This National News item ran on the 9th of December 2006,it was my strong views against  Ancient Kauri Logs being exported that sparked the story.I discovered that New Zealands precious native Ancient Kauri which is the most unique oldest working timber in the world, is being shipped in huge amounts to predominantly the US.I have huge concerns for the  woodwork industry in New Zealand as a whole,the price of Ancient Kauri is being pushed out of reach for small businesses,trying to survive in this extremely competitive industry.Selling this incredibly rare resource in its raw form is detrimental to the economic growth of  so many businesses in New Zealand.The finest cuts of timber such as quartersawn,whitebait and flamed grades are now becoming increasingly harder to find.These Ancient Kauri trees are dug up out of the ground ,therefore knowone actually knows how many trees are left.I want to know this precious resource is in safe hands and is being managed well for the future. New Zealand could do without  another tragic loss of  a native treasure,like most of the giant Kauri forests,and Rimu trees were last century.