House of the Year 2026 Top 100 National Finalists Announced

17 August 2026

The Top 100 homes for the 2026 Master Builders House of the Year Competition have been announced.

House of the Year shines a light on the country’s standout residential builds, celebrating craftsmanship at its peak. This year, over 250 projects ranging from small urban spaces to striking architectural homes were entered from seven regions.

Each home faced a rigorous, on-site evaluation by a panel of seasoned judges who drilled into every detail: workmanship, design integrity, aesthetic flair and overall liveability. The result is a perfect showcase of what New Zealand’s best builders can achieve, no matter the challenges.

Master Builders CEO, Ankit Sharma, says the House of the Year competition has showcased the skill and innovation of Master Builders members for more than 30 years:

“Every year the bar gets higher. These awards celebrate the craftsmanship, dedication, and quality our members bring to building homes that New Zealand families are proud of,” says Ankit.

“This year’s Top 100 proves our members are continually lifting their game. From smart material choices and sustainable design to precision detailing, they are delivering excellence at every price point. It is a clear sign the industry is committed to building homes that meet the needs of New Zealanders today and for generations to come.”

The Top 100 homes, representing the best entrants from this year's regional competitions held throughout July and August, will undergo a second round of judging by the national judging panel. This process will determine the winners of the top awards at the 2026 National Awards Gala, on 21 November in Auckland.

The National Awards Gala will honour the Supreme House of the Year over $1 million, Supreme Renovation of the Year, and Supreme House of the Year under $1 million. In addition to the three Supreme Awards, the event will also present 15 Category Awards - for the first time including 2nd and 3rd place awards in addition to the category winners - the Mitre 10 Trade Craftsmanship Award, and six Lifestyle Awards.

Master Builders House of the Year is made possible thanks to the support of Altus Window Systems, Bunnings Trade, GIB, Master Build 10-Year Guarantee, Mitre 10 Trade, PDL by Schneider Electric, Plumbing World, Resene, and APL Window Solutions.

See the full Top 100 list below and explore all of this year's finalist homes at houseoftheyear.co.nz

AUCKLAND / NORTHLAND / COROMANDEL

BAY OF PLENTY & CENTRAL PLATEAU

WAIKATO

CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND

COOK STRAIT

CANTERBURY REGION

SOUTHERN