WELCOME TO WHAKATIPU TIMBER CO.
QUEENSTOWN'S LOCAL SAWMILLMILL, FORESTRY & TIMBER SPECIALISTS
![12[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4adb7c_38ce5d963e3a4329b59936e4b51127fe~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_707,h_518,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/4adb7c_38ce5d963e3a4329b59936e4b51127fe~mv2.jpg)
Heading 5
ABOUT WHAKATIPU TIMBER CO.
We offer full forestry and tree management services, from small-scale tree removal through to large plantation work. We run a low impact operation ensuring minimal damage and disturbance to your site by using modern European forestry equipment. This allows us to safely and efficiently extract, move, and process your trees on site, and offer a range of options to maximise the return on your trees.
![20260107_164709[1]_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4adb7c_dcf9bb689d884e63a9f1f8c288430c24~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_89,y_31,w_2571,h_1301/fill/w_542,h_274,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/20260107_164709%5B1%5D_edited.jpg)
Whakatipu Timber Ltd works with councils, developers, and contractors to deliver large-scale forestry, chipping, and site-clearance projects. Our operations meet health, safety, and environmental compliance requirements, and our mechanised fleet is built to produce consistent results, safely and at scale.
We value sustainability, good quality timber products, with a strong focus on keeping it local. We aim to use every part of the tree in order to reduce waste while creating one of a kind timber products. We are proud to service the Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago, and Southland regions with timber and forestry solutions tailored to local needs. We also maintain a strong safety culture in line with New Zealand Forestry standards.
Using our Lucas Mill portable sawmill and in-yard milling setup, we process logs into high-quality specialty timbers. We supply posts, beams, and slabs through custom orders for builders, joiners, landscapers, and contractors who need durable, locally sourced timber.
With our Heizohack 10-500 chipper, we turn logs, forestry slash, and sawmill offcuts into valuable woodchip & biomass, which can be used in landscaping, playgrounds, footpaths and biofuel boilers. The sawdust and fine chip we produce through our sawmill is used for animal bedding, compost and horticulture projects. We chip on-site for clients or can deliver bulk loads of chip and sawdust across the region.
![9[1]_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4adb7c_cd830f1fba034ea4a47995ec26fb71b1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_343,h_466,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9%5B1%5D_edited.jpg)
Whakatipu Timber Co is a locally owned and operated timber and forestry business based in the Queenstown Lakes district. We pride ourselves on providing reliable, sustainable, and professional services to landowners, councils, and contractors throughout Otago and Southland.
![20260121_102450[1]_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4adb7c_398f9285259e46979245c14f01648b14~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_610,h_338,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/20260121_102450%5B1%5D_edited.jpg)
![20251120_092550[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4adb7c_c6dea08e4a5844559f6443e8c2fdb0ba~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_189,h_338,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/20251120_092550%5B1%5D.jpg)
With our commitment to innovation, Whakatipu Timber Ltd is continually building capability to meet the region’s growing demand for sustainable timber, biomass, and forestry services.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Whakatipu Timber Co. was founded in 2022 by Richard Gunston, a local Arrowtown arborist, whose spent the past 10 years working in Central Otago. During this time he found that too often trees would be turned into firewood, so he set about saving, collecting and sourcing logs of all species and sizes and milling them into usable timber. What started out as a passion for finding beautiful wood through local friends and colleagues, has now turned into a nation wide hunt for the most exquisite logs New Zealand has to offer.
We are aware of the need for quality timber that has been sourced locally and sustainably in the district, and know that woodworkers from all over are in search of that one-of-a-kind piece. With this, we have gone the extra mile to make sure all our native timber is MPI certified, and all our exotic non-native timber has been cut for repurposing.
Richard's journey started with a hands-on interest in timber and sawmilling and has quickly grown into a full-scale operation supplying specialty timbers and forestry services across the region. As the business developed, he recognised the huge potential in large scale wood chipping as a way to reduce waste while creating a valuable product. He invested in a Heizohack 10-500 whole tree chipper and has expanded the company's capability from small-scale sawmilling into large-scale forestry, chipping, and timber supply. His forward thinking approach means the business continues to grow - taking on new projects, investing in new equipment and building long term partnerships with councils, builders, joiners and contractors throughout Otago and Southland.
