About Carbatec

How it all began in Australia

Geoff Lowe launched Carbatec® from his Brisbane garage in 1987. Since this time, it has fundamentally remained a family business in Australia. Carbatec® outgrew its home-based premises and opened its first showroom in 1989. Developing new tools and machines became a feature of the business and the Carbatec® Mini Lathe was born. New products remain a goal for Carbatec, bringing the best and most innovative products from around the world to Australia.

The family team at Carbatec® set out to provide tools not previously available in Australia and they comb the globe to find these to make available to the Australian and New Zealand market. They also set out to deliver these tools at value for money prices with world class service for all types of woodworkers from beginners to skilled craftsmen. So, no matter your skill level, we have the product, service, and expertise to suit you.

Carbatec New Zealand

Like Australia, Carbatec New Zealand is family owned and operated by Grant Oxenbridge, his wife Jacqui and son Cameron.

Grant’s father David was a keen woodworker and on his many visits to Australia he was always impressed by the Carbatec catalogue and the array of quality tools and machinery at Carbatec Australia. He suggested to Grant that there was a need for a Carbatec store in New Zealand. After meeting with Geoff Lowe, we became the licensed distributor of Carbatec products in New Zealand.

The first Carbatec New Zealand store opened in East Tamaki in 2003 – we launched the store at the Wood Show at the Auckland Showgrounds with the team from Australia.

In 2004 we moved to our current building with a 700 square meter show room where we enjoy selling high quality tools and machinery to enthusiastic woodworkers! If you are regular visitors, you may notice that we are slowly updating the shop fittings in Auckland, as well as bringing in new products, to further improve your shopping experience.

In 2021 during the COVID lockdowns a building became available in Christchurch with a 900 square metre show room in Casebrook perfect for a Carbatec showroom. Our second store opened in 2022.

We strive to bring you the best in quality, selection and price in all things wood and we continually update our website both with products and to bring you the best shopping experience possible.

In 2023 we launched our Product Catalogue, and this is available free in store, or you can download from our website.

Carbatec New Zealand are Major Sponsors of the National Association of Woodworkers NZ Wood Expo – run annually and includes demonstrations by well known woodworkers as well as the AGM and Gala Dinner.

In addition, Carbatec New Zealand are the Major Sponsor of the Art of Wood – sponsoring the Supreme Award, Boxes, Embellished Bowls and Platters & Ornamental categories.

The other organisation that Carbatec New Zealand are actively supporting is the MenzShed whose goal is to build a community for older people and support their health and wellbeing.

Several of our staff are members of the NAW and of local clubs – if you want advice then contact us, we would love to help.

Our future vision

Carbatec is proud of its heritage as a leading retailer of woodworking tools and machinery. We believe that one of the most rewarding and wonderful experiences in life is creating something with your own hands, especially with something as beautiful and unique as timber. We believe that our mission as a company is to provide our customers with the tools, knowledge, and resources to do just that - in an authentic, engaging, and innovative way.

Our vision is to inspire people in the community, to foster partnerships, learn new skills, share their passion, and get the most out of their woodworking.