About Us

The history of the New Zealand Timber Design Society

The New Zealand Timber Design Society (TDS) was established in 1978 by Trevor Mitchell of the Ministry of Works and Development, alongside a group of pioneering engineers and researchers, to advance the understanding and application of timber in structural design. Formed as a technical group under IPENZ (now Engineering New Zealand), the Society was founded with a constitution that clearly defined its objective: to foster the advancement and dissemination of knowledge relating to the design of timber structures and elements. This mission has guided TDS for over four decades.
 

From organising the first Pacific Timber Engineering Conference in 1984 to supporting the development of key design tools and educational resources, TDS has played a central role in promoting timber as a sustainable, innovative, and structurally sound material. The Society has also contributed significantly to national and international standards development, with members actively participating in Standards New Zealand committees and harmonisation efforts with Australia.
 

Today, TDS continues to be a hub for engineers, architects, researchers, and industry professionals. Through seminars, scholarships, the Timber Design Journal, and its online platform, the Society supports excellence in timber design and construction. With a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and collaboration, TDS remains at the forefront of timber design in New Zealand, bridging its rich legacy with a forward-looking vision for the built environment.

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Our Objectives
To foster and improve the design of timber structures through the advancement and dissemination of knowledge with a New Zealand focus.

Our Activities Include:

• Dissemination of up-to-date information, technical or non-technical, related to timber design, manufacturing and construction processes and techniques. 

• Publication of technical papers, including research reports, technical notes, reports on successful design and construction methods, design procedures and sample designs. 

• Establishment and maintenance of direct communication and liaison with any other organisation with objectives similar to those of the Society. 

• Promotion of applicable and relevant standards to ensure the economic and efficient use of timber buildings and other structures. 

• Arrangement of conferences, seminars, webinars and symposia at international, national and local levels. 

• Formation of branches and specialist groups. 

• Initiation and maintenance of our support for research in timber design, manufacturing and construction processes and techniques. 

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From early on TDS was aligned as a technical group of the Institute of Professional Engineers of New Zealand (IPENZ) (now Engineering New Zealand) as many members were engineers, however membership has always been open to other people with an interest in timber design such as architects and scientists.