Seasoned Firewood NZ
Looking for seasoned firewood in NZ? Worth knowing first that seasoned firewood is the older standard — most NZ households can do better. New Grounds Energy supplies kiln-dried pine offcuts from our Ōtorohanga sawmill, delivered free across the Waikato. Kiln-dried is the modern upgrade, and we'll explain why on this page.
What seasoned firewood actually means
"Seasoned" firewood has been air-dried by leaving it stacked outside for somewhere between 6 and 18 months. The wood loses moisture over time as the wind and sun work on it. In theory, by the time it reaches you, it's dry enough to burn well.
In practice, the quality varies wildly. NZ's wet winters and humid summers mean air-drying is inconsistent. Plenty of firewood sold as "seasoned" still has moisture content above 25% when it gets to your driveway — well above the 20% threshold most wood burner manufacturers recommend.
Why kiln-dried firewood beats seasoned
Kiln-dried firewood is dried in a controlled environment to a consistent, lower moisture content (typically under 20%, often closer to 15%). The result is firewood that performs the way firewood is meant to:
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Lights first try — No water to evaporate before the fire takes hold.
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Burns hotter — Less of the energy is spent boiling off moisture.
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Less smoke — Cleaner combustion, easier on chimneys and neighbours.
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Less creosote — Dry wood doesn't coat your flue in tar.
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Lighter per cubic metre — You're not paying to deliver water.
What we supply instead
We don't sell seasoned firewood. We sell two products, both made from the same untreated NZ pine off our Ōtorohanga sawmill:
Bulk kiln-dried wood offcuts — traditional firewood format, kiln-dried for performance. 5m³ or 8m³ loads, free delivery across the Waikato.
Order bulk kiln-dried firewood →
Wood Fire Pucks — the modern format. Compressed pine blocks, three times hotter than firewood, a third of the storage. Delivered weekly on subscription, starting at $36/week.
Try the puck subscription → · Read our guide to wood fire pucks
Where we deliver
Free local delivery across the Waikato — Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Ōtorohanga, and surrounding rural areas. For one-off retail boxes nationwide, find us at Bunnings stores.
Common questions about seasoned vs kiln-dried firewood
How can I tell if firewood is properly seasoned?
The reliable way is a moisture meter — you want under 20%. Visual signs (cracks at the ends, lighter colour, lighter weight) help, but they're inconsistent. Kiln-dried firewood removes the guesswork entirely.
Is seasoned firewood safe to burn?
Yes, but performance depends on actual moisture content. Wet "seasoned" firewood will smoke, leave creosote in your chimney, and burn cooler. Properly seasoned firewood (under 20% moisture) burns well — it's just hard to verify before you buy.
Why don't you sell air-seasoned firewood?
We started kiln-drying because it gives consistent performance every time. Air-seasoning is too dependent on weather, stacking, and time — too easy to get wrong. Customers shouldn't have to guess whether their firewood will actually burn well.
Can I burn pine firewood without issue?
Yes — untreated NZ pine is great firewood when properly dried. It catches easily, burns hot, and produces minimal ash. The myth that pine clogs chimneys comes from burning wet pine; kiln-dried pine burns cleanly.
Upgrade your firewood this winter
Order bulk kiln-dried firewood → · Or try the puck subscription →
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