They say woodchopping is in the blood. For the Rasmussen-Wallace whānau of Ōtaki, that’s literally true.
When the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® New Zealand Men’s and the Tuatahi Axes New Zealand Women’s Championships take over Te Marae o Hine / The Square in Palmerston North as part of the Ford Ranger NZ Rural Games this weekend, three members of one remarkable family will be competing. They will showcase a legacy that spans generations, travels the country and burns brighter than ever.
Fifteen-year-old Ruby Rasmussen, her father Hayden Rasmussen and her aunt Alma Wallace, will all step into the chopping ring, representing the Ōtaki Axemen’s Club with pride.
“It’s pretty special,” says Hayden, a third-generation woodchopper who was introduced to the sport by his father at the age of nine. “My Dad got me started in the sport, and now I get to travel the country with my own daughter and our wider family, including my dad, brother-in-law and nephew all competing together at shows around the country. Ruby’s been around the chopping ring her whole life, just like I was.”
Ruby, who began training properly at age eight, will compete in the New Zealand Axewomen’s Championship tomorrow. She’ll be joined in the field by her Aunty Alma, a proven competitor who came second in the same event last year.
“I grew up travelling the country with my Dad and whānau, following competitions and spending my time around the chopping ring,” Ruby says. “I love that it’s something our whānau shares, it’s pretty special to be here at the rural games alongside my Aunty Alma, and to have Dad on stage competing the following day is a choice.”
Alma is equally proud to be part of the family legacy. Having stood on the podium multiple times, she now has the joy of competing alongside the next generation. “It means everything,” she says. “To see Ruby come through, to train with her, and watch her hold her own, that’s what this sport is about for us. It’s not just competition; it’s whānau.”
Hayden will compete in Saturday’s prestigious STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® New Zealand Men’s Championship, the world’s number one lumbersport competition. He will face a formidable field of ten, including fellow axemen from as far away as South Australia.
For Hayden, the weekend is about more than titles. Tomorrow he’ll be cheering from the sidelines as Ruby and Alma chop. On Saturday, the roles reverse.
“Woodchopping isn’t just a sport to me, it’s family, and something I’m really proud to be part of,” says Ruby.
Women’s Field: Ruby Rasmussen (Ōtaki), Alma Wallace (Ōtaki), Darcell Apelu (Mt Manganui), Chelsea Stothers (Horowhenua), Louise Nalder (Greymouth), Mikhayla Lord (Ōtorohanga).
Men’s Field: Hayden Rasmussen (Ōtaki), Jack Jordan (Taumarunui), Kyle Lemon (Rotorua), Quinton Fawcett (Masterton), Shane Jordan (Taranaki), Neil Hateley (Westport), Cleveland Cherry (Tokoroa), Kahu Wooley (expat, South Australia), Chris Lord (Ōtorohanga), Robert Dowling (expat, South Australia). This weekend’s three day Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games has its most dynamic line-up yet.
“The Rural Games is where the spirit of the countryside meets the energy of the city,” says Event Founder, Steve Hollander. “We’ve got world champions defending their titles, Olympians cheering from the sidelines and thousands of kids having a go. It’s a weekend that celebrates who we are as New Zealanders.”
Other events include:Wood-Mizer New Zealand Rookies Championship supported by STIHL, Tony Chapman New Zealand Speed Shearing Championship with Stock Lines and Starrett, Future Post New Zealand Speed Fencing Championships with Strainrite and Summit Steel and Wire, Sir Eion Edgar Trans-tasman Highlander Championship with TransAg, New Holland and Float Factory and the New Zealand Speed Tree Climbing Doubles Championship with Husqvarna, TreeHub and Silky Saws.
