The examples of innovative timber design in New Zealand are world-leading, and have great potential to be used abroad, especially in areas requiring specialist seismic design. However, there are other lessons that can be learned, even in non-earthquake regions. The co-operation between the local timber supply chain and the design and academic community is an excellent example of maximising the value of a domestic resource, which could provide a useful example to those involved in the 'Grown in Britain' campaign. The fact that direct government funding led to the post-tensioned timber frame of the NMIT building, which has now spawned a number of buildings using the same system (and not required subsidies to be commercially viable), should be taken on board by those looking to increase the use of timber as a mainstream structural material.
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