Reluctantly, following numerous discussions and calls with sawmilling companies across New Zealand and Australia, the decision was made to postpone WoodTECH 2021.

As of mid-June 2021, international borders remain closed. This precluded many presenters, exhibitors and delegates from outside of New Zealand from attending WoodTECH 2021. With ongoing COVID-19 issues in Australia, including major lockdowns in Melbourne, companies have also been reluctant to travel. This has meant Australian mills are unable to meet together, as they usually do, at this event.

We have also experienced, post-COVID-19, an unprecedented building activity across Australasia. As a consequence, mills are working extra shifts and extra hours to meet the demand. This meant that many of the mills we’ve been speaking to were disappointed that they’ll be unable to attend in 2021 – they’re just too busy during this period.

In the end, the decision was simple. WoodTECH 2021 was postponed until May 2022.

WoodTECH 2022 will have a very similar programme, with much the same content and international speakers and will run in Rotorua, New Zealand on 18-19 May 2022. Due to ongoing Covid-19 issues in Australia, the decision was made to host this event in New Zealand only. Our Australian colleagues can join and particapte in the live-streaming online or travel across for the event in-peson.

We are hopeful that most international borders will be open to travel and many of our international presenters – and exhibitors – who haven’t been out to Australasia for at least a couple of years, will instead be able to participate in person.