Mid-Rise Wood Construction: A lasting legacy for mass timber in new zealand
Building confidence, capability and momentum
After nearly eight years of collaboration, the Mid-Rise Wood Construction (MRWC) programme concluded on 30 June 2026.
Established in 2018 as a partnership between the Ministry for Primary Industries and Red Stag Investments, MRWC set out to help advance the use of New Zealand-grown engineered wood products in mid-rise, commercial and industrial construction.
The programme brought together developers, asset owners, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors, manufacturers, researchers, educators and government. Together, they helped turn mass timber from an emerging alternative into a more familiar, practical option for New Zealand project teams.
What the programme achieved
MRWC helped address the practical barriers that can prevent timber from being considered early in a project. Through real projects, independent resources and direct industry engagement, the programme built a foundation of knowledge that will continue to support the sector.
Demonstrating what is possible
MRWC supported the design and delivery of the five-storey Clearwater Quays apartments in Christchurch, demonstrating the use of CLT, LVL and Glulam in a mid-rise residential building.
The programme also partnered with projects across New Zealand to share lessons from a diverse range of building types, including commercial, industrial, education, retirement living and multi-residential developments. These projects gave industry professionals the opportunity to see mass timber in practice and hear directly from the people who designed and built it.
Sharing practical knowledge
The programme delivered 19 site tours, alongside case studies, seminars, webinars and technical resources. These activities connected people across the design and construction sector with the practical experience needed to make informed decisions about timber.
They also created opportunities to share the lessons that matter most: early collaboration, detailed design, procurement, cost, construction sequencing, moisture management, fire and acoustic performance.
A platform for continued progress
The programme’s work has helped establish a stronger platform for mass timber in New Zealand: more experienced project teams, more reference projects, more practical information and more industry-ready tools.
There is more work to do. Cost, supply, regulatory pathways and technical understanding remain important considerations. But the resources, connections and examples created through MRWC will continue to help project teams assess timber with greater confidence.
Explore the latest MRWC resources
Project Big Span
Mass Timber Industrial Building Optimisation, or MIBO, addresses one of the sector’s most important opportunities: making large-span industrial buildings more competitive with conventional steel solutions.
New Acoustic Guide
The new MRWC Acoustics Guide, developed by Red Stag, provides practical guidance to help project teams consider acoustic performance in mass timber buildings.
NEZO partnership
MRWC’s partnership with Nezo gives NZ industry free access until 2027 to a practical early-stage design tool that compares the cost, mass and carbon implications of different structural options.
FEATURED TIMBER case studies
