Why New Zealand-made timber is having a second moment
Written by
19 July 2026
•
2 min read
As architects place greater emphasis on material provenance, long-term performance and resilient supply chains, where a product is manufactured is becoming almost as important as what it is made from.
That shift is reflected in the latest timber cladding ranges from ITI NZ and its manufacturing partner, Hermpac. Produced at Hermpac's Marsden Point facility in Northland, CedarOne Evolve and CedarLine Evolve pair the enduring appeal of Western Red Cedar with a manufacturing process designed to maximise material efficiency and deliver greater consistency for contemporary architecture.
While Western Red Cedar has long been recognised as one of the world's premium exterior timbers, the two ranges respond to different architectural expressions. CedarOne Evolve is manufactured from vertical grain cedar to create a clean, knot-free appearance with exceptional dimensional stability and an even finish for stains and coatings. CedarLine Evolve retains more of the timber's natural grain variation, celebrating the warmth and character that have made cedar a longstanding favourite for residential architecture.
Both products are manufactured in New Zealand using PEFC-certified timber, with shorter clear sections finger-jointed to maximise recovery from every log. The result is a more efficient use of the resource while enabling consistent long board lengths that offer architects greater design flexibility.
The ranges also reflect changing specification requirements. Alongside natural weathering or factory-coated finishes, both CedarOne Evolve and CedarLine Evolve can be supplied with Zone Vanguard impregnated fire-retardant treatment, allowing genuine Western Red Cedar to be specified where Building Code spread-of-flame requirements apply.
Rather than reinventing cedar, Hermpac has refined how it is manufactured. The result is a product that retains the natural warmth, grain and longevity associated with Western Red Cedar while responding to the practical realities of contemporary construction, from sustainability and compliance through to locally made supply.
Explore ITI NZ and browse CedarOne Evolve, CedarLine Evolve, timber cladding and on ArchiPro. Discover how New Zealand-manufactured timber products are being specified across contemporary residential and commercial architecture.