The planted forests of exotic radiata pine are the major suppliers of New Zealand's timber. Radiata grows rapidly here, producing a high amount of usable wood per tree. Forest export products consist of timber, wood pulp and chips, paper, building boards, plywood, veneers, and various oils. Australia and Japan are New Zealand's largest customers of forest product exports. Manufacturing Many basic industries, such as textiles and leather goods, tobacco, rubber and plastics, fruit and vegetables, building supplies, and furniture, are flourishing in New Zealand.
Light manufacturing provides an increasing range of both consumer and industrial goods.
Aircraft manufacture, motor vehicle assembly, and the textiles and garment industry all provide employment. Two steel companies in New Zealand make heavy equipment from imported steel. Engineers have made many advancements in highly specialized electronic equipment for agriculture, medicine, and veterinary science. Energy New Zealand does not have large mineral deposits and so relies heavily on imported raw materials to manufacture chemicals. Newer ventures include oil refining, aluminium smelting, and ironsand deposit mining, processing New Zealand's offshore oil and gas condensates, and processing associated with steel and glass production.