Shortage of building timber "worst in living memory" - a podcast by RNZ

A building industry leader says the shortage of structural timber in New Zealand is now the worst in living memory - and it could still get worse. Imports have slowed due to disruptions in the supply chain from Covid-related shipping delays. Meanwhile New Zealand's own supply is struggling to keep pace with high demand, both domestically as result of a post-Covid building boom, and internationally - particularly from our biggest buyer, China. Recent timber mill closures means the country no longer has the capacity to process as many logs as it could. The shortage in timber is stymying house building projects, at a time of an acute housing crisis. Calls for a limit on timber exports have been rejected by the Government, so what else can be done to increase the supply of the fundamental building blocks of our homes? Susie is joined by Julien Leys, chief executive of the New Zealand Building Industry Federation and Brian Stanley, the chairman of the Wood Processors & Manufacturers Association.

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