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Family history.
A real legacy.

Woodsman wood burners are designed and hand crafted in New Zealand by Harris Home Fires. We’ve been warming Kiwi homes since 1887. A real family business that spans generations, we remain committed to handcrafting your Woodsman fire to the most exacting standards, using generations of collected experience to deliver outstanding craftsmanship.

Hand crafted in
New Zealand since

1887
Founder

As a family-run business we’ve seen a lot over our five generations: two world wars, a Great Depression, economic upheaval, technological change and the arrival of new ways to heat New Zealand homes. Something that hasn’t changed though—and never will—is our commitment to outstanding craftsmanship. This mindset dates back to a 21 year old Christchurch tinsmith with exacting standards…

1887
THE TRAILBLAZER
William Henry Harris, 21, finishes his apprenticeship at Mr R. J. Whyte, Tin, Zinc and Ironworkers. He purchases the business with a partner, and then swiftly becomes the sole owner of W. H. Harris, Tinsmith.
1904
1904
A HOUSEHOLD NAME
Now the largest tinsmithing business in Christchurch, W. H. Harris supplies all the South Island with tinware, packing canisters, hot-water boilers, tin baths, corrugated iron tanks and dairy equipment.
1926
1929
THE SPARKS OF INNOVATION
With technological advances in the air and the Depression looming, a new venture beckoned. Now with three Harris sons also working in the company, the General Heating and Ventilating Company Ltd was formed, with W. H. Harris and two other shareholders.
1938
OUR FLAMES ARE DAMPENED
The combination of W. H. Harris Tinsmiths Ltd manufacturing ability with the latest in heating engineering technology proves powerful, with many notable contracts fulfilled for supplying and installing heating units. But war descends and the deaths of both William Harris and his son Leslie leave the company in some turmoil.
1931
1960
1960s
HOME FIRES
Harris Home Fires emerges from the stagnation of the war years to a diverse and ambitious manufacturing industry, one where quality New Zealand-made goods dominated a market once ruled by imports.
1980s
GENERATIONAL SUCCESS
Shoulder pads were in, and so were log burners. Now run by the fourth generation of the Harris family, brothers Evan and Peter, the company celebrates a centenary of business and continues to grow and improve the range.
1990s
WELCOME WOODSMAN

The Woodsman brand is introduced to New Zealand.

1980
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2010s
FUTURE FORWARD THINKING

Helping New Zealand reach new standards of clean air emissions, our R&D investment ensures continued innovation, with new technologies

2020s
WARMING HEARTS AND HOMES

Our proud family company continues to warm the hearts and homes of New Zealanders everywhere. Richard Harris is the sixth generation to guide our company, and the future looks bright (and warm).

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Made by hand.
Feel the quality.

See our process
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Sustainable
and carbon neutral.

Sustainable Home heating
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