Ethan Outdoor Furniture

Ethan is passionate about hand-crafting bespoke high quality outdoor furniture. Jon has always said, “If something is worth doing its worth doing properly”.

Skilled workmanship involving careful attention to detail, combined with both traditional and the latest construction techniques ensure the furniture is crafted not just for today, but for generations to come.

The Test of Time

We are proud to be a pioneer of outdoor furniture making in New Zealand. Ethan Outdoor Furniture is internationally recognized for its exceptional quality and distinctive style.

In the face of pressures to shift towards more economical overseas manufacturing, we have stood firm in our commitment to the tradition of New Zealand production and craftsmanship, refusing to compromise on the standards that have defined our brand.

Artisan Touch

Every Ethan creation begins with the finest materials, selected for durability and aesthetic appeal.

Our New Zealand craftsmen, with their meticulous attention to detail, embody the essence of skill and passion. It’s their hands that transform raw timber into the stunning pieces that grace your outdoor spaces, each bearing a unique signature of quality.

Blending Tradition and Innovation

We honour woodworking traditions by employing techniques like steam bending, mortise and tenon joints, known for their strength and longevity, perfected by craftsmen over hundreds of years.

Alongside this, we embrace modernity, incorporating marine grade stainless steel and solid brass fittings, and purpose-engineered components, to enhance functionality and outdoor resilience. We are dedicated to continual improvement and innovation throughout the product design and production process.

Pride in Every Piece

Our dedication to craftsmanship extends to rigorous quality control, ensuring every item reflects our high standards. Every timber furniture component is carefully graded by hand and passes through an intensive selection process.

This ensures each piece performs to a very high standard. Stainless screws are neatly covered by flush finished timber plugs  individually glued into place. Each piece is meticulously hand finished which ensures a silky-smooth, warm, hardwood surface that is magic to the touch and naturally draws you in.

Premium Materials

The beauty of Ethan furniture is not just in its appearance but in its construction materials. Marine grade stainless and solid brass fitting are used throughout the furniture to ensure to withstand New Zealand’s harsh coastal environments and long lifespan.

Items such as the Umbrella winch, handle and Lazy Susan main centre bearing are all purpose engineered, hand welded and built from 316 marine grade stainless. Nylon foot glides all items are fitted with these to ensure feet of the ground and ease to move around.

Ethan's foundation is built on a steadfast commitment to sustainability, striving to minimise our environmental footprint at every turn.

From carefully selecting sustainable materials to adopting processes that reduce waste, our approach is holistic. We're dedicated to crafting furniture that not only stands the test of time but does so with respect for our planet.

Durability and Longevity

Choosing Ethan means more than just acquiring a piece of furniture; it's a conscious decision to reject the throwaway culture. Our pieces are designed for lasting quality, style, and comfort, bringing immense long-term benefits such as lower overall costs and a positive environmental impact.

We believe that investing in well considered furniture allows you to live better, with less, and a product that lasts longer.

A Continuation of Our Commitment

Our direct-to-client sales approach doesn't end with a purchase; it extends into after-sales services that leave our clients consistently in awe. From repair and refurbishment to rehoming, we ensure every Ethan piece continues to enrich lives.

As the manufacturer we offer a full range of spare parts to ensure your furniture performs at the highest level. This natural extension of our service highlights the lasting impact of our furniture, both in quality and environmental sustainability.

Community and Environment

Beyond furniture, Ethan is deeply involved in community and environmental initiatives.

From donating to local sports clubs and educational programs, including our old hand tools to places such as the Mangawhai Nature Education school, to planting a native tree for every Ethan Setting sold, via the Trees That Count program, we aim to give back in meaningful ways.

These actions reflect our broader commitment to sustainability and supporting local communities.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

Ethan Outdoor Furniture prioritises sustainability by using natural timbers and materials designed for longevity and recyclability, significantly reducing our carbon footprint.

Transitioning from bubble wrap to recyclable cardboard, sourced from local importers, enhances our packaging sustainability. We embrace the latest non-toxic adhesives for safer, environmentally friendly construction.

Carefully managing timber and fabric offcuts minimises waste; surplus materials are creatively transformed into timber blocks for children, blending eco-conscious practices with community support. This thorough approach underscores our dedication to environmental stewardship and innovation.

• Maintenance free fittings
• Only stainless steel screws and bolts
• Brass fittings are gold plated to provide long wear resistance
• Mortise and tennon joints used throughout
• Screw holes are finished flush with timber plugs
• Refrectory Leg structures ensure maximum stability
• All edges hand shaped and rounded

ETHAN OIL:

• Allows furniture to weather to a silver / grey patina
• Protects the timber against mould, mildew and food markings
• Mineral based outdoor furniture oil  
• Standard oil finish unless Sikkens Cetol is applied

SIKKENS CETOL HLS:

• Maintains the natural colour of the wood grain
• Tough flexible marine alkyd coating with high quality UV protection
• Stain resistant and does not flake or peel
• Easy to maintain

Cushions & Fabric Accessories:

• Fabric is 100% solution dyed acrylic, colour fast, UV and mildew resistant
• We have over 50 colours and stripes in our fabric collection
• Our fabrics and colours are chosen from the worlds leading outdoor fabric manufacturers
• Easy to clean and hard wearing
• For fabric used in our Protective Covers - please see this section of the website
• Contact us to be sent the Ethan Fabric Swatch

Fabric Products:

• Recliner Cushion & Head Cushion  
• Bench Cushion and Back Pad
• Parson James Chairs’ Cushions
• Stool Cushion
• Umbrella Sun Skirt
• Umbrella Wind Awning

Iroko Hardwood

Iroko is the main hardwood we use for Ethan Outdoor Furniture. It is a premium hardwood which includes many benefits and is highly proven in New Zealands harsh outdoor environments. Iroko hardwood is also commonly known as “African Teak”. 

Ethan has been using Iroko for over 25 years in our range of premium outdoor furniture that is located in extreme locations both here in NZ and around the globe. It is a hardwood that has stood the test of time.

Hardwood is a beautiful natural product and provides a warmth. Unlike other metal, plastic, concrete and glass products which can give a “hard / cold” feel.

Ethan has very high quality standards when it comes to grading timber for use in its furniture. This is very important to ensure long term performance of exposed surfaces and key parts of the furniture. Our grading team are some of the best in the business with years of experience on what timber performs best in NZ conditions.

It has been used for years internationally in a wide range of industries such as boat building and exterior construction. It is a very stable hardwood and lovely to touch and use. 

Iroko weathers beautifully to a silky silver-grey finish (Ethan Oil finish option). It weathers probably the nicest out of all the hardwoods. Alternatively, the mid brown timber colouring comes up really nicely with our alternative Wood Stain finish options. 

 Iroko hardwood is very solid and heavy, but is not as heavy as Jarrah or Kwila. These timbers can make products feel like a “deadweight” and make items such as chairs difficult to move. 

Iroko doesn’t “bleed or leach” a coloured sap like Kwila hardwood does. This is one of Irokos main advantages. There are no problems with unwanted staining of clothing or tiled areas. It doesn’t splinter like some other hardwoods. 

Iroko is an imported hardwood we source mainly from Ghana, West Africa. It is sustainably milled and comes from responsibly managed forests. Ethan Outdoor Furniture is FSC certified (Forestry Stewardship Council), SGS-COC 1505. 

We were one of the first furniture companies in NZ to obtain FSC certification. 

Visit for more information: https://fsc.org/en