A New Zealand timber association has criticised the government for pushing change in the country’s sawmilling industry.
Stephen Coyle, of the Otago-Southland Timber Association, said the government had implemented fringe taxes and compliance measures which were pressurising small businesses, while not dealing with a rapidly-rising NZ dollar that has made exports unprofitable.
Mr Coyle said the industry has been struggling to maintain its level of export timber to countries including the US and Asia.
But he said southern sawmillers are determined to continue exporting for fear of destroying trading relationships developed over many years.
