Home > Decking > Tropical Rainforest Decking – DO NOT BUY!
For decades, New Zealand has relied heavily on imported tropical hardwood decking products such as Kwila, Garapa, Vitex, and Purple Heart. Many Kiwis see the FSC stamp and assume the timber is sourced sustainably. However, looking deeper often reveals a different story.
Take Kwila for example—it appears on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Widespread illegal logging, coupled with the fact that FSC does not track each log once milled, makes true traceability virtually impossible. That’s why at LMA Timber we supply only PEFC-certified Australian decking. Every log is fully traceable, from the moment it is milled through to its export to New Zealand shores.
Rainforest timbers are frequently harvested unsustainably, contributing to deforestation and loss of biodiversity. Even when certification is claimed, supply chains are difficult to trace. Choosing these timbers risks harming fragile ecosystems.
No. Genuine, sustainable Kwila is extremely rare. The majority available in New Zealand comes from sources where environmental standards cannot be guaranteed even with FSC certification, as this does not trace the log from the time it is milled till export, unlike PEFC certification.
These species deliver Class 1 durability, rich colour variation, and reliable supply chains:
Not necessarily but it is hard to beat the cost of Kwila. There is an abundance of Kwila currently due to less people purchasing and looking for greater sustainable alternatives. While it can appear lower in cost, one must look at ethical / sustainable concerns. Over time, Australian hardwoods provide better value and peace of mind.
We have a clear position: we do not supply rainforest timbers. Our focus is on reclaimed and sustainably managed hardwoods from Australia that combine strength, beauty, and environmental responsibility.
