In 1979 two neighbouring Dairy Farmers, Kevin Riley and Rodney Green decided to build a small sawmill for Milling their own trees into timber, to use on their farms and for building boats, which they were doing as a hobby at the time. The original Breast Bench and Twin Saw Breakdown Carriage was built and installed during 1979 and was originally driven by a M.F.135 Tractor driving through a heavy Flywheel. The mill was underpowered to say the least and soon it was driven by a M.F.165 Tractor.
At this time (Early 1980) the National Government started building the 'Think Big' energy projects near Waitara and Kaimata Sawmill successfully won the contract to mill Heavy Dunnage and other timber for these projects. Staff were employed and a small 'Pacific' Breakdown Bench was added to the Mill. Electric power was connected at this time and the Mill converted to Electricity.
In 1988 Kevin Riley sold his share of the Mill to Trevor Turner who together with Rodney installed a 30m3 Kiln to dry the timer. Exports of random width clears and stairs components were made to Australia and the U.S.A. through a remanufacturing plant at Inglewood. A solid door core manufacturing machine was installed and containers of door core were exported to Australia.
After about 2 years of manufacturing in Inglewood Rodney and Trevor Turner sold a 3/4 share in the Mill to 3 investors with Rodney remaining as Managing Director. The re-manufacturing plant was closed and it was decided to install another 30m3 Kiln to cope with the increasing demand for kiln dried timber.
In 2006 two of the investors sold their shares to Rodney and Michael Finnigan who now continue to operate in the Local and Export market specialising in cut to length turning squares and kiln dried Pinus Radiata Clears for the furniture market. Furniture components are sent as far north as Mangaturoto and South to Timaru and Greymouth with many customers in-between. Exports are made by container to Australia on a regular basis. Export Quality Boxes and Crates are made in our Box Factory with no Box or Pellet too big or small for us to make. The mill is certified to Heat Treat timber for export under the ISPM mark.
Kaimata Sawmill was involved in cutting most of the timber for the movie 'The Last Samurai' filmed in Taranaki in 2002-2003