Natasha Courtney: From hobby to professional passion
Q: Who is Natasha Courtney and what got you started on the woodworking path?
I’m a British born Kiwi living in New Zealand. I came here as a backpacker in 1999 and again in 2001 when I ended up staying. I started woodwork as a hobby in 2007 after being shown by a friend how to build timber retaining walls in my garden. I found that I had enjoyed the process from planning to execution, and learning how to use power tools.
I enrolled for woodwork classes at community education on Waiheke Island where I used to live, and after several terms of night classes I decided to try one of the short courses offered by the Centre for Fine Woodworking in Nelson.
Soon after that I enrolled on the full-time furniture makers class at CFW. I graduated in 2012, and the following year moved back to the North Island and set up my home workshop.
Natasha Courtney, rescued kauri jewellery box. ‘Made from remnant kauri washed down the Coromandel Ranges (left behind from the bad old days of kauri logging during the time of the early settlers).’
Q: Is this your job, your passion or both? What do you mainly make?
I offer bespoke woodwork and repair services and treat it as my part time job. It is also a passion and sometimes feels like a labour of love.
When I can, I make stock to sell from an online shop and a couple of local galleries. The furniture I make tends to be smaller pieces that I can handle on my own. I have made coffee tables, side tables, chairs, stools, shelves, cabinets, framed mirrors, picture frames, jewellery (or anything) boxes.
Natasha Courtney contemplation seat, made from oak milled on site in Hahei
Q: Where are you based? Does that influence your woodworking?
I live on the Coromandel Peninsula coast now. The area does influence my work. In terms of being a bit rural I tend to use timber that is easily available such as sources of recycled wood and locally felled timber. My design work is influenced by my environment too, I take inspiration from our coastal and bush surrounds. A few years ago I worked on a series of collaborative works with my friend the artist Rachel Olsen. It was an enjoyable dynamic where each of us made pieces that complemented the other’s work.
Q: What's your style as a maker? Refined, rustic, precise, sculptural...what do you like and what do you aim for in your work?
I like to make detailed and precision work, though on occasion have whipped up some quick bush carpentry for myself. I admire clean lines and this comes out in much of my furniture and box making work. However I have made more organic styled items too, such as some of my framed mirrors and wall hangings.
Jewellery box made from rescued kauri, banksia, rimu and ebony
Q: Who are your woodworking heroes/gods/gurus?
I wouldn’t have got into woodwork without inspiration and encouragement from other people. Notably the artist Paul Rhind who taught at community education on Waiheke Island. I feel very fortunate to have studied under the tutelage of John Shaw and the late Torkild Hansen at The Centre for Fine Woodworking. John has always made himself available to me for advice about design, technique and machinery, and is always interested in what I’m doing in the workshop. Beyond that, I admire the designs and work that came out of the Bauhaus movement.
Q: Your most often-made mistake?
I always underestimate the work hours (and value) in creating my work.
Q: Your biggest woodworking disaster!!?
When overhauling my bandsaw, I needed to order a new ripping blade. I mis-measured and basically didn’t take account of my absent tyres – and as such ended up with a custom made blade too small. It makes a nice wall decoration…
The Rocky Shallows wall shelf, oak with black maire details, original painting acrylic on board. Made in collaboration with Rachel Olsen.
Q: Your biggest woodworking achievement?
I feel proud of the fact that I went to the CFW in 2012 as a hobby woodworker and left a year later with the foundation skills and plenty of enthusiasm to set up my own workshop.
I’ve taken part in open studios and numerous exhibitions from those early community education days right up till now, achieving sales and commissions.
My most enjoyable achievement was to be part of the multimedia group exhibition ‘The Whole House Reuse Project’ in 2014, where one earthquake damaged home from Christchurch was demolished and makers from around New Zealand created works from the reusable materials. I made three pieces of furniture for this exhibition, alongside some of the country’s most remarkable craftspeople.
Process stages for Natasha Courtney’s Coromandel Valet Shelf, see below
Q: The thing I would most like to change about my own woodworking is…
My workshop doubles as my garage. The benefit is that it encourages me to keep a tidy space for shared use purposes. However, I’d love a standalone workshop that doesn’t need to be shared with a car, two bikes, washing machine and storage.
Q: What is your desert island hand tool and machine? And why?
I have a few hand tools that my late dad gave me. Whilst he was no fine woodworker, he was a passionate DIYer and encouraged me endlessly. To hold the tools – a pair of wooden spirit levels and a rosewood and brass square – will keep him close to me.
As for the machine, assuming a power supply on the desert island – my bandsaw is my versatile go-to machine (so long as I have a correct fitting blade…)
Coromandel Valet Shelf, entered in this year’s Maker of the Year, presented by Carbatec. See more images and information here. Photo: Daniel Allen
Q: What do you love most about woodworking?
My workshop is my happy place. I feel at peace when I am making.
Q: My best tip to other makers is…
All my machines are on lockable casters to make moving around easier and to save my back.
Photos courtesy Natasha Courtney
Learn more at @natasha_courtney_fine_woodwork
Maker of the Year, presented by Carbatec, is a competition for all makers, amateur, professional and student, and showcases the wonderful things they make from wood. In 2025 we present a series of interviews with some of the makers who have already entered their work.
Maker of the Year, presented by Carbatec is open for entry to makers all over the world. In addition to awards totalling A$19,500 in value, The Jan Pennell Award (A$1,500) will be made to an entry that displays outstanding woodturning. This entry will be selected from the Top 100 shortlisted entries across all Maker of the Year categories including Furniture, Arts & Objects and Student. Local and international makers are eligible to win this award.
In addition, the A$1000 Recycled & Rescued Award will be made to an entry that displays outstanding use of recycled and reused materials. This entry will also be selected from the Top 100 shortlisted entries across all categories. Local and international makers are eligible to win this award.
Enter Maker of the Year, presented by Carbatec
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