Mitchpine latest news

Team work makes the dream work!

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 01:17:11 GMT

Team work makes the dream work

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Join us for a Fencing Contractors NZ Best Practice Day

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 22:11:38 GMT

Join us for a Fencing Contractors NZ Best Practice Day

Mitchpine is proud to host this FCANZ Best Practice Day with our friends down at Lewis Farms. Enjoy a day out with FCANZ, with hands-on demonstrations of the latest fencing techniques throughout the day. Best Practice Days are a great opportunity to learn new skills, see the latest fencing gear, and meet like-minded fencing contractors in your region.

MEET: Industry Partners, FCANZ Board members and Fencing Contractors from across the region.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Fencing contractors, fencer generals, horticulture workers, farmers, and those starting or interested in a career in this fast-growing industry.

DATE: 13 October
LOCATION: Lewis Farms, Mitchpine – Horowhenua
TIME: 9.30am to 3.00pm
COST: Includes BBQ lunch

FCANZ Members: $20.00 FCANZ Employee Members: $10.00 Non-Members: $40.00 (25% discount for two or more)
*Special Price for FCANZ Members! $15.00 – just pre-book and pay at least 4 days prior to the event.

New Boundry, New Fence

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 01:01:17 GMT

New Boundary, New Fence: TopLine Ltd

When a property's boundary line changed, it was time for a new fence to mark it properly. Getting a boundary fence right matters — it needs to be accurate, durable, and built to last, so Mitchpine turned to the team Top Line Fencing to get the job done right.

The Brief

A new boundary meant starting the fence line from scratch. The job called for posts and materials strong enough to define the property clearly and stand the test of time, rain or shine.

Topline Fencing on the phone

Matt Jones know Mitchpines product well and have worked together on many projects and the Fencing competition at Field Days Central Districts. Matt has used Mitchpine posts and poles, relying on our products for the strength and longevity the job called for. Post poles form the backbone of any good fence — get that part right, and everything else falls into place. Our products are treated and prepared to handle New Zealand's conditions, so this boundary fence is built to stand firm for years to come.

The Result

With solid Mitchpine posts in the ground and Matts craftsmanship bringing it all together, the property now has a clearly defined, sturdy boundary fence that's secure, functional as it is good-looking.

Looking for quality post poles and timber for your next fencing project? Get in touch with Mitchpine to find out how we can supply your job, anywhere in New Zealand.

Need a fencing contractor? Matt Jones Fencing Contractor Ltd delivers reliable, quality workmanship you can trust. www.toplinefencing.co.nz

A Day Out with the Mitchpine Team: Our Amazing Race

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 23:18:08 GMT

A Day Out with the Mitchpine Team: Our Amazing Race

Thank you for your understanding when we closed our doors on 24th July — it was all in aid of a great cause: getting the whole Mitchpine team together.

With over 80 staff across different departments and spread throughout the country, most days are pretty hectic. So once a year, we down tools and head away from the site to take some time out, have a laugh, and get to know each other a bit better.

Amazing Race, Amazing Day

This year the team headed into town to take on an Amazing Race, with challenges tackled in costume from start to finish. Highlights included:

Crafting outfits entirely out of newspaper
Taking on the hydro slide
A string of other challenges to test teamwork (and nerve!)

Wrapping Up the Day

To finish things off, the team settled in for a quiz and celebrated some well-earned long service awards, recognising the people who've been with us for the long haul:

Joshua Tetau – 15 years
Clinton Murray – 20 years
Craig Rutherford (Normie ) – 30 years
Ross McChesney – 40 years
Dean Edmonds – 40 years

Congratulations to all five on some serious milestones with the Mitchpine team.

It's days like these that remind us what a great bunch of people make up Mitchpine — thanks to everyone who got involved, and thank you again for bearing with us while we were closed to make it happen.

A day in the life - Alan

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:57:21 GMT

A Day in the Life of Alan Tilby – Truck Driver

From the tree to the paddock, a lot goes into getting a fence post in the ground! At Mitchpine, we're lucky to have four fantastic truck drivers helping get our posts, poles and timber to customers. Here's a day in the life of Alan.

It's just after 5:00am when Alan Tilby wraps his hands around the day's first coffee. The staff room hums with early morning voices as the team gathers for a quick Health & Safety toolbox talk, a check on road closures, and a few laughs about the weekend's rugby. Alan, a loyal Warriors fan, never misses the chance for a grin and a "Up the Wahs!"

By 5:30am he's in the cab, heading out to cover the Wairarapa region. The Pahiatua Track winds through farmland and forest as the sun stretches over the horizon. First stop: Eketahuna, for a classic Kiwi smoko and another coffee. Then it's on to Masterton for two deliveries — Farmlands and Carters — handled with the precision of years of experience.

By midday, Alan's back in Eketahuna for lunch at the local cafe, where he's known by name, before his last delivery: a farm out the back of town that only a seasoned driver could find without GPS.

By 2:00pm he's back in the yard, truck empty but still going — joining the loader drivers to help prepare for tomorrow's run.

Alan's days start before sunrise and stretch over hundreds of kilometres, but he wouldn't have it any other way. Working for Mitchpine means seeing New Zealand's scenery from behind the wheel, meeting new people, and being part of a team that keeps things moving.

And every now and then, it's about having the last word at smoko: "Up the Wahs!"

Solving puzzles each day.

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:49:34 GMT

Solving Puzzles Each Day

At Mitchpine, no two orders are quite the same, and that's exactly how our team likes it.

An order comes in, and from there, the real work begins. Seeing what products are in stock and what needs to be made, working out lead times, working with the whole site to get orders finished, organising trucks and coordinating deliveries across the country, working out the best way to load a truck — it's a bit like solving a puzzle. And only the best know how to put all the pieces together.

It's another full day for the Mitchpine team getting orders loaded and out the gate. Rain, hail or snow-like conditions (like today), our crew puts in the hard yards to make sure customers get orders exactly when they need them.

It's the kind of work that often goes unnoticed, happening behind the scenes, out in the yard, on the loaders, and on the road. But it's the backbone of how we do business, and we're proud of the mahi that goes into it every single day.

So next time your order turns up right on time, know that there was a bit of puzzle-solving behind it, and a team that takes real pride in getting it right.

Glenbrook Seawall

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 22:25:45 GMT

Mitchpine pole sitting seaside

Mitchpine products are sitting seaside at a major new project — the Glenbrook Seawall — with H6 treated poles and timber supplied through Mitre 10 Waiuku to the team at Land + Sea Civil.

A Big Project Taking Shape

Seawalls are some of the toughest environments timber can be asked to perform in. With constant exposure to salt water, tidal movement, and shifting ground all put serious demands on the materials used. For a project of this scale, getting the right poles and timber from the start matters, both for the build itself and for how long it lasts once it's in the ground.

That's where Mitchpine's H6 treated poles come in. H6 treatment is built specifically for structures that sit in or near seawater, giving the timber the protection it needs to stand up to marine conditions over the long haul.

Straight From the Team on Site

Timber supply is one thing — hearing it from the crew putting it to work is another. Steve, from Sea and Land Civil, put it simply "these are the best poles his team has seen in years".

It's the kind of feedback that means a lot. Supplying timber for civil projects isn't just about getting product on-site — it's about the contractor trusting that what turns up will do the job, every time.

Watch This Space

The Glenbrook Seawall is still taking shape, and as the project progresses it's shaping up to be a great one to watch — and a great one for photos. We'll be sharing updates as the build continues, so keep an eye out for more from this site.

Mitchpine — supplying H6 poles and timber that hold up where it counts, through trusted partners like Mitre 10 Waiuku

Contractor: Home » Land + Sea Civil

Merchant Store: Mitre 10 Waiuku

New Fitzroy Beach Steps and Ramp Open — Built to Last with Mitchpine Timber

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:33:49 GMT

New Fitzroy Beach Steps and Ramp Open

Fitzroy Beach is one of Taranaki's most-loved stretches of coast, and getting there just got a whole lot easier. A new pedestrian ramp and set of steps connecting Ron Barclay Drive with the carpark opposite the Fitzroy Surf Life Saving Club has now opened, giving locals and visitors a safer, smoother way down to the sand — and the timber used throughout the build is proudly Mitchpine.

Why the Upgrade Was Needed

The old steps down to Fitzroy Beach were aging, steep, and increasingly difficult to navigate, particularly for families with prams, people using mobility scooters, and wheelchair users. New Plymouth District Council took on the project to replace that worn path with something built for everyone, in line with the Council's wider Accessibility Strategy, which aims to make the district's parks, beaches, and reserves genuinely open to all.

