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Learn, Create And Share The Craft Of Woodturning
Christchurch Woodturners Association brings together people who enjoy working with wood, learning hands-on skills and creating beautiful turned pieces.
Our club is a place to develop your woodturning knowledge, share ideas, ask questions and enjoy the company of others who understand the satisfaction of turning a piece of a tree into something useful, decorative or completely unique.
Whether you are just starting out or have years of experience behind you, there is always something new to learn, try or be inspired by.
Monthly Club Meetings
Our club meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of every month and are a great way to connect with other members, learn something new and see what everyone has been working on. Meetings start at 7pm in the Harvard Community Lounge on Corsair Drive. Doors open from 6:30pm for set up, a cuppa and time to chat before the meeting begins.
Visitors are always warmly welcomed and there is no entry fee for visitors, so coming along to a meeting is an easy way to get a feel for the club before joining.
For members, there is a small $3 entry fee, which helps cover venue hire and the all important tea, coffee and a biscuit!
At our monthly meetings, you can enjoy:
- Guest speakers and woodturning demonstrations
- Our Show Table, where members are encouraged to display their latest work
- Club competitions and creative challenges
- Show and Tell, where members bring along interesting pieces, tools or ideas to talk about
- $1 raffle tickets, with a range of prizes at each meeting
- Time to chat, catch up with old friends and meet new people
Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced turner, our monthly meetings are relaxed, friendly and full of inspiration.
Christchurch Woodturners Association Monthly Meetings
4th Wednesday of every month, except December
From 6.30pm Harvard Community Lounge on Corsair Drive, Christchurch.
Opposite Grebe Place and just off Springs Road.
Hands-on Learning and Workshops
At the club’s well resourced workshop located in Auburn Reserve, Christchurch Woodturners Association members and visitors have access to our many lathes and related tools and machinery during our regular workshop sessions.
Clubroom, Auburn Reserve, Riccarton Road
331A Riccarton Road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041
Various workshops and classes.
Please check our newsletter for the next workshops. A $5 daily workshop charge applies. Some materials may incur additional costs.
Woodturning is a practical craft, and the best way to learn is often by watching, asking questions and having a go.
Christchurch Woodturners Association supports members through shared knowledge, informal guidance, demonstrations and opportunities to build confidence at the lathe.
From choosing timber and preparing a blank, through to tool control, finishing and safety, members can learn from others who are happy to share what they know. Here’s details of some of our regular workshops:
01. Hands-On Time At Our Auburn Reserve Workshop
For members who want more practical time at the lathe, our Auburn Reserve Workshop is a welcoming place to learn, practise and ask questions.
The workshop is open to members and beginners on Thursdays from 1pm–4pm and 7pm–9pm. Beginners are welcome to come along for a couple of weeks as an introduction to woodturning, while members can use the facilities, work on their own projects, or get advice from more experienced turners.
For those keen to build their skills further, we also encourage beginners to take part in one of our courses. It is a great way to gain confidence, learn safe techniques and progress into more interesting projects.
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02. Miniatures Turning At Auburn Reserve
Our miniature turning sessions are a great opportunity to explore smaller-scale projects, learn new techniques and try working with alternative materials.
Held on the 1st Wednesday of the month from 7pm to 9pm, except January, at the Auburn Reserve Workshop on Riccarton Road, these sessions can include pen making, jewellery, small household items and other detailed turning projects.
Members are welcome to bring along their own miniature turning ideas, questions or challenges and get practical guidance from others in the group.
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03. Embellishment At Auburn Reserve
Our embellishment sessions explore how pyrography and other decorative techniques can be used to add detail, texture and character to your woodturning projects.
Held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 7pm to 9pm, except January, at the Auburn Reserve Workshop on Riccarton Road, these sessions are a chance to learn new approaches, share ideas and discover different ways to enhance your finished pieces.
The content and frequency of these sessions can vary, so please check the latest club newsletter for programme details and any updates.
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Woodturning Certificate Course
For members who would like to build their skills in a more structured way, Christchurch Woodturners Association offers a comprehensive National Certificate in Woodturning programme. It is based on the woodturner training scheme overseen by the National Association of Woodworkers and delivered to NAW members by affiliated clubs who choose to undertake this programme.
This practical course introduces students to a wide range of woodturning and related skills, helping them gain confidence, improve technique and work towards a high standard of independent turning. Many current members are graduates of the course and speak highly of the way it helped them develop their skills and discover new areas of the craft.
The programme combines monthly classroom sessions with work completed at home. Sessions are usually held on Saturdays once a month in the woodwork room at Auburn Reserve, Riccarton Road. Lathes are provided for students, wood is supplied, and some chisels are available, although students are encouraged to bring their own tools where possible.
To complete the Certificate in Woodturning, students work through 30 courses across four strands:
- Introduction to Woodturning
- Woodturning Fundamentals
- Intermediate Woodturning
- Advanced Woodturning
The course is open to Christchurch Woodturners Association members. Students also need to be members of the National Association of Woodworkers Inc. There is a charge of $30 per course day, with occasional additional costs for specific projects, such as pen kits or pepper grinders.
Course start dates can vary from year to year, and catch-up options may be available if the timing does not suit.
Interested In Joining The Course?
Use the button below to email Noel the Course Coordinator and find out more.
A Welcoming Woodturning Community
One of the greatest strengths of Christchurch Woodturners Association is the community behind it.
Members come from different backgrounds and skill levels, but share a common interest in craftsmanship, learning and working with wood. The club is friendly, supportive and always happy to welcome people who are curious about woodturning.
You do not need to be an expert to get involved. Interest, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are more than enough to get started.
Interested In Coming Along?
If you would like to learn more about woodturning, meet other turners or see what the club is like, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Come along as a visitor, ask a few questions and see what Christchurch Woodturners Association is all about.
