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On 13 October 2026, Glen Dimplex Australasia announced that Masport wood burners will be made in China, moving from its factory in Adelaide. The change will be phased in over the 2027 season. If you own a Masport or are thinking of buying one, here is what is changing, what is staying the same, and why it is a good moment to look at wood burners designed and made here in New Zealand.

KEY FACTS

• Announced 13 October 2026 by Glen Dimplex Australasia, which owns the Masport wood burner brand
• Masport wood burner manufacturing moves from Adelaide, South Australia, to a manufacturing partner in China
• The change will be phased in over the 2027 season; Glen Dimplex says it holds substantial Adelaide-made stock for that season
• Packaging, part numbers, service and the product range stay the same, and the warranty policy is unchanged
• Nectre wood burners for Australia and New Zealand will continue to be made in Adelaide

What Glen Dimplex has announced

Glen Dimplex Australasia says rising costs for labour, materials, overheads and utilities, along with a shortage of skilled labour for specialist tasks, led it to review where Masport wood burners are made. After looking at options around the world, it has chosen a long-standing manufacturing partner in China, which it says already supplies products to the US, Asia, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

The company had hoped to combine Masport and Nectre production in its Adelaide factory, but says the expected savings did not come through. Nectre wood burners will stay in Adelaide, along with the company’s design centre and testing laboratory.

“Product quality will be process managed with CAD to Manufacturing on largely European machinery,” the company says, adding that it expects to keep a consistent supply through the season ahead.

If you already own a Masport wood burner

Nothing changes for your fire today. Glen Dimplex says part numbers, service and the warranty policy stay exactly as they are, so spare parts such as door glass, rope seals and baffles will still be ordered the same way.

Keep your fire in good shape the usual way: burn dry wood, have the flue swept by a professional chimney sweep at least once a year, and get small problems such as a cracked glass or a worn door seal fixed early. Our team services and repairs Masport fires as before.

If you are about to buy a new wood burner

Masport burners bought for the 2027 season may still come from Adelaide stock, as Glen Dimplex holds a large supply, and the range itself is not changing. Over time, new units will come from China.

For many buyers that makes no difference. For others, where a fire is made matters, and this is a good time to compare. Whatever you choose, check four things before you buy:

• Is it authorised for your area? On properties under 2 hectares, a new wood burner must meet New Zealand’s national emission and efficiency standard. See our guide to NZ wood burner regulations.
• Where is it made, and who stands behind it? Ask who handles warranty claims and where spare parts come from.
• Does the size suit the room? An oversized burner is run low, smoulders and soots up the glass and flue.
• Who will install it? Every new or replacement burner needs a building consent and a proper installation.

Why choose a New Zealand-made wood burner?

Buying a wood burner made in New Zealand is about more than a label. It brings some practical benefits:

• Built for New Zealand homes. Local makers design their fires around New Zealand houses, firewood and our national clean-air rules, because that is the market they live in.
• Support close to home. When the company that made your fire is in New Zealand, questions about parts, warranty and performance go to people who work in the same time zone and know our conditions.
• Local jobs and skills. Your money helps keep manufacturing skills, design and jobs in New Zealand communities.
• A shorter journey. A fire built here travels a short distance to your home, rather than across the world.

At The Fireplace Technician we stock Metro Fires, a family-owned New Zealand company that began in Taranaki in the mid-1990s and designs and makes its wood fires in New Zealand. The range covers freestanding fires, inserts, built-in packages and outdoor fires, so there is a New Zealand-made option for most homes. We can also design and build a custom fireplace made to suit your space.

Masport, Nectre or Metro Fires: a quick comparison

All three are well-established brands, and we install and service all of them. The right choice depends on your room, your budget and how much it matters to you where your fire is made. Browse our wood burners in New Zealand or ask us to compare a few models for your home.

Installation is what makes any fire work well

However good the burner, it only performs well when it is the right size and installed properly. We organise the building consent and the project information memorandum for you, install the fire to the manufacturer’s specification, and give a complete installation warranty.

Wally Lawton has worked on fireplaces and chimneys since 1957 and is registered with the New Zealand Home Heating Association, so you get honest advice on which fire suits your home, wherever it is made. Find out more about our fireplace installation in Auckland.

Frequently asked questions

Will I still be able to get parts for my Masport wood burner?

Yes. Glen Dimplex says part numbers and service stay as they are today, and the warranty policy is unchanged. Masport parts will continue to be ordered the same way.

When will Masport wood burners be made in China?

Glen Dimplex says the change will be phased in over the 2027 season. It holds substantial Adelaide-made stock for that season, so some units sold in 2027 will still come from Adelaide.

Which wood burners are made in New Zealand?

Metro Fires designs and makes its wood fires in New Zealand, and we supply and install its range. We can also design a custom fireplace for your home. Call us and we will talk you through the options.

Thinking about a new wood burner, or want to know what Masport’s change means for your fire? Call The Fireplace Technician on 0800 024 324 or email firetech222@gmail.com for honest advice and a no-obligation quote.

Quick answer: Before you buy a new wood burner in New Zealand, consider where it’s made and whether it meets the Building Act 2004’s installation requirements. You should also check the applicable emission standards to make sure your burner meets the air-quality rules in your area. The Fireplace Technician can help you choose the right wood burner in New Zealand and install it for you.

Thinking about installing a new wood burner? Before comparing models, take some time to understand the requirements that apply to wood burners in New Zealand.

The Ministry encourages households to consider cleaner heating options that produce fewer pollutants, including heat pumps and pellet burners. If you decide a wood burner suits your home, you’ll also need to follow installation requirements under the Building Act 2004.

Consider where the burner is made

If you’re buying a wood burner, it’s worth looking at models made here in New Zealand. Local manufacturers design their burners around New Zealand homes, weather conditions, and the types of firewood you’re likely to use here. You’ll have more peace of mind knowing your burner is tested with the country’s conditions in mind.

It can also make it easier to find spare parts locally if you need to replace components such as glass or fire bricks in the future.

Not sure which models meet the requirements? You can check the government’s list of approved wood burners before you buy.

Understand the emission limits

Checking the emission requirements can help you narrow down which wood burners in New Zealand are suitable for your area. This is especially important if you live in an area with stricter air-quality rules.

These standards use AS/NZS 4012 and 4013 test conditions. So, be sure to check the requirements that apply in your area before purchasing a particular model.

Think about who will install the burner

Proper installation also affects how safely and efficiently your wood burner performs. So, make sure you work with a professional who can help with the correct fireplace consents and relevant paperwork for your local authority.

Need help choosing a wood burner?

Not sure which wood burner will work best in your home? Give us a call here at The Fireplace Technician on 0800 024 324 and we’ll come out to take a look. If you prefer to send a message, email us at firetech222@gmail.com.

During our visit, you can tell us about how you want to heat your home so we can recommend wood burners in New Zealand that make sense for your space and heating needs.