Transtasman move tipped

The growing strength of the Australian economy is forcing New Zealand-based forestry company Carter Holt Harvey to consider shifting its head office across the Tasman, says chief executive Chris Liddell.

"It's an issue because the relative performance of the two economies has been different over the last few years and in the future we believe Australia is likely to continue to outperform New Zealand from an economic point of view.

"In terms of growth options it presents huge opportunities for us."

Mr Liddell said Australian markets for most of Carter Holt's products were five to 10 times larger than in New Zealand.

However, it was "not necessarily" inevitable that the 100-year-old company would shift its base to Australia.