Wood Chopping

Some of the many logs ready for the carnival at Marokopa. It takes many hours to cut and prepare the logs for a chopping event.
On the way to Marokopa yesterday, we stayed on the side of the road (in the van) at Mangapohue Natural Bridge, west of Waitomo. This is an amazing piece of geology. We hadn't visited there at night, but had been told it was a great place to see glow-worms. True - it was amazing to walk in there in the dark and have all these little lights shining from the sides and ceiling of the limestone formations. I didn't take my camera in, but next time I sure will.

[Joan Robillard]

Those are some serious logs.

[Leana Niemand]

Phew! That must have taken some chopping!

[K1W1]

Oh I am so looking forward to seeing you photo of the caves when you go back there. I'm also looking forward to getting home and buying a van so we can travel all over our beautiful country.

[Pat Knowles]

These logs are very evenly chopped....ready chopped I presume for a special chopping/carving with axes?

[Dianne]

@happypat yes, they are peeled then sized for specific events. The machine is like an overgrown wood lathe.

[Peter]

Interesting collage Dianne it does show how uniform they all have to be:)

[Louise]

If you do not mind me asking, how does a chopping event work? What does the contestants have to do?

[Dianne]

@lmsa I’ll put up a collage to show how it’s done, then I’ll tag you in. Basically there ate two main events in NZ.

[Louise]

Thanks!