Building

Legacy

You spend most of your life at home, so you should probably love where you live. If you're comfortable at home, you'll be comfortable anywhere, knowing you have your beautiful personal space awaiting your return.

When you love doing something, it rarely feels like work. That's how it typically feels here on the farm. But it is work, nonetheless, and we do it tirelessly. We love the feeling of giving it our best, and passing on the joy to anyone who chooses to work with us. We enjoy access to New Zealand's finest plantations. Using the best timber gives us that unfair advantage we want for our customers. We are always learning; we don't need to be the best carpenters in the world, but we strive to be the best we can be and that requires a sincere openness to ideas and knowledge - old and new.

As of February, 2026 we have 20 tonnes of freshly harvested English Oak (Quercus robur) stored and curing, ready to be milled. The frames will be cut green and dried in place, ensuring its hidden character is expressed through the years. Planted around 1900 on a plantation near our farm, this majestic 120 year-old timber is as strong as it is beautiful, as wise as it is iconic. For lovers of English Oak, for discerning folk who choose to build for the long-term. 120 years in the making - this is remarkable, premium-grade timber. Bound for commensurately remarkable projects.

Elm is extremely hard to come by anymore due to the kill-off of much of Europe's Elm by Dutch Elm Disease. At Heritage Timbercraft we are incredibly fortunate to have access to beautiful New Zealand grown Elm in limited qualities. A slow growing hardwood, it's among the strongest timber species of all for timber frame construction, and thus sought after for homes in high wind zones or prone to heavy snow loads. Due to its strength, relatively small beams can provide the same strength as far larger beams of timber made from other timber species. Elm is rare, and for the discerning homeowner. It is also surprisingly cost effective when used intelligently. Versatile and suited to a range of uses including barn flooring, stairs and doors.

Originally introduced to New Zealand from the west coast of the U.S.A. - largely owing to its magnificent colour, durability and scent. It has been grown in small plantations as well as shelter belts on farms but although supply is dwindling, Heritage Timbercraft enjoy access to New Zealand's finest Macrocarpa and have a New Zealand-wide durability statement enabling its use as an untreated exterior timber - meaning you definitely do not have to accept chemically treated timbers on your veranda or other outdoor areas. Terrific for trusses, frames, mezzanine floors and cladding, Macrocarpa is unmistakably beautiful when used selectively and treated respectfully.

Douglas-fir is native to North America, and has been grown here in New Zealand commercially since the late 1800s. Much of the Douglas-fir planted 30-40 years ago will be ready to harvest in the next 10-20 years; exciting news for lovers of premium quality timber. Douglas-fir is stronger than Macrocarpa so can handle greater spans, and has a naturally pinkish tone which matures over time. Many folk love its natural colour and enjoy watching its colour change with time, though various oil stains are available to grey it off faster to give it that "older" look.