Mid-Rise Construction Timber Advocacy Programme Extended until JUNe 2026
Red Stag Investments (Red Stag) is pleased to announce the extension of the Mid-Rise Wood Construction programme through to June 2026. This decision reflects a commitment to decarbonising the construction industry and promoting sustainable building practices using locally sourced engineered timber materials to boost economic development.
Marty Verry, Group CEO and owner of Red Stag Investments, notes that the Mid-Rise Wood Construction programme is working on a tangible solution for addressing emissions. “Timber buildings don’t just reduce emissions - they store carbon, cutting the environmental impact of the built environment while delivering beautiful, high-performance spaces,” says Verry.
The programme continues to promote a sustainable, low-emissions alternative to steel and concrete, aligning with Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service’s strategy for supporting the development of the forestry and wood processing industry in New Zealand.
“The progress achieved through the Mid-Rise Wood Construction programme demonstrates the pivotal role of mass timber in building an economically stronger and sustainable future,” said Steve Penno, Director of Investment Programmes at the Ministry for Primary Industries, which is a key partner and co-investor in the programme. “This extension will help maximise the benefits New Zealand gets out of this successful project.”
Driving change in the built environment
Since the programme began in 2018, Mid-Rise Wood Construction has championed the use of New Zealand’s mass-timber engineered wood products - including cross-laminated timber (CLT), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), and glue-laminated timber (Glulam) - in mid-rise building construction. These materials are a sustainable alternative to steel and concrete, aligning with the Government’s goals to reduce carbon emissions and foster a robust domestic wood processing industry.
The extension will build on the significant progress already made, including:
Supporting the design and promotion of high-profile mass timber construction projects.
Hosting new site tours and developing further case studies that showcase the potential of mass timber.
Strengthening the market’s capacity for innovation in mass timber construction.
Providing new tools for mass timber design and construction.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
The programme’s extension aligns with New Zealand’s Paris Agreement commitments and the Government’s economic development goals, including doubling the value of exports within the next decade. A strong mass-timber production base in New Zealand creates export potential. Using mass timber in place of traditional materials like concrete and steel not only reduces embodied carbon but also:
Reduces the cost of importing steel and cement
Expands regional employment through increased investment in domestic wood processing.
Supports the growth of biofuels and biomaterials by generating more wood residues.
Helps New Zealand mitigate the financial risk of purchasing offshore carbon credits to meet climate targets.
Leading indicators which demonstrate that the programme is helping to make a difference
Carbon reduction
The growth of mass timber-engineered wood products between 2020 and 2024 is estimated to have reduced carbon emissions by an average of 22,645 tonnes each year.
Industry awareness and desire
A recent BRANZ survey in March 2024¹ identifies an increase in the use of mass timber-engineered wood products in construction over the past 3 years, with 55% of respondents citing a noticeable increase in the use of timber.
Demand trends
There has been a consistent upward trajectory in demand in dollars for mass timber based on Red Stag’s sales pipeline between 2020 and 2024.
Upcoming programme activities
The extended programme will deliver initiatives aimed at maintaining momentum and accelerating the adoption of mass timber in the construction industry:
New Demonstration Projects: Completing additional high-profile building projects, including site tours and case studies, to showcase the versatility and sustainability of mass timber.
Mass-Timber Industrial Building Optimisation (MIBO) Project: Developing standardised, cost-competitive mass timber designs for industrial buildings, addressing barriers to adoption such as cost and technical complexity.
Acoustic Optimisation Study: The programme will advance understanding of inter-floor noise reduction in mass timber apartments to support broader residential adoption.
Site visits in 2025
The first site visit of the year was to the Alpine Resort residential build in Wanaka. The next is to the Summerset development in Milldale, Auckland. Additional site visits are planned for Red Stag’s manufacturing facility in Rotorua and the Parliamentary Services Building in Wellington.
To stay informed and secure a spot on these exclusive tours, readers are encouraged to sign up for the Mid-Rise Wood Construction newsletter via the new and improved website and experience these groundbreaking mass timber projects firsthand.
The future is timber: Be part of it.
“Mid-Rise Wood Construction calls on developers, architects, engineers, and contractors to be part of the shift toward sustainable construction,” said Peter Clark, Chair of the Mid-Rise Wood Construction programme. “By attending site tours, exploring case studies, and engaging in industry events, professionals can see firsthand how mass timber is shaping the future. Together, we can grow a low-carbon built environment and a stronger economy for New Zealand.”
