Manawatu Woodworkers Guild

Manawatu Woodworking Guild member highlight re-introduces Seb, a stalwart of Thursday night carving. His patient guidance provides new carvers a congenial learning environment, with solid advice and hands on instruction. His love of carving is self-evident, with an extremely diverse series of works and comes paired with very reasonable offers to help him reduce his hoard of carving prepped timber. Touch base with Seb at the Guild (38 Ferguson Street, Palmerston North), on Thursday nights, between 7:00 - 9:00PM.

Third Monday of the month (24th of August), saw the guild showcasing their recent projects and Gary highlighted the improvements made with new tool rests and the colour coding of the wrenches (tan for tan machines, red for red machines...).

Once projects were briefed and admired, the Hands On session commenced and saw a bevy of projects on the go, with the workshop being a ballet of machines to workstations and back again.

Another great night!

P.S. Rug up out there, with a slight delay to the post due to flu making it's rounds.

Thursday night at the guild was a blast! Keeping up with the new carvers saw Seb, Brian and Carl up on their toes, with Jean taking the first steps of carving straight lines with a vee chisel. Trisha worked her way through a tricky piece of matai before graduating to a much more forgiving piece of macrocarpa. Jimmy made solid progress on his totara practice board and Kitty carefully crafted a nifty phone holder on the scroll saws.

Intermediate turning saw Tom patiently working through a couple of new bowls and Andrews trophy evolved into a side table, with Bronwyn putting the finishing touches on a number of components. Johns patient guidance saw us through a solid evening of projects, with his work showcased below, a beautiful platter and stunning bowl!

A fine turnout led by Brian, Seb, Connie, John, Tom and Carl.

A rather busy Thursday evening at the guild tonight with Scroll Sawing, Hand Carving, Intermediate Wood Turning and rakau preparation (7:00 - 9:00PM).

Bryan and Seb were welcomed back after a seven week hiatus (you were both missed!), with Toni having a solid go at finishing off her vase, cheered on by Bronwyn, with John keeping the task on point.

Andrew is close to finishing off his trophy, Jean crafted a Christmas Tree puzzle with scroll sawing, Tom shaved another bowl on the lathe with a tricky bit of timber and Mary shared her solid progress with a bespoke totara lyre, and with adorning her decorative coat hook board.

Another great night at the guild!

Another busy Monday Furniture Night saw senior members of the guild providing advice and guidance, supporting members with their bespoke furniture projects.

Another solid week of Manawatu Woodworking Guild nights, which saw the Furniture and Hands On Mondays (7 - 9PM) extended to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Mondays of the Month. Wednesday night (7-9PM) saw a bevvy of new wood turners learning the craft under Gary, John and Tom.

Thursday night (7-9PM) saw carvers, intermediate wood turners and pyrographers / scroll sawyers beavering away at shaping timber, whilst Saturday provided a solid day of getting projects completed, with Ian and Tom on hand to provide ideas and pointers.

Our next coming event is Round Up.

Hi with the Central District Expo finished here is a video

Manawatu Woodworking Expo 2026 Hosted by the Manawatu Woodworking Guild, the Golden Chisel 2026 competition and woodworking prizegiving

Expo update

This Sunday 17th May at Barber
Hall.

Set up for vendors and displays can start setting after 7 am till opening. Keith has volunteered to open up.

Cafe will open after 8 am

Hall will be Open to the Public 9 am.

Sunday 17th May 2026
9 am Barber Hall.
Expo ... $10.00 per person. Family price option.
Lots of vendors, displays and wood working competitions and raffles.
Cafe available.
An event not to be missed.