You are on the Home Page of the Waikato Guild of Woodworkers. We are group of 70, mainly wood turners and some carvers and other wood crafts.
Our passion is to create memorable items from the wide range of both native and exotic timbers available in New Zealand, and to share our skills with others such as yourself.
We meet monthly for demonstrations in the Guild Hall, to show examples of our most recent work and to critique it. At the same time we have the opportunity to meet with friends who share our interests and dedication, and to compare notes on our progress in the craft.
If you do not have access to a lathe or would enjoy further tuition, you can join one of several small groups meeting weekly in our workshop.
You will also have many opportunities to visit other woodturning clubs, woodcraft festivals and demonstrations.
Wood crafting was started in the Waikato by a group of wood carvers around 1984 at Fairfield College staff room with twelve people and no lathes. Bill Van de berg (the first President) advertised for those interested to bring a piece of work to discuss. The group then moved to Melville High School under the guidance of woodwork teacher Derek Kerwood. This class extended from carving and marquetry into woodturning from which the Waikato Guild of Woodworkers evolved.

Finally, they purchased the Scout Hall in Storey Avenue for $1000, which has been our permanent home for over two decades.
The hall was in a poor state of repair but was refurbished by the many skilled tradesmen in the Guild led by Alan Hannah. As well as a kitchen and toilets the Guild building has a large hall and a separate workshop. Our hall is used by the Guild for meetings and demonstrations and also by many other community groups for their own purposes. The workshop is used for turning and carving activities.