Timber is an integral part of Aotearoa’s architecture, celebrated for its beauty, strength and sustainability. In our latest Timber Talk video, we sit down with leading New Zealand architect and academic, Professor Anthony Hōete, to discuss the role of timber in shaping our built environment now and into the future.

A professor at the University of Auckland and a passionate advocate for sustainable design, Anthony brings a unique perspective to timber construction. In the video, he explores how timber is not only a practical building material but also a medium for cultural expression, deeply connected to Māori traditions and our modern architectural identity.

From building a strong local timber manufacturing industry to innovations in engineered timber, he highlights the exciting opportunities timber presents.  

Building better building consent pathways

Anthony isn’t just a strong advocate for timber in building design, he’s also passionate about making the design and construction process more efficient, starting with a smoother building consent process. 

In his ModelDocs: Transforming Building Consenting Behaviour for Better Housing report for BRANZ, Anthony emphasised the importance of a building approvals process that helps us meet the demand for new homes. 

With an estimated 45,000-50,000 new homes needed in New Zealand in 2025, Anthony says: “To speed up construction and reduce building costs in Aotearoa New Zealand, building consenting needs to be faster and more efficient.”

One of the biggest holdups according to Anthony’s report? Missing documentation, including Producer Statements and CodeMarks.

At Prolam, we’re actively working to be part of the solution to this problem. Our online specification tool, the Prolam Specifier, automatically generates PS1 Certificates required for building approvals, and our H5 Posts are CodeMark certified. We’ve also formatted the documents for easy review by Building Consent Officers – saving time and reducing the potential delays in this critical project stage.

A huge thank you to Anthony for sharing his insights! We wholeheartedly share his belief in a strong, smart and sustainable building industry, backed by innovations in engineered timber.