Putting waste forestry wood to good use by making it available to locals who need firewood for winter was the aim of Tasman District Council’s (TDC) Charity Firewood Day earlier this month. 

After a few growing pains in the first year (including a 6km traffic jam), last year’s timed ticket system was a hit, and the event was brought back to Moturoa/Rabbit Island for 2025. 

Everything ran smoothly, and the council and its forestry partner, PF Olsen, stuck with the winning formula again this year.

With the support of PF Olsen, Steve Thompson, and Downer, Tasman District Council offered 200 trailer loads of seasoned firewood for $100 each. Best of all, this year’s wood was dry and ready to burn, perfect for the colder months ahead.

All proceeds will support two local organisations: Nelson Tasman Hospice, which provides specialist palliative care to patients and whānau, and Nelson Women’s Refuge, which supports women and tamariki affected by domestic and family violence.

October 2025 will also see the return of cheap firewood sales targeted to families in need.

The 2024 event was coordinated by the Fifeshire Foundation and saw $25 tickets sold for firewood that will be ready to use this winter.

Fifeshire Foundation Executive Officer, Shanine Hermsen, says she is grateful to keep up the event with Tasman District Council – “a great partnership”.

Last year’s event saw 142 loads of firewood bought cheaply by low-income families.

About $3600 raised from the ticket sales also contributed to the foundation’s winter grants, which opened last week.

Those grants last year saw about $80,000 spent on loads of firewood or direct power bill payments for struggling locals.

“It’s hard to say what the demand will be this year, but I suspect it will be up there, and it’s harder and harder for families. It’s great that we can help out in this way,” says Ms Hermsen.

“We’re seeing more and more people coming to us for our monthly grants that are struggling to get by.”

The foundation’s typical clientele is changing, with more two-income families needing help than there have been historically.