Frequently Asked Questions

Please see the instructions on the Nelson page.

We provide all the tools that you will need throughout the of the course. That said, we do recommend if you have your own that you bring them along, in order to take advantage of the opportunity to sharpen and tune them. However, if you are coming by air, be aware that Air NZ is very tight on baggage allowances and are charging for every kg over your allowance. Therefore, if you are planning to bring your own tools, we would suggest that you restrict them to those that you will want to tune up on the course; planes and chisels for example.

All courses run from 0900-1630 hrs, Mon-Fri.

In general, yes. Machines can only be used by students who have been demonstrated proficiency to the tutors and when two or more people are present.

A non-refundable deposit must be made to assure a place in the course. The easiest way to do this is by electronic transfer.

Bank Details:

ASB Bank
Corner Trafalgar and Hardy Streets
Nelson, New Zealand

Account number: 12-3165-0262010-00
Account Name: Centre for Fine Woodworking
For international transfers: Swift Code ASBBNZ2A

Payments must be made in New Zealand Dollars and all bank charges are the responsibility of the student.

The balance of the course fee is due 30 days before the start date of the course.

Bank Details:

ASB Bank
Corner Trafalgar and Hardy Streets
Nelson, New Zealand

Account number: 12-3165-0262010-00
Account Name: Centre for Fine Woodworking
For international transfers: Swift Code ASBBNZ2A

All standard consumables such as glue, sandpaper, etc. are included in the course fee. Timber costs depend on the particular course. Please see the individual course descriptions. Exceptional costs, such as substituting a more valuable timber for the the one normally supplied, are the responsibility of the student. Students will keep account for their use of billable consumables on a fortnightly basis and be expected to settle their accounts within 3 days of receiving an invoice.

MDF and plywood for building forms, jigs and crates must be paid for by the student.

The NZ$ has recently been very volatile. The current exchange rate can be found here.

The Centre for Fine Woodworking is located about 14 km from the centre of Nelson in the budding non-metropolis of Wakapuaka. The following list of accommodations is roughly ordered from nearest to farthest from the school...

    Wakapuaka/Atawhai

Thackwood Cottage, Wakapuaka, Boutique Garden Accommodation is a ten second walk from the Centre for Fine Woodworking. See www.thackwoodcottage.co.nz

Rivington Cottage, Wakapuaka, Nelson is walking distance from the school. See www.rivingtoncottage.co.nz.

Marion Janke, Seaview Cottage Todds Valley www.cottagestays.co.nz/seaviewholiday/

Strathaven Lodge will offer a considerable rate reduction for long stays. www.strathavenlodge.com

    More or less Central Nelson

Blackmore Cottage at 8 Russell Street is completely self-contained, quiet private accommodation available 365 days per year. They charge $160 per night regardless of the number of guests; sleeps up to 6 people in three bedrooms. www.blackmorecottage.vze.com/

Rosemary Weir Email: rosemaryweir@slingshot.co.nz Peaceful situation close to city, flatting situation with owner. $130 per week inc power and phone. Double bed. Own cooking.

Orange Apartments, Nile St, Central Nelson
Standard fee of $490 per week for a studio apartment with double bed but lower rates can often be negotiated.

Maitai Holiday Park
www.holidayparks.co.nz/maitai/

Tahuna Beach Holiday Park, Nelson
www.tahunabeachholidaypark.co.nz

    Cable Bay about 10 km from school

Tui Cottage, Cable Bay about 10 km from the school. Email haig@clear.net.nz

Julie McLintock. Board offered in furnished self-contained flat. Separate bathroom, toilet, large double bedroom & kitchenette. Own entrance and deck a stones throw from estuary. Ideal place for swimming, kayaking, fishing and country walking. Price negotiated depending on fully catered or doing own breakfast and lunches. meals by arrangement.
Contact by phone 03-545-0989 or Email – julie@vodafone.co.nz

Cable Bay Holiday Park, campsites and 1 cabin sleeping 2-3
www.cablebayfarm.co.nz

    General

Nelson Holiday Homes will be happy to assist students from outside Nelson to find accommodation during their course. They have access to a wide variety of rental properties. Contact Randi via her website at www.nelsonholidayhouses.co.nz or email her at info@nelsonholidayhouses.co.nz

High fashion is not expected. Safety dictates that full cover footwear must be worn at all times. Comfortable shoes are important as you will be standing for long periods of time, at least until you complete your bench stool. The workshop will warm up during the day, (remember we're in Nelson the sunniest place in NZ) so light casual clothing is best to work in.

We try to maintain a small stock of commonly needed items. We often bulk order popular tools.

We do not provide any assessment. It is the student's responsibility to set individual goals and to evaluate whether or not those goals have been met.

We are a charitable educational trust established to foster opportunities in fine woodworking. We offer no qualification. There are many reasons for this but fundamental to our philosophy is the belief that it is the student's work which best reflects his/her ability.

We offer low student to tutor ratios so that individual assessment is ongoing throughout the programme and we actively seek feedback to review our efforts. It is our opinion that a formal process is inappropriate to this assessment. The Centre's reputation is based on the quality of student's work, which cannot be enhanced by outside review.

Be aware of the Breakout programme of the Funding Information Service which can help students needing funding to find agencies which offer scholarships, awards and grants. You can get information on the programme by visiting www.allaboutfunding.org.nz, but if you do your searches there, you will have to pay for the service. However if you visit almost any library in New Zealand you can have access to this large database of potential funding agencies free of charge. If you choose to apply for subsidy from a worthy organization we will work with you to enhance your application.

Members in good standing of the Furniture Society for at least one year may apply to the Furniture Society for subsidy.

It seems to be a modern requirement:

The Centre for Fine Woodworking has been established to facilitate high quality educational opportunities for woodworkers from New Zealand and around the world.

Our primary aim is to maintain a learning environment focused on fostering an awareness of, and a commitment to achieving the highest standards of fine woodworking.

By establishing a network of international connections we also hope to encourage interactions between woodworkers from all around the world.

People from most countries do not need a visa to enter NZ and to stay up to three months. For longer stays, a visa is required and can be used to stay up to nine months. There is a restriction that visitors can only stay in NZ for nine months in any 18 month period. See www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/visit/visitors/

The Immigration web site (www.immigration.govt.nz/) is fairly straight-forward. Several of our students have used a local immigration attorney to help them with special situations, but in general such help is not necessary. If you feel the need of help we can supply you with the name of the attorney that our students have used, but we are not in the position to provide assistance in obtaining visas ourselves.