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Wood Working Industries Events in New Zealand
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WoodWorks
September 02, 2025 - September 03, 2025
WoodWorks: A Dynamic Platform for Advancing Timber Construction
In an era where sustainability, innovation, and resource efficiency shape the built environment, WoodWorks emerges as a strategic event dedicated to expanding the use of wood in commercial and multi-residential buildings. Far more than a conventional trade show, WoodWorks acts as a professional convergence point for architects, engineers, developers, and construction firms who believe in the potential of timber to redefine modern architecture.
The core of the event lies in its emphasis on mass timber, BIM integration, and real-world project applications. Through carefully curated presentations, site visits, and interactive case studies, attendees gain insight into not only what’s possible with wood but how it’s already being done at scale around the world.
Whether you’re involved in early-stage design, structural engineering, building envelope solutions, or construction management, WoodWorks offers tailored content that speaks to your role in the evolving timber ecosystem.
The Significance of Timber in the Built Environment
Wood has re-emerged as a dominant material in architectural innovation, particularly due to its low carbon footprint, aesthetic warmth, and structural flexibility. At WoodWorks, this resurgence is not merely discussed — it is demonstrated through the lens of real buildings, completed or in-progress.
Across commercial, civic, educational, and residential projects, mass timber is now being implemented in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago. The event showcases how engineered wood products—like cross-laminated timber (CLT), glue-laminated beams (glulam), and laminated veneer lumber (LVL)—are driving a shift away from concrete and steel, especially in mid-rise and high-rise developments.
Attendees of WoodWorks gain not just technical information but a full understanding of design strategies, code navigation, material sourcing, and long-term performance of wood structures.
From Vision to Practice: Real Case Studies That Inspire
What sets WoodWorks apart is its commitment to real-world knowledge sharing. The event’s programming includes live presentations and detailed case studies of projects that pushed the boundaries of timber use in commercial construction.
Examples span:
Office towers constructed entirely with CLT
Multi-residential housing designed around passive wood systems
Hybrid projects blending steel with mass timber frameworks
Retrofitted commercial buildings using timber inserts for aesthetic and thermal upgrades
Each project is presented by a team of professionals—often the architect, engineer, and builder—offering a multi-perspective look at what went right, what had to be adapted, and how innovation emerged from challenges. These sessions are not sales pitches; they are open, instructive, and deeply valuable to professionals in the trenches.
Site Visits: Where the Learning Becomes Tangible
An essential feature of WoodWorks is the chance to visit active or completed mass timber sites. These guided tours allow participants to see construction methods up close, examine details of assembly, and ask questions to the project teams behind them.
Observe mass timber installation in-progress
Understand hybrid connection techniques with steel or concrete
Examine how fire safety and acoustics are handled in timber structures
Learn how digital models (BIM) translate into real-world results
See how prefabrication and modular systems reduce construction timelines
These tours bridge the gap between theory and execution and are often cited by past attendees as the most valuable component of the event.
Digital Innovation and Timber: BIM at the Center
As timber becomes more central in large-scale construction, the role of Building Information Modeling (BIM) becomes equally critical. WoodWorks places a strong emphasis on digital workflows that ensure precision, reduce waste, and allow for seamless coordination between disciplines.
Discussions around BIM include:
Creating digital twins of timber buildings
Clash detection in prefabricated timber modules
Optimizing structural layouts using parametric modeling
Streamlining approval processes with accurate visual simulations
For architecture and engineering firms, mastering BIM in the timber context is now not optional—it’s a competitive necessity. WoodWorks provides both the theoretical understanding and the software-specific knowledge to operate effectively in this space.
Who Should Attend WoodWorks
Professionals across multiple disciplines will find unique value at WoodWorks. The event is intentionally cross-functional, encouraging collaboration across traditional silos in the AEC industry.
Those who benefit most include:
Architects working with wood or planning to incorporate timber into future designs
Structural and civil engineers exploring alternatives to steel and concrete
Developers seeking sustainable and fast-track construction solutions
Project managers responsible for coordination and delivery timelines
Code consultants and fire safety experts analyzing timber’s regulatory context
Key Themes and Benefits of Attending
Attending WoodWorks delivers strategic advantages not just in product knowledge, but in business outcomes:
Exposure to the newest technologies in wood-based construction
Networking with leading mass timber manufacturers and design firms
Access to on-the-ground insights from major timber projects
Practical training in BIM use for timber workflows
Awareness of evolving codes, permits, and green certifications
Here’s what WoodWorks attendees consistently highlight as most valuable:
Professional development through deep-dive sessions and practical workshops
Connection building with a high-caliber group of specialists
Technology exposure that translates directly to project innovation
Confidence in adopting timber for larger, risk-managed builds
WoodWorks as a Movement, Not Just a Conference
WoodWorks is more than an event—it is a movement within the global construction industry, promoting wood not as a niche option but as a mainstream material for the future. Its growing popularity reflects a paradigm shift where environmental responsibility and technological precision merge.
The impact of the conference continues long after the final session ends. Many attendees report that what they’ve learned and who they’ve met has directly shaped future projects, proposals, and even career trajectories.
As wood moves into new domains of commercial construction, WoodWorks remains the annual anchor point where ideas become action, and vision becomes reality.
WoodTech Rotorua
March 13, 2025 - March 14, 2025
Completed WoodTECH stands as Australasia's leading independent platform, bringing together industry leaders, mill managers, production teams, and technology specialists from the sawmilling and wood processing sectors. For over 25 years, this influential event has provided a vital space for professionals to explore the latest technological advancements, share insights, and discuss the future of wood processing in New Zealand and Australia. With a focus on innovation, WoodTECH showcases cutting-edge developments in areas like wood scanning, drying, processing, and mill optimization, all designed to enhance operational efficiency and drive the industry forward.
Every year, the event attracts a diverse group of industry professionals eager to stay at the forefront of technological advancements. It offers a unique opportunity for companies to evaluate the newest equipment, software, and operating practices, empowering them to implement solutions that will significantly impact their business operations. This platform allows companies not only to discover groundbreaking innovations but also to engage in conversations about the challenges facing the industry today, helping shape the future direction of wood processing.
WoodTECH is not merely a trade show or exhibition; it’s a collaborative environment where industry experts share knowledge, discuss trends, and exchange ideas that could define the future of sawmilling and wood processing. The event features sessions focused on the very latest technologies and innovations in wood processing, ensuring that businesses are equipped with the tools needed to stay competitive and thrive in an ever-evolving market. It’s a space where companies can evaluate new solutions, refine their strategies, and gain valuable insights into the practical applications of these advancements.
Organized by the Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA), WoodTECH plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between technological development and industry application. It has become a cornerstone for the wood processing community, offering a direct line to the innovations that will shape the industry's future. This gathering serves as a catalyst for growth, encouraging collaboration, and driving the adoption of new technologies that will ultimately improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the overall sustainability of the industry.
WoodTECH’s importance extends far beyond showcasing the latest technologies; it acts as a forum for evaluating the broader landscape of the industry, from production challenges to emerging opportunities. As more and more businesses look to streamline operations and incorporate advanced technologies into their processes, WoodTECH provides a critical venue to discover the solutions that can transform the way wood processing is done. Whether a company is looking to optimize its mill, improve product quality, or stay ahead of the competition, WoodTECH is the go-to event for gaining the knowledge and connections needed to succeed in the dynamic world of wood processing.
