Timber scientist's leaky connection

Wood mycologist Robin Wakeling with two samples of timber. The one on the left is pink H1.2 timber, the one on the right is the new orange T1.2 timber. File picture / Martin Sykes

A conflict of interest has emerged in the professional life of the scientist who sparked the new scare over leaky homes.

Dr Robin Wakeling, who raised the alarm over a new timber product, works for the manufacturer's main competitor.

In an interview, the scientist acknowledged his employer, Primaxa, could benefit financially from his claims a new timber in the building market would rot easily.

The timber, called T1.2, is treated with a product called TimberSaver, manufactured by Wiri-based Osmose NZ. The other main timber on the market is sold by Koppers Arch, which has wood protection treatment developed by Primaxa.

Dr Wakeling came to prominence last week when National MP Nick Smith launched an attack on the government over the approval and use of the T1.2 timber.

Dr Smith cited Dr Wakeling's expertise in news releases last week without revealing the connection to Primaxa. He said yesterday he was aware of the connection but did not see it as relevant.

TVNZ's Close Up also used Dr Wakeling as the main scientific expert speaking on the timber. In news reports Dr Wakeling was referred to as a "former Forest Research scientist and now a consultant on leaky building issues".

When questioned by the Herald on Sunday, Dr Wakeling said: "I'm an employee of Primaxa", confirming that he ran a research project for Primaxa in Rotorua, and consulted on leaky buildings.

Primaxa's website also features Dr Wakeling, describing him as the country's "leading authority" on microbiological studies of the decay of wooden structures.

However, Dr Wakeling said his employment with the new timber's main competition did not have an effect on his views.

"I strongly object to the position that product takes as far as misinformation to the consumer. I think anyone who finds themselves in that position, regardless of their affiliation, has a right to share that view."

Asked if Primaxa was likely to benefit commercially as a result of his stand against T1.2, he said: "It is a possibility."

Dr Wakeling also agreed timber used for building would not rot if it were protected from the weather, and if houses were properly built.

Building Minister Chris Carter has launched an inquiry into T1.2 timber, in a bid to discover if Dr Wakeling's claims are true.

He launched the inquiry before being emailed by wood preservation scientist Jeanette Drysdale, an independent expert who sits on the New Zealand Standards Committee that approved the wood, and executive of the International Research Group on Wood Protection.

A copy of the email, obtained by the Herald on Sunday, shows Ms Drysdale told Mr Carter she was concerned over the "hysteria" building around T1.2 timber.

She wrote that the testing of T1.2 timber was more rigorous than other products went through. "I am confident that this framing product will perform extremely well under the conditions of use..."

She went on to say the product's CodeMark appraisal documentation - its regulatory stamp of approval - carried strict instructions of use, as did all other approved timber products on the market.

Dr Smith said his concerns about the timber remained, from the name of the product to its efficacy. He said the timber was called T1.2 because it mimicked the Government-standard H1.2 - but was nothing more than a brand name.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY