Thread: Pointers on NZ timber, where and what to get?

Yeah gidday

There was a post from one of the NZ BB members about a mob who was buying up old state houses and recycling the timber - I wasn't successful in finding it just now, but you might.

Nikau Contracting Mt Eden 09 627 5431 have a huge range of timber. I pinged the yellow pages for 'Demolition' and these blokes came up too:

Native Timber Solutions 09 627 5431

Check out the demo mob on K Rd in Hamilton - they had a shed full last time I checked.

There is good rimu being milled out there, but it seldom finds it's way into any retail outlet. A couple of specialised wholesalers sell it, but it's worth GOLD. Some of the smaller mills will occasionaly have some rough sawn stuff for sale.
There is a company on Trademe selling off small packets of assorted timber, looks like part packets, leftovers of big orders, but there seems to be some interesting stuff. I think he's based in Auckland though.

Getting away from native timbers, I do a lot of work with Marocarpa, it's readily available from most any small sawmill. ( I saw my own though) Some of the locally grown Eucalyptus is worth investigating too.

Cheers

Ian

Thanks for the contacts guys. There must be good stuff about as you say, as it is used in the furniture industry, but I have failed so far to find any.

I have been getting imported stuff from Timpans who have been very accommodating and trucking it down from Auckland . The wood is expensive but mostly good.

I'll pop into that place in Hamilton next time I go. Never thought of trade me - although it is nice to see what you are getting before it arrives.

Originally Posted by Ianab

There is a company on Trademe selling off small packets of assorted timber, looks like part packets, leftovers of big orders, but there seems to be some interesting stuff. I think he's based in Auckland though.
Cheers

Ian

I think what this guy is selling is fijian rimu or island rimu.
I've used a bit of it as its about the only rimu you can get hold of over here in Aus and it has some nice grain in it. Currently building a bed with it and will post some Pics when its finished.
I have been told that apart from recycled stuff most rimu now used in Nz is this Island Rimu anyway. Don't know how true this is.

Cheers
Bruce T.

I think what this guy is selling is fijian rimu or island rimu.

He is selling some of that, and various other imported and native timber.
Not a problem as long as he's describing it correctly.

I suspect you are correct about a lot of the 'rimu' furniture being made from the imported stuff though.

There is still some rimu being harvested, but it's usually being done quietly without any fuss. Even if it's cut under a sustainable management scheme some people seem to get their undies in a knot.

I did pass a buddy of mine on the road a couple of months back, he was carrying a logging truck and trailer of sawn boards instead of the usual logs. I caught up to him on the phone later and he confirmed it was a truck and trailer load of fresh sawn Rimu. (there were actually 2 trucks) He hauled it to Auckland the next day to be kiln dried. The load was worth similar $$ to the truck he was driving :eek:
Another local company hauls the logs out of Eastern Taranaki bush with a helicopter.

Anyway the stuff is out there, it's just much easier to sell it than to find any to buy.

Cheers

Ian