Crowning the nation’s top rookie axeman, the New Zealand Rookies Championship, presented by the New Zealand Axemen’s Association will be part of the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games on the 13th March.
“There’s a strong connection between woodchopping, forestry, and sawmilling – it’s all about skill, respect for timber, and mastering a craft,” says Alexa Vorster, Marketing Manager for Wood-Mizer New Zealand which is sponsoring the Championship. “Supporting the next generation of athletes at this grassroots level is a perfect fit for us. It reflects Wood-Mizer’s commitment to supporting the skills, communities, and rural traditions at the heart of New Zealand.”
The event showcases standout young axemen, providing a crucial national platform for developing the sport’s future talent, she adds.
“The Rookies Championship is always a highlight,” says Steve Hollander, founder of the Ford Ranger NZ Rural Games. “Having Wood-Mizer’s support helps us create vital pathways for these young competitors to grow and succeed.”
Ms Vorster says the Wood-Mizer team will also be showcasing its diverse range of sawmilling equipment, showcasing opportunities within sawmilling and providing information and education, and running sawmill demonstrations.
The championship is also supported by STIHL and Tuatahi Axes.
Athletes competing this year are:
- Jack Matthews from Hokitika
- Morgan Bolstad from Taumarunui
- Mathew Gower from Whangamōmona
- Scott Matthews from Hokitika
- Jordan Thomas from Warkworth
- Ethan Findlay from Alexandra
