The wood processing industry is concentrated in the Central North Island, where currently most mature forest plantations are located. By 2010 there will be another 19 million cubic metres of wood available for industry to further process, or export in log form. The growth in announced investment over the next couple of years is encouraging. Sawmilling Total annual sawn timber production to June 1998 was 3.19 million cubic metres with over 430 sawmills contributing to this total. Over 75 percent of this volume was produced from 35 production sites and 25 companies.
Most sawmills produce primarily structural lumber products.
With an increasing volume of high quality pruned logs available, a trend towards appearance grade products has been noted. A relatively young industry in New Zealand adding further value to sawn lumber through a number of processes, to produce goods such as mouldings, components and laminated products. But it is well regarded for its innovation and export market development focus. The growth of the panel industry has been variable. Five multinational companies dominate the industry manufacturing from nine large sites.