The figure is in the root ball, best to have the tree dug out by the root ball instead of cutting it off at the stump. Some places grow well figured wood, some don't. It all depends upon the climate, I don't have any idea how New Zealand rates. You might be wasting your time if you don't have the right climate. I know in my home state of Mississippi, I could grow walnut trees till the cows came home and probably never produce a real exhibition grade blank. I'd certainly have it quartersawn, in my opinion a gunstock is worthless unless quartersawn. Some like the looks of a slab sawn stock but I can't warm to them.
