of place in the Auckland office. Nathan, who trained at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute in Rotorua has been carving for 20 years. “This has been a journey, three years in the making. The first log sourced and delivered was Matai which had been recovered from the forest floor but unfortunately was not suitable. “I was excited to see the next delivery of the tōtara. It has some outstanding features for carving. It’s a beautiful rich red when first cut, soft to work with yet able to hold intricate detail. It’s also durable, making it perfect for a taonga like this. It was a privilege to create it,” says Nathan. Matariki Forests Managing Director, Alistair Brown, reflected on the significance of the unveiling. “Over the last 20 years, the company has gone from strength to strength. The unveiling of the Pou was a very moving occasion and a wonderful way to mark our 20th anniversary. It gave us a chance to pause and reflect on the journey we have been on, and it adds something very special to the office for many more anniversaries to come. It’s incredibly special to have this taonga proudly standing in our Auckland office,” says Al. Matariki Forests was established in 2005 and over the last two decades the company has consistently demonstrated leadership, innovation and a commitment to sustainability. Some noteworthy achievements include Matariki Forests receiving the Supreme Award at the inaugural Ministry for Primary Industries Good Employer Awards and co-founding AVA Timber – a major export joint venture with Manulife Forest Management. In June this year, The Rohatyn Group acquired a 77% shareholding in Matariki Forestry Group marking a new chapter in the company’s journey. Source & image credit: Matariki Forests  Jobs
Buy and SellAnd one to end the week on... Whippy good deeds on SH6
OneFortyOne NZ Forests showed their appreciation this week by bringing a Mr Whippy ice cream van out to the crews working through the State Highway 6 road closure. The closure has been part of post-storm salvage operations, and the company wanted to thank their contractors for their hard work with a sweet surprise.
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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