- Speciality Species
Specialty species, or ‘alternative species’ are exotic (non-native) tree species excluding radiata pine which produce timber with potential high-value applications such as joinery, furniture, and outdoor applications enabled by natural durability.
The most commonly grown specialty species in New Zealand are cypresses, Douglas-fir, eucalypts (durable and non-durable) and coastal redwood.
Supported by MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund, we are currently undertaking a broad consultation to determine the research priorities for a future programme.
There have been three specialty species research programmes and projects:
- The Specialty Wood Products Research Partnership (SWP), which ran from 2015-2023
- A series of short projects funded by the Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) (2022-2023)
- Diversity projects funded by the levy and MPI in 2025, a series of short term projects
Explore SWP, ITP & Diversity short term project outputs:
Speciality Species News
2026 Youth Micro Innovation Challenge Winners Announced
Two Outstanding Forestry Innovations Awarded $10,000 Development Funding After an impressive field of entries from across New Zealand’s forestry sector, we are excited to announce
Apply for 2027 Forest Growers Levy Trust research funding
The Forest Growers Levy Trust (FGLT) application process for 2027 funding will take place in September this year as an open call, consistent with previous
Reflections on Fieldays 2026: The conversations that really only happen in person
“In a world of emails, Teams calls and AI tools, Fieldays is a powerful reminder that nothing replaces a face-to-face conversation and the authenticity of
Related searchable documents and reports
| Title | Date | Report Number | Author | Link | hf:doc_categories |
|---|