Kauri Timber Company

The forests owned by KTC made it the fifth-largest landholding company in the country, which removed much of North Island’s native forest, initially kauri and later kahikatea,[2][3] assuring steady supplies for its mills for many years.

In its extensive export trade the company employed a large fleet of vessels, and was represented in the markets of Great Britain, Cape Colony, Australia and the South Sea Islands.

First the Christchurch plywood factory, Butler Bros, Stuart & Chapman and Ellis & Burnand were sold on 5 June 1961 for NZ£750,000 (A£930,000), though they were said to be worth well in excess of £1 million.

KTC's customers and senior staff were not happy with the takeover, causing profitability to drop.

[9] Chatlee mill at Smithton was upgraded, 'home centres' were opened in Adelaide and Melbourne and Devonport and Deloraine sawmills were sold to J.

Auckland Timber Company Building (right), after its takeover by the Kauri Timber Company in 1888. A wire suspension bridge hosted rails to allow the transfer of goods from the factory to the mill on trollies.
1886 birds-eye view of Kauri Timber Co
Kauri Timber Co building in 2019
Kauri Timber Company's timber train at Waipapa , laden with logs, 1912