New Zealanders can't compete with government-backed buyers from China and Russia, wood processing and manufacturing boss Jon Tanner says.
Carter Holt Harvey has halted supply of structural timber to ITM, Mitre10 and Bunnings but not to its subsidiary or Fletcher's Placemakers chain.
NZX has granted Precinct a waiver so it doesn't need to get shareholder approval to buy the management contract for $215 million.
There might be a practical way for the government to help ease the timber shortage.