Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, Manoa Kamikamica, recently visited Red Stag Timber, a privately owned timber company located in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Red Stag Timber stands as the largest timber company in the Southern Hemisphere, with an impressive annual output of over 600,000 cubic meters of Radiata Pine and Douglas-fir timber, contributing to an annual revenue exceeding NZ $220 million. The company is well-known for its innovative practices and commitment to sustainable timber production.
During the visit, the focus was on understanding the success of one of New Zealand’s largest sawmills, which produces high-quality timber for markets across New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific region. DPM Kamikamica recognized the company’s advancements in innovation and supply chain development, emphasizing that collaboration with industries in Fiji could prove beneficial.
He highlighted the potential for Fiji to adopt efficient and modern technologies and best practices from Red Stag Timber, particularly to enhance the forestry sector, which includes mahogany—one of Fiji’s key exports.
Kamikamica expressed gratitude to Red Stag Timber for the insights gained during the visit and indicated a desire for future partnerships within the timber industry.