Jack Matthews - "cutting firewood with an axe has been my afterschool job since as long as I can remember." Photo: Supplied
One of the country's most promising wood chopping talents is so young he needs parental consent to use a chainsaw.
Hokitika 16-year-old Jack Matthews is the youngest competitor to qualify for the Under-25s' Rookie division at the Timbersports National Championships and being nearly 10 years younger than some of his competitors has raised a few health and safety issues for organisers.
Being under 18 means parental permission has to be gained so Matthews can use a chainsaw in one of the five disciplines he'll be competing in when he competes in the Rural Games in Palmerston North on Friday.
Jack himself - mature beyond his years - sees the irony in the situation.
"It's quite hardcase really - especially cos I've been using a chainsaw on our family lifestyle block in the West Coast since I was 13," he said.
"Plus cutting firewood with an axe has been my afterschool job since as long as I can remember.
"I guess I can see why it had to happen, but I don't think a signature from dad's gonna make any difference to how I go."
And young Jack Matthews goes alright.
He's won his fair share of age-group 'chops' and made the NZ Under 21 team that beat Australia 3-nil in a series in Adelaide last year.
He was the youngest in that competition too. No chainsaws needed.
This won't be the first time Jack's used a chainsaw in competition, but it's not a regular discipline his age group competes in - hence the required paperwork.
But wait there's more. As in, another Matthews.
Wood chopping brothers Jack and Scott Matthews. Photo: Supplied
Jack's brother Scott (aged 18) has also qualified for his first Timbersports Nationals this week and will be competing alongside his younger sibling in the Rookies.
The Matthews boys are well known for their wood-chopping feats in hometown Hokitika - Scott won the South Island Under 21 Champs in 2022 aged just 17.
It's less than three years since the brothers got into the sport, which came about after they helped tidy up at a local wood-chopping event.
Jack, a Year 12 Westland High School 1st XV member, is pretty confident his joy of rugby won't overtake his passion for woodchopping.
"I've got pretty big goals to keep going as far as I can as an axe-man. I really love the sport."
The whole family (mum, dad and sister) is coming up to Palmerston North for the weekend to cheer on the boys.
That could be a good thing for Jack, because if he goes alright, he might just need his dad again to get him a celebratory drink.
