Central Districts Woodworking Expo 2026

Where: Arena Manawatu Barber and Bell Halls, Waldegrave Street, Palmerston North

When: Sunday 17 May 2026, 9am–3pm

Entry Fee: $10 per person or $20 for a family (2 adults, 2 children under 16)

Manawatu Woodworkers Guild is proud to present its annual Woodworking Expo for 2026.

There will be static displays from Men's Shed and some of our focus groups: Women's group, Carving Group and Furniture group.

National Golden Chisel competition - our main event for the day

A woodturning competition for the Golden Chisel, where woodturners from throughout NZ compete against each other, subject to certain criteria, to see who can turn a bowl in the quickest time.

• Sponsored by Carbatec NZ
• 1st, 2nd, & 3rd placings will receive prizes, which will be a combination of Carbatec vouchers, cash and a Sorby golden bowl chisel
• Entry fee of $10 per woodturner
• Hosted by Peter Wolfkamp (resident builder), TV and radio host
• This event will be professionally called, filmed and streamed throughout NZ
• Email goldenchisel@manawatuwoodworkers.org.nz to enter.

Other activities will include;

• The Inter-club Colt competition, where turners make up teams to compete against each other for the Pren Cup.
• Club displays
  • Each club will display 10 items from their club for judging
  • These will be judged as to the best table display, the best overall piece, and the best non-turned piece.
  • The winning club gets the Drew Cup and a prize
• Demonstrations
  • Robbie Graham will be our main demonstrator for the day, with several other demonstrations occurring as well.
• Competition 1
  • Create what you want to from a 1.5 mtr piece of gauged 4x2 or 100x50 using hand tools only and bring it along to be judged.
• Competition 2 - The Project organised by Nick Crozier, NAW Training Co-Ordinator
  • Teams of three turners, one of whom is a novice, will turn three egg cups
  • See further details here

• Have a Go
  • • If you ever wanted to try your hand at wood skills or are interested in what they entail, come along and try your hand at it.

• Trade Stalls and Displays - Exclusive shop sales from:
  • • • • Timberly Woodturning
      • • Carbatec
      • • Piranha Tools
      • • And others

Take the opportunity to talk to people about your woodcraft projects and get advice from experts.

Check out the regular events held by the Guild at the Guild Hall.