By Alexa Vorster, Wood-Mizer Oceania
August 11, 2025
Gisborne, New Zealand, is often described as one of the country’s hidden gems—tucked away on the eastern side of the North Island, where the coastline greets the sunrise before anywhere else in the world. Known for its laid-back atmosphere, fertile plains, and rich Māori culture, Gisborne is surrounded by native bush, rolling vineyards, and quiet, rural landscapes.
Mark and Philippa Chrisp were born in the region and, after securing a television contract for the area, decided to settle here.
After a breast cancer diagnosis followed by a year of treatment, they purchased a small block of land close to the city, where they could enjoy the healing power of being surrounded by nature.
“It made no business sense at the time,” Mark admits, “but it was the best decision we ever made.”
What they found was a gully blanketed in native bush, open grazing space, and something unexpected—an aging grove of black walnut trees, quietly growing for more than 70 years.
After thinning them out and doing some research, he realized just how special his small forest was. Years later, with retirement on the horizon after nearly four decades in television, Mark returned to those trees—this time with a vision. Once spindly and overcrowded, the black walnuts had matured into something rare.
“Black walnut is a sought-after timber. I couldn’t believe I had this resource sitting right here.”
Chainsaws weren’t cutting it—literally. As Mark researched mills online—reading forums, watching YouTube videos, and studying images—he kept coming across the same theme. Users raved about Wood-Mizer mills, calling them reliable, well-engineered, solidly constructed, and praising the company’s ethos. This consistent feedback convinced him to seriously look at a Wood-Mizer mill.
That’s when he discovered the Wood-Mizer LX50SUPER—a heavy-duty, entry-level mill designed for serious hobbyists. Built with rugged steel construction, precision-cutting capability, and a reliable Kohler 14HP engine, it ticked all the boxes.
The difference was obvious. The LX50SUPER felt solid—built to last, not just impress on first glance.
“That’s what stood out. It’s not just a good first impression. It’s genuinely well-built.”
From his first call with Wood-Mizer’s New Zealand team to meeting local rep Seth, Mark says the experience “just felt right.” Together, they got the mill up and running on a custom concrete platform Mark poured himself at the bottom of the gully.
To get the most out of each log, Mark outfits his LX50SUPER with Wood-Mizer’s DoubleHard blades, which hold their edge exceptionally well—even when cutting dense hardwoods like black walnut.
“I decided if I’m doing this, I’m doing it properly—level, elevated, and set up to last.”
What started as a personal project quickly grew into a passion. Mark’s focus has narrowed in on one product in particular—his handcrafted black walnut chopping boards.
Each board is finished with 100% natural tung oil, applied in six coats over time, with the final layer left to cure for a full month. This process results in a waterproof, food-safe seal that outperforms many standard finishes. The glue he uses is always food-safe, though he does note tung oil being extracted from tung tree nuts may have a potential risk for those with nut allergies. For them, he uses food-grade mineral oil.
“Time from felling to a finished board is around a year and a half,” he says. “We let the wood dry naturally for about a year, then carefully shape, plane, joint, and sand each board by hand—all the way up to 430 grit.”
Black walnut isn’t just beautiful—it’s practical. It’s durable enough to last, yet soft enough not to dull kitchen knives. Thanks to its natural resistance to rot, microbes, and fungal decay, it’s also a hygienic option for kitchen use. He’s used his own timber to erect a shower block made from blue gum and poplar, with only a small amount of black walnut used for details like the bench and soap rack. He’s also outfitted sleepouts and created slabs he hopes will become live edge coffee or dining room tables—just a few of the limited-edition black walnut pieces he plans to offer.
Most of Mark’s early creations have been given as gifts to friends, each one crafted from legacy trees and through hands-on care. His brand, CWM (Chrisp Wood Mill), features the prominent letters 'WM,' which resemble those of the WoodMizer brand. This seemed like a promising sign when it came to his purchasing decision.
“We never set out to build a workshop or start a woodworking business,” Mark reflects. “But now, with every cut I make using the LX50, I’m building something that feels purposeful—something that’s grown naturally out of the land and the moment we were in.”