1948

Progress Valley harvesting Rimu for Niagara Sawmill, 1948.

1967

Kennington Sawmill, 1967 (Mill constructed in 1966). This original headrig is still in use today.

1975

Niagara International log loader, Pebbly Hills Forest.

1950

Native beam being delivered to Mokoreta Sawmill by Southern Transport.

1945

International truck carting native timber.

1930

New Zealand native log, Southland.

1997

Kiln fire, replaced with Windsor batch kilns.

2010

Niagara Kennington site.
Niagara Sawmill Logo

NIAGARA
SAWMILLING

Precision | Innovation | Sustainability

Niagara brings together cutting-edge technology and experience to deliver the highest-quality timber products. Niagara has been sawmilling since 1935 and has a proud history of responsible forestry and timber processing. A great deal of effort and experience goes into producing a quality product and with decades entrenched in the sawmilling business Niagara is at the forefront, a world-class leader in its field.

READ
MORe

Sawn Timber Grades

Craigpine

READ
MORe

Finger Jointed Timber

Niagara

Our Technology
Sustainable Operations

We believe in responsible forestry. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in every aspect of our operation, from sourcing timber from certified forests to optimising our processes for minimal environmental impact.

Advanced Sawing Technology

Our state-of-the-art sawmilling equipment ensures precision cuts every time. From log breakdown to the final product, our machines are designed to maximise yield and minimise waste, delivering products with exact specifications.

Automated Grading Systems

Quality is our top priority. Our automated grading systems use the latest scanning technology to assess each piece of wood for strength, appearance, and consistency, ensuring that only the best timber makes it into our products.

Kiln Drying

Our computerised kiln-drying process carefully controls temperature and humidity to achieve the perfect moisture content for each piece of wood. This ensures stability, durability, and a product that will stand the test of time.

Our Capability

Industry leading timber manufacturers

With sawmills and remanufacturing plants located in the South Island and distribution centres throughout New Zealand, we are committed to producing the highest-quality products on the market, delivered on time, every time.

Currently Processing Over

160,000m3

of timber per annum

Niagara and Craigpine sawmills are driven by both the demands of our remanufacturing business, and the need to ensure we maximise every ounce of fibre out of every log that we process. We achieve this through a continued investment in the latest technology and diversification of our business to utilise all aspects of the log.

With Drying Capacity Exceeding

260,000m3

of timber per annum

Niagara is positioned to be able to handle further growth in our sawmilling business. The investment in the continuous kiln complex has given Niagara greater control over the moisture consistency in our timber, whilst all heated water required by the kilns is produced from sustainable wood residues.

Timeline

Our History

For 90 years, Niagara Sawmilling has been instrumental in shaping the New Zealand timber industry through bold innovations.

Beginnings
Niagara Sawmilling Company Ltd is established in the small Southland settlement of Niagara.
Progress Valley harvesting Rimu for Niagara Sawmill. Rail tractor.
1935
1954
Ownership
Richardson family purchase whole ownership of Niagara and begins to consolidate three sawmills to one site.
New Foundations
Niagara builds a new sawmill on its present site at Kennington, seven kilometres east of Invercargill.
Kennington Sawmill, 1967 (Mill constructed in 1966).
This original headrig is still in use today.
1966
1980
Development
Plant and production continue to grow with sales extending into international markets.
Expansion
Mill expansion which increased cutting capacity from 33m³/day to 33m³/hour.
2002
2005
Expansion
Niagara purchases Pacific Timber, a remanufacturing plant located in Ashburton to operate as a central South Island site.
Aerial view of the Niagara kennington site, 2010.
2010
2011
Product Diversity
Niagara releases the new Envira Weatherboard System offering three styles of weatherboards and a fully specified component system.
New McDonough twin horizontal saw installed allowing significant lift in ability to cut 25mm efficiently.
2015
2018
Remanufacturing Expansion
Niagara commence stage 1 of a remanufacturing upgrade, installing 3 cutlines and 2 finger jointers.
Nationwide
Niagara purchases Jointwood Products in Cambridge as their North Island production and distribution base.
Remanufacturing Expansion
3 moulders, 2 paint lines and 1 packaging line set up at the Kennington site.
2019
2020
Expansion
Niagara purchases Craigpine Timber in Winton as a secondary sawmilling site.

Stage 2 of the remanufacturing upgrade is completed with third finger jointer and fourth cutline installed.
Craigpine sawmill at Winton, Southland.
Installation of a new USNR scanning system at the Kennington sawmill.
2021
2023
Expansion
Niagara builds a new wood pellet plant.
Upgrade
Kiln complex upgraded, and a second boiler  installed.
Niagara kiln complex at the Kennington Site.
Aerial view of the Niagara kennington site, 2024.
2024
2025
Remanufacturing Expansion
A new shed is being constructed to support the ongoing expansion of remanufacturing operations at the Kennington site.

Craigpine

1923 - 2023

CRAIGPINE
SAWMILL

Craigpine was established in 1923 as Port Craig Timber. A company with a long and rich history, Craigpine has been exporting timber for over 100 years. Craigpine currently export high quality sawn Radiata Pine to over 22 markets around the world. Craigpine hope to be at the forefront of forestry internationally for at least another 100 years.

Our operations

Niagara
sawmilling
operations

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Kennington Southland

Kennington Sawmill
Remanufacturing and Distribution Centre

The company was originally established in the small Southland country settlement of Niagara and has been wholly owned by the Richardson family since 1954. It graduated from three sawmills to its present site at Kennington on the outskirts of Invercargill.

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Winton Southland

Winton Sawmill

In 2020, Craigpine became part of Niagara. Since then, it has seamlessly transitioned into a thriving sawmill operation that complements Niagara’s primary facility in Kennington. This integration allows Craigpine to build on its rich legacy while playing a key role in the growth and success of Niagara’s wider operations.

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