Master Builders House of the Year 2025
New Zealand's top homes announced!
23 November 2025
On Saturday night, we celebrated the best homes and renovations from across Aotearoa New Zealand at the 2025 Master Builders House of the Year National Awards Gala.
For more than 30 years, the awards have been the ultimate showcase of New Zealand’s finest homes celebrating exceptional workmanship, bold design, innovation, and attention to every detail.
From fine craftsmanship to thoughtful design, this year’s winners raise the bar for residential construction in New Zealand and will inspire the next generation of homes. The gala brings together our industry’s most dedicated professionals to celebrate their achievements and contributions.
Behind every one of these projects is a team of hard-working individuals committed to building a better New Zealand. A massive congratulations to all of this year’s national winners!
National Supreme House of the Year over $1 million
VELVIN BUILDING
for a home in Queenstown
Velvin Building stood out at this year’s awards, with their home winning the National Supreme House of the Year over $1 million Award, the National Kitchen Excellence Award and the National Resene New Home $2 million - $4 million category. The judges praised this home for its exceptional use of materials and precise detailing, calling it a thoroughly deserving winner.
“Set on a steep site above the Frankton Arm Walkway, this home makes a demanding location feel effortless. From the street, it is calm and restrained, offering only a glimpse of the sheltered courtyard beyond. Inside, the plan unfolds with quiet clarity: warm, well-connected rooms, views carefully framed to water and hills, and light handled with real care throughout the day.
“Materials are innovative and well used, giving the house a grounded, tactile feel without fuss. The detailing is precise and consistent, and the build quality is clear in every junction. It also reads as a true partnership between architect and builder, where ideas and execution align. The result is a confident, refined home that sits naturally in its setting and lifts the standard for residential work. A thoroughly deserving Supreme winner.”
National Supreme House of the Year under $1 million
NIXON HOMES
for a home in Rangatahi Penninsula, Raglan
Nestled in the laid-back surf town of Raglan, Nixon Homes won the National Supreme House of the Year under $1 million Award and National Altus Window Systems New Home $750,000 - $1 million category for their tranquil haven. Raising the bar for what can be achieved under $1 million, the judges praised the home for its standout architecture.
“Confident and finely made, this home delivers real architecture within a disciplined budget. Three discrete pavilions are cleanly linked by decks, stairs and covered walkways, giving a strong street presence without excess. Steel cladding and timber shiplap bring durability and warmth, while the outdoor planning is smart: a sheltered street-side court for everyday use and a generous view-facing deck with clear zones for dining and lounging.
“Inside, rooms are arranged to capture rural vistas and flow effortlessly outdoors. The detailing is tidy, the materials are honest, and the result feels both robust and refined. It sets a benchmark for what can be achieved under $1 million, a thoroughly deserving Supreme winner.”
National Supreme Renovation of the Year
HOWE CONSTRUCTION
for a home in Queenstown
Howe Construction’s renovation of a Queenstown home earned them the National Supreme Renovation of the Year Award and National Renovation over $2 Million category. The judges praised the meticulous detailing throughout the home, which honours its views of Lake Wakatipu.
“A complex brief handled with real finesse. This significant apartment renovation resolved the challenges of altering the external fabric within a body corporate and re-leveling uneven floors, all without fuss. The design is minimalist and meticulously detailed, delivering clarity, calm and refined simplicity.
“The plan now comfortably accommodates multiple generations, balancing precision with warmth and providing generous, highly functional spaces that feel restrained yet welcoming. Highlights include a beautifully crafted bespoke kitchen and living areas that open easily to expansive decks with spa and BBQ, creating a seamless setting for everyday life and effortless entertaining. A confident and deserving Supreme Renovation.”
Raising the bