Axe-cellent day at Puhoi

A good crowd turned out for the Puhoi Axemen’s annual Woodchopping Carnival.

World class woodchoppers, the crowd and the weather all turned up for the Puhoi Axeman’s Annual Woodchopping Carnival on January 11.

President of Puhoi Axemen Club Kaleb McDonnell said it was long, hot day. But it was a good day out. 

“We had a big crowd and they were in the shade but the choppers weren’t. So it would have been hard going for some of those guys. We started at 9am and didn’t finish until 6.30pm.”

He said spectators enjoyed a hard-fought competition, especially the tree events and hot saws.

The Puhoi Axemen Club thanked sponsors, supporters and volunteers of the 2025 event, in particular The Puhoi Pub Hotel & Stables.

“Thank you for helping create one of the best woodchopping events in the country, thank you to all the staff that worked tirelessly prior to the event and during the day and night, we appreciate all your hard work.”

Matthew Gower took first place in the underhand open 13-inch event ahead of his father John.
Callum Cradock knocks his block off.
Cleveland Cherry on the hot saw.
Puhoi Axemen Club president Kaleb McDonnell on his springboard.
Standing open 12-inch winner, Josh Jackson.
Jason Wynyard Memorial Cup winners, from left, Peter Eyles, Mathew Gower, Cleveland Cherry and Morgan Bolstad, with Wynyard family members (front).