This year's conference included an intensive field trip to leading regional forest products companies. Kicking off the conference, Rotorua Lakes Council Mayor Steve Chadwick spoke on the encouragement being given in the region to wood products, and in particular of the opportunities for engineered wood products. Ms Chadwick highlighted entrenched opinions, lack of understanding, and low levels of relevant experience and knowledge, as key issues hampering a wider uptake of engineered wood. ... And engineered wood needs to be included in the building standards." "It's got to be a team collaborative effort," she added, noting that this approach was the catalyst to the successful update of engineered wood in Australia, Canada and the UK.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 30, 2016 03:22 UTC