The Hidden Cost of Kwila: Why New Zealand Should Support Local Timber Instead

For decades, Kwila (also known as Merbau) has been the default "go-to" timber for New Zealand decks, outdoor furniture, and landscaping. Walk into any big-box hardware store, and you will see stacks of it. It is hard, it is heavy, and it has become ingrained in the Kiwi backyard culture.

But as we become more conscious of our environmental footprint, a growing number of New Zealanders are pausing to ask: Where does this wood actually come from, and what is the true cost of importing it?

While Kwila is often marketed as a premium hardwood, the reality behind its harvest is often far from premium. From the destruction of ancient rainforests to the displacement of indigenous communities, the journey of a Kwila board from a tropical rainforest to a New Zealand deck is fraught with ethical and environmental issues.

Fortunately, we don't need to look overseas for a solution. In our own backyard, New Zealand Red Heart Beech offers a high-performance, sustainable, and strictly regulated alternative that supports local communities rather than global deforestation.

The Reality of Kwila Imports

The vast majority of Kwila imported into New Zealand originates from the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and West Papua (Indonesia). These forests are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth, acting as critical carbon sinks for the planet.

However, these regions are currently facing an environmental crisis.

1. The Risk of Illegal Logging

It is an uncomfortable truth that the global timber trade is rife with corruption. According to research by Chatham House, a world-leading policy institute, it is estimated that 70% of logging in Papua New Guinea is illegal or stems from corrupted land leases.

The primary mechanism for this is the "Special Agricultural Business Lease" (SABL) system, which has been widely criticised by international watchdogs. This loophole allows foreign companies to clear-cut massive areas of ancient forest under the guise of agricultural projects - projects that often never materialise. Once the valuable hardwoods like Kwila are extracted, the land is left devastated.

When you purchase cheap imported hardwood, the supply chain is often so opaque that it is nearly impossible to guarantee that the wood wasn't stolen from traditional landowners.

2. The "Bleeding" Problem

Putting ethics aside for a moment, Kwila has a significant practical flaw that frustrates homeowners and builders alike: tannin bleed.

Kwila is incredibly rich in dark red tannins. When the timber gets wet (which, in New Zealand, is inevitable), it leaches a rusty-brown liquid. This "bleed" creates stubborn, unsightly stains on concrete paths, pavers, expensive swimming pool surrounds, and lighter adjacent walls.

Removing these stains is difficult, often requiring harsh chemicals. While retailers will tell you to "weather" the timber, the risk of ruining your landscaping remains high during the first few months of installation.

3. The Carbon Footprint of Shipping

Even if a piece of Kwila were harvested legally, it is an incredibly heavy, dense wood that must be shipped thousands of kilometres from near the equator to New Zealand. The carbon emissions associated with the heavy transport and international shipping of tropical hardwoods are significant.

In contrast, New Zealand timber is milled locally and transported relatively short distances by road, resulting in a drastically lower carbon footprint.

The "Hardness" Myth: Why We Choose Beech

One of the main arguments for Kwila is its extreme hardness (Janka rating of ~8.6kN). There is no denying it is a hard timber. However, in the New Zealand climate, hardness is not the only metric that matters.

We believe West Coast Red Heart Beech (Nothofagus fusca) is the superior choice for New Zealand conditions. Here is why:

Stability Over Brute Force

While Kwila is harder, Red Heart Beech is renowned for its dimensional stability. It has a Janka hardness of roughly 5.4kN making it significantly harder and denser than softwoods like Radiata Pine or Macrocarpa (approx 2.7-3.4kN).

Red Beech is "hard enough" to take a beating, but its true superpower is that it wears evenly and stays straight. It is a Class 2 Durable timber, achieving an H3.2 equivalent rating naturally, without the need for the toxic chemical preservatives (like arsenic) found in treated pine.

No Bleeding

Unlike Kwila, Red Heart Beech does not bleed. You can install it next to pristine concrete, limestone pavers, or pool tiles without the anxiety of red stains appearing after the first rainfall.

A Beautiful, Natural Aesthetic

Aesthetically, Red Heart Beech is stunning. It features rich, deep reddish-brown tones that are distinctively "New Zealand." If left uncoated, it weathers gracefully to a distinguished silver-grey, blending perfectly with our coastal and alpine landscapes.

Deep Dive: Want to see how the numbers stack up? Read our detailed comparison: What’s the Best Alternative to Kwila Decking in New Zealand?

 

But is New Zealand Native Timber Sustainable?

This is the most common question we get. For years, the message was "don't touch our native trees." However, the landscape of forestry has changed completely.

We source our Red Heart Beech exclusively from the West Coast of the South Island, operating under the strict supervision of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

The "Continuous Cover" Difference

We do not practice clear-felling. Instead, we utilise a method called Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF).

In this model, trees are harvested individually or in small groups. The forest canopy is never removed, meaning the ecosystem remains intact permanently, bird life remains, and the forest continues to regenerate naturally.

• We only harvest a tiny fraction of the forest's annual growth.

• Old-growth trees are often left as habitats for native fauna.

• The forest retains its carbon-sequestering ability.

This is the gold standard of sustainable forestry. It ensures that the timber you buy today guarantees the forest will still be standing for your grandchildren.

Beware of "Greenwashing"

You may see Kwila stamped with certification labels like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC. While these organisations have noble goals, the reality on the ground in regions like PNG and Indonesia is complicated.

Reports from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) have highlighted issues with "document fraud," where illegally logged timber is mixed with legal timber and stamped as certified before export. Because the supply chain is so long and complex, "certified" Kwila does not always guarantee a clean conscience.

With New Zealand Beech, the supply chain is short, transparent, and strictly enforced by New Zealand law. There is no guessing game.

The Verdict: A Choice for the Future

Every dollar we spend is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in.

Buying Kwila sends money offshore to support an industry plagued by environmental destruction and questionable ethics. Buying West Coast Red Heart Beech keeps money in the New Zealand economy, supports West Coast sawmills and families, and incentivises the protection and sustainable management of our native forests.

It is durable, it is beautiful, it doesn't bleed, and it is 100% Kiwi.

Ready to build better?

Making the switch is simple. We supply premium Red Heart Beech decking nationwide, delivering directly to your site whether you are in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch or anywhere else.

Click here to view our West Coast Beech Decking range and get a quote today.

Sources & Further Reading

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we have based this article on data from the following organisations:

1. Chatham House (The Royal Institute of International Affairs): Illegal Logging in Papua New Guinea (2014).

2. Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA): The State of Corruption in Indonesia's Forests.

3. Radio New Zealand (RNZ): Report highlights widespread abuse of logging permits in Papua New Guinea (2024).

4. Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI): Sustainable Management of Indigenous Forests in NZ.