20 Years of Trendz Fireplaces: A Conversation with Founder Charlie

In 2026, Trendz Fireplaces celebrates 20 years of creating high-quality outdoor fireplaces for homeowners, builders, and designers across New Zealand and Australia. What started as a simple idea, a hassle-free, drop-in solution for builders, has grown into a refined range of fireplaces that combine design, function, and ease of use.

To mark the milestone, we sat down with founder Charlie Lawry to reflect on the early days, key turning points, and what the future holds for the family-led business still driven by innovation.

Q: When you look back to when Trendz Fireplaces first began, what problem were you trying to solve — and did you imagine the business would still be here 20 years later?

When we first started, the idea was simple: builders needed a one-piece, hassle-free solution — something that could be dropped into place quickly and easily. There really wasn’t anything like that at the time.

And yes — laughs — being in it for the long haul was always the plan. The first couple of years were tough, especially with a young family, but my wife, Ady, and her family kept pushing me forward. There was always so much potential, and there still is.

What I never imagined was that we’d end up with something so different from everything else on the market. That part has been a real surprise.

Q: Over the past 20 years, what’s been the biggest turning point for Trendz Fireplaces?

It’s really been a series of evolutions rather than one single moment. About two years in, we introduced the Hudson. Then came the Burton, followed by the Mini. Later we added the Twin Peak, then the Single Peak — and around three years ago, we updated the Hudson profile again.

We’ve always been refining, improving, fine-tuning — often through conversations with friends, family, and customers. About five years ago, we introduced pre-plaster and paint finishes, which was a big shift. Now around 75% of our fireplaces are plastered and painted, and I’m proud that you can place one on site and have it ready to use within one hour.

That ongoing evolution has really shaped who we are.

Q: Outdoor living has changed a lot over the years. How have you seen the role of fireplaces evolve in New Zealand and Australia?

Outdoor living has become huge since we started back in 2006. These days, outdoor spaces almost don’t feel complete without a fireplace — that’s certainly how we see it as a team.

The feedback we get, especially at shows, has been incredibly positive. One thing I never expected was repeat customers — but we have people who’ve installed two or three Trendz fireplaces over the years, as they've moved homes. That’s been really special to see.

Q: What’s one early decision that you believe was critical to building the Trendz brand?

Valuing the product properly — and not chasing sales at the expense of quality.

From the beginning, we focused on tweaking proportions, getting the aesthetics right, and making sure everything functioned exactly as it should. We always let design lead the product, but never in a way that compromised performance. That balance has been critical.

Q: As Trendz Fireplaces celebrates 20 years, what are you most proud of — and what excites you about what’s next?

I’m really proud of how refined the range has become, and of the fact that we’re still always tweaking and improving. Keeping things simple and streamlined has been key.

What excites me most right now is a new, smaller fireplace we’re about to release, designed for homeowners and DIY-ers — it fills a real gap in the market. I’m also excited about continued growth in Australia, and pushing further into global markets.

On a personal level, seeing the business remain family-driven means a lot. My son Ashley is stepping into the Director role, while I’m taking a step back from day-to-day leadership to focus on what I love — research and development, specialised installations, and spending more time in the Auckland showroom. With that shift, and a strong focus on refining what we do best, the future feels incredibly solid.

We’re also pushing boundaries technically, moving toward only stainless steel fireboxes is the next big goal. That’s probably a two-year journey, but it’s where we’re headed.