Our story spans more than 150 years and is deeply connected to the development of New Zealand’s forestry, manufacturing and export industries.
Our earliest roots date back to 1874, when timber milling and paper-making began laying the foundations for what would become one of the country’s most significant fire-based manufacturing sectors.
Overtime, our business evolved through a series of industry shifts,mergers, joint-ventures and changes in ownership (refer to interactive timeline below), reflecting the changing needs of customers, markets and the environment. These transitions – from early forestry operations, through the Carter Holt Harvey era, to becoming Oji Fibre Solutions following the acquisition by OJI Holding Corporation in Japan in 2014 – mark an ongoing journey of adaptation, scale and reinvention.
Throughout this history, our core capability has remained consistent: manufacturing market kraft pulp and fibre-based packaging from renewable, low-carbon wood fibre. As part of the global Oji Group, we have combined deep local expertise with international scale, technology and innovation, strengthening our role at the early stages of the supply chain and supporting the shift toward a circular bioeconomy.
Our history is not defined simply by longevity, but by our ability to evolve - reshape our portfolio, footprint and ways of working when needed, while continuing to support New Zealand’s primary industries, exporters and communities.
Understanding where we’ve come from helps explain who we are today, and why adaptability, resilience and sustainability remain central to our future.
Robert Holt’s steam sawmill opens.
Alex Harvey commences tin-can manufacturing.
First Carter sawmill venture.
Formation of NZ Forest Products (NZFP).
Kinleith Mill build is completed by NZFP and production commenced
Merger of Carter & Holt operations into Carter Holt Holdings.
Penrose Mill commissioned by NZ Forest Products Ltd
Carter Holt acquires AHI to form Carter Holt Harvey (CHH).
Carter Holt Harvey acquires NZ Forest Products.
International Paper acquires 50.1 % of CHH.
Purchase of Tasman Pulp Mill.
Acquisition of Carter Holt Harvey by Rank Group
Sale of Carter Holt Harvey Ltd's pulp, paper and packaging business to Oji Holdings and INCJ, to form Oji Fibre Solutions.
Upgrade of Paper Bag facility in Auckland
Purchase of Cardboard Carton Solutions in Victoria, Australia
Opening of new packaging facility, Packaging Queensland, in Yatala, Australia.
Entered into a joint venture partnership with Netlogix, to form Bearing360
3-year transformation of Tasman Mill completed, eliminating the need for coal and delivering GHG reductions.
Worksafe NZ acceptance of Kinleith Mill safety case, as meeting Health and Safety at Work (Major Hazard Facilities) Regulations 2016.
Purchase of Stoneleigh Forest near Te Kuiti, New Zealand.
FSC® & PEFC Chain of Custody certification achieved across all manufacturing sites.
Purchase of Ngaruawahia and Waihora forests in the North Island of New Zealand.
Oji Holdings Corporation acquires 100% ownership of Oji Fibre Solutions, purchasing INCJ Ltd's shareholding
Opening of new packaging facility, Packaging Southern, in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Purchase of certain Norske Skog land, buildings and other assets in Kawerau.
Purchase of Cassowary Coast Cartons Pty Ltd in Innisfail, Far North Queensland (FNQ)
Bearing360 joint venture disestablished, with its shipping operations incorporated into Lodestar
Penrose Mill decomissioned by Oji Fibre Solutions
Shepparton packaging distribution centre in Victoria, Australia, disestablished
PM6 Paper Machine decommissioned at Kinleith Mill
Sale of Packaging Australia (corrugated) business to The Abbe Group.
Sale of Foodservice Packaging business in Australia to Skid Paper Packaging.
Sale of Fullcircle paper recovery and recycling service in New Zealand to Northland Waste
