The Cromwell College year 11 pupil was selected for the New Zealand under-21 wood-chopping team at the end of April, when he was only 14, just a couple of months after winning the South Island under-21 wood-chopping championship.
The national side will compete in Australia at the Royal Melbourne show from September 24 to October 4.
The keen sportsman has just turned 15 and, although he also plays rugby and basketball, his favourite pastime is timber sports.
"It's a great sport and a bit different to what everyone else does. It's just you and the block."
He was introduced to the sport two years ago on the West Coast.
"I didn't think I'd really take to it, but I did and I was hooked straight away." His main events are the underhand, where you stand on top of the log and chop through it as fast as possible, and the standing block, where you stand beside the log and cut through one side and then cut through the opposite side.
Brad's mentors are his coach, Denis McLaughlin, of Ngahere, Adam Lowe, of Hokitika, and Bobby Dowling, of Invercargill.
McLaughlin, a former national and Australasian champion, says Brad has "a hell of a lot of potential".
"He's just young, but I believe he could have a fair future in the sport, if he stays focused.
He's a big boy but very co-ordinated and his technique is pretty good."
The swings of the axe have to be as carefully considered as golf swings, he says.
Brad's training includes weights work and fitness is a high priority.
"It might take only 30 seconds to cut through a 12-inch log, but it really takes its toll on you and you have to be fit."
The sport is an expensive one, with axes costing up to $700 and travel costs high to compete around the country.
Brad hopes to make it his career after leaving school, earning prize money on the national and international circuits, with his dream being a national title followed by a world title one day.
Name: Brad Pako (15).
School: Cromwell College.
Sports: Wood chopping, rugby, basketball.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Wood chopping: South Island under-21 championship, member of New Zealand under-21 wood-chopping team to compete in Australia, September-October.
Rugby, basketball: Central Otago and Buller age-group representative teams.