It's not a small ask in a district where accessibility matters more each year. Recent Stats NZ figures for New Plymouth show close to one in five residents are now aged 65 or over, and a meaningful share of the population lives with some form of disability or mobility challenge. A beach as popular as Fitzroy needed access that could keep up.

What Was Built

The finished project includes a 140-metre ramp and a 25-metre flight of steps, linking the top of Ron Barclay Drive down to the beachside carpark. Because the site sits on sandy, steep ground, extra engineering care went into the foundations to make sure the structure would hold up to coastal conditions for years to come. Landscaping and planting around the new path were included as part of the roughly $1.4 million project, more than half of which was funded through NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

Mitchpine Finished Job

Outdoor structures like this ask a lot of the timber, sun, salt air, sand, and constant foot traffic don't leave much room for error. That's exactly the kind of environment Mitchpine products are made for. Every product supplied for the Fitzroy, treated and milled right here is Horowhenua to handle demanding outdoor conditions while standing up to the elements year after year.

It's a project we're genuinely proud to have supplied timber for. Knowing that Mitchpine products are part of the path that gets a family with a pram, or someone using a mobility scooter, down to the water is exactly the kind of outcome that makes supplying quality products worthwhile.

A Beach Open to Everyone

With the ramp and steps now complete, Fitzroy Beach is more accessible than it's ever been. Whether it's a midwinter dip now or you wait for the warmer summer weather, a walk along the beach, or a trip to the popular children's pool, more people in the community can now make that trip down to the sand safely and comfortably — on a structure built with quality products made to last.

Our New Roundwood Mill

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:04:11 GMT

Seven Years in the Making: Mitchpine New Roundwood Mill

Seven Years in the Making: Mitchpine Unveils New Zealand's Most Efficient Roundwood Mill

What began as a single shipment of components back in 2021 has grown into something the entire Mitchpine team is proud to stand behind: our new Roundwood Mill!

A Seven-Year Journey

In 2021, Lee Mitchell imported the first components of a new roundwood mill with a clear vision — to build an operation that was safer, indoor, and more productive than anything that had come before it.

Seven years of hard work, dedication, and Lee's intuitive thinking later, that vision has become a reality. The mill is now operational almost full time, marking the culmination of one of the most significant projects in Mitchpine's history.

More Than Just an Investment

This wasn't simply a matter of new equipment arriving and slotting into place. It was a massive undertaking for the whole team. Everyone had to learn a completely new system and technology, work through unexpected challenges, and adapt as the project evolved — step by step, year by year.

What We've Learned

The journey has taught the Mitchpine team a few important lessons:

Good things take time. Building something exceptional doesn't happen overnight — it takes patience and persistence.
We're capable of tackling big challenges. Seven years of problem-solving has proven what the team can achieve when it commits to a goal.
The results speak for themselves. Mitchpine now operates a state-of-the-art roundwood mill — the most efficient of its kind in New Zealand — and it's one the whole team genuinely loves working with.

Looking Ahead

This milestone represents more than a new piece of machinery. It's a testament to what's possible when clear vision, determination, and teamwork come together over the long haul. Mitchpine is proud to bring this new capability online and looks forward to the next chapter of safer, smarter, and more productive operations.

Health and Safety but make it cool...

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 23:32:20 GMT

Building a Safer Mitchpine: The Story Behind Our Health & Safety Culture

Building a Safer Mitchpine: The Story Behind Our Health & Safety Culture

How one person's genuine commitment to the wellbeing of others has shaped the way we work — and the way we look out for each other.

A safe and healthy workplace doesn't happen by accident. It takes consistent effort, genuine care, and someone willing to champion it every single day. At Mitchpine, that person is Pat Mason, our Health, Safety and Compliance Manager.

Since stepping into the role, Pat has done far more than meet compliance requirements. He has built real relationships across every department, earning the trust and respect of staff through daily toolbox talks and an open-door approach that makes it easy for anyone to raise a concern or share an idea.

Pat's focus has always been on people first. He introduced tailored safety training programmes designed around different departments and roles, ensuring every team member has the knowledge to identify and manage risk in their environment. Alongside this, he carries out regular safety audits and risk assessments — acting swiftly to eliminate or reduce hazards before they become problems.

What sets Pat apart is his understanding that looking after people means looking after the whole person. He has championed wellbeing initiatives that support mental and emotional health, not just physical safety, helping to reduce stress and improve how we all show up at work.

The results speak for themselves. Our ACC Experience Rating recently came back with a 24.53% levy discount — a saving of $12,555.83 — placing Mitchpine in the top performance band. Our ACC relationship manager described it as an excellent outcome, noting that a similar business would be very pleased with a result like ours. That result is a direct reflection of the safety culture Pat has worked hard to build.

But numbers only tell part of the story. Pat is a mentor, a sounding board, and a trusted presence across the business. He makes time for people — whether the issue is on the floor or outside of work — and leads always with compassion and a genuine desire to help. Because of Pat, Mitchpine is not just a safer place to work. It is a better one.

A day in the life of Amanda

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 23:29:50 GMT

A week with Amanda

Not everyone on the Mitchpine team works from the yard in Horowhenua. Some of them are out on the road, covering serious ground, building relationships with customers, and representing us at events . Amanda Rodgers is one of those people.

Amanda is our Central North Island Business Development Manager, based in Taupō. Her patch takes in a huge chunk of the North Island, and last week she made the most of every day of it.

On the road

The week kicked off with a run of customer visits — Te Puke, Papamoa, Taupō, and Rotorua all got a visit. That's a lot of kilometres, a lot of conversations, and a lot of relationship-building that quietly underpins everything Mitchpine does out in the market.

Mid-week, Amanda was at a trade breakfast at PlaceMakers Whakatāne — a great opportunity to connect with existing customers and meet some new faces over a decent feed.

Out at the events

Friday saw Amanda helping set up at the NZ Young Farmers Waikato Bay of Plenty regional event at Te Teko Racecourse. Saturday she was back again, this time as a judge — overseeing contestants tackling a sheep fencing challenge and a planter box build. If you want to know who understands timber in the real world, watch a Young Farmers event.

The weather had other ideas early on, but cleared just in time for the action. Classic NZ.

Fuelled by good coffee

A week like that runs on caffeine, and Amanda's go-to is the Steaming Bean Caravan on the Taupō lakefront. Great coffee, great views — a worthy pitstop between customers.

Back home

The week wrapped up the best way possible — watching her son in action at kickboxing. Then home to make dinner, rewind, and get ready to do it all again.

Amanda's week is a good reminder that Mitchpine's reach extends well beyond Horowhenua. From merchant relationships in the Bay of Plenty to industry events in the Waikato, our team is out there every week making it happen.

Mitchpine is a third-generation family sawmill based in Horowhenua, supplying treated timber, posts, poles and more to merchant stores across New Zealand.

Meet Sam

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 23:20:57 GMT

Meet Same

20 Years of Knowing How It's Done

Great timber doesn't just happen. It's the result of knowledge, teamwork, and people who take genuine pride in what they do. At Mitchpine, we're lucky to have a few of those people who've been here long enough to become part of the place itself. Sam Hamera Ponga is one of them.

Sam is a Machine Operator who has been with Mitchpine for over 20 years. He's the kind of person the whole team looks up to — reliable, easy going, and unassuming. He's not the loudest person in the room, but when Sam speaks, people listen. That's what two decades of experience does.

Ask him what a day looks like and he'll tell you: "Every day is different — fast, slow, really good." That ability to take whatever the day throws at you and get on with it is exactly the kind of attitude that keeps a busy sawmill running smoothly.

Over his time at Mitchpine, Sam has trained in post peeling, grading, driving, and operating most of the machinery on site. That breadth of knowledge makes him invaluable — and means he genuinely understands every part of the process his timber goes through. His favourite part of the job? "We have a good team of workers who know how to do their job well." Even his answer is about the people around him.

One more thing worth mentioning — Sam hasn't stopped smiling since the new round wood mill started up. We'll take that as a good sign.

Outside of work, Sam tends to his kai garden and keeps it simple with fruit and water on his breaks. When the ice cream truck rolls in though, it's a choc double dip. Every time. And as for memorable moments? "Once or twice I may have come to work on a public holiday." Twenty years in, he's earned the right to tell that story however he likes.

Thank you Sam. Twenty years and counting — we hope there are plenty more to come.

Mitchpine is a third-generation family sawmill based in Horowhenua, supplying treated timber, posts, poles and more to merchant stores across New Zealand.

Meet Melvyn

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:04:10 GMT

The Man Who Got the Roundwood Mill Humming

When Mitchpine launched its new roundwood mill, someone had to get the team trained, motivated, and firing on all cylinders. That someone was Melvyn.

As newly appointed foreman of the Roundwood Mill, Melvyn has been a cornerstone of Mitchpine for nearly 12 years. His role sits right at the intersection of operations and people — and he's good at both. When the new mill came online, Melvyn took on the challenge of bringing the team up to speed, building confidence in new processes, and making sure everything ran the way it was supposed to. By all accounts, he nailed it.

A typical day starts with a clear head and a plan. Melvyn checks which orders need urgent attention, organises the team, and makes sure everyone knows what's happening before the day gets away on them. It's the kind of quiet, steady leadership that doesn't always get noticed — but without it, things fall apart fast.

Over nearly 12 years, Melvyn has trained a huge number of people across machines, quality control, and safety. "Helping others grow is something I'm proud of," he says — and it shows. His favourite part of the job is learning new things and connecting with people right across the site, which might explain why he's so good at bringing others along with him.

Outside of work, Melvyn is out hunting or fishing, or at home with family. At the yard, he keeps himself fuelled on pies, or chicken and chips — and he'll be the first to tell you why. When the ice cream truck comes around, he orders the works. No half measures.

If he had control of the radio, you'd be hearing 94.6 Channel X across the yard.

Twelve years in, a new mill up and running, and a team that knows what they're doing. That's a pretty good innings, Melvyn. Thank you.

Built with Mitchpine: Bridge It NZ Upgrades a Papamoa Community Reserve

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 22:31:30 GMT

Papamoa Bridge

When the team at Bridge It NZ took on a bridge upgrade at a much-loved reserve in Papamoa, they needed timber that could do the job properly — safe, durable, and at home in a natural setting. They chose Mitchpine.

The project centred on replacing an aging structure with something the community could rely on for years to come. The brief was clear: improve safety for all users, build for long-term performance with minimal maintenance, and create an upgrade that sits comfortably within its surroundings rather than standing out from them.

The result speaks for itself. The new bridge delivers a safer, more accessible crossing for everyone who visits the reserve — from families and dog walkers to cyclists and local runners. It's built to handle heavy use without demanding constant upkeep, and the finish complements the natural environment rather than competing with it.

We're proud that Mitchpine products played a part in this project. It's exactly the kind of outcome we have in mind when timber leaves our yard in Horowhenua — structures that do their job well, look good doing it, and last.

Have a project built with Mitchpine? We'd love to hear about it and share your story.

The team at Bridge It NZ recently completed a bridge upgrade at a much-loved reserve in Papamoa — delivering a safer, more durable connection for the community.

The goal

Create a structure that improves safety, stands up to heavy use, and blends seamlessly into the natural surroundings.

The outcome?

Safer, more accessible connection for all users
Built for long-term performance with minimal maintenance
A clean, thoughtful upgrade that complements the environment

Proud to see this project built to last with Mitchpine products.

Mitchpine latest news

Team work makes the dream work!

Team work makes the dream work

Join us for a Fencing Contractors NZ Best Practice Day

Join us for a Fencing Contractors NZ Best Practice Day

New Boundry, New Fence

New Boundary, New Fence: TopLine Ltd

A Day Out with the Mitchpine Team: Our Amazing Race

A Day Out with the Mitchpine Team: Our Amazing Race

A day in the life - Alan

A Day in the Life of Alan Tilby – Truck Driver

Solving puzzles each day.

Solving Puzzles Each Day ﻿

Glenbrook Seawall

Mitchpine pole sitting seaside

New Fitzroy Beach Steps and Ramp Open — Built to Last with Mitchpine Timber

New Fitzroy Beach Steps and Ramp Open

Our New Roundwood Mill

Seven Years in the Making: Mitchpine New Roundwood Mill

Health and Safety but make it cool...

Building a Safer Mitchpine: The Story Behind Our Health & Safety Culture

A day in the life of Amanda

A week with Amanda

Meet Sam

Meet Same

Meet Melvyn

The Man Who Got the Roundwood Mill Humming

Built with Mitchpine: Bridge It NZ Upgrades a Papamoa Community Reserve

Papamoa Bridge ﻿

Solving Puzzles Each Day

Papamoa Bridge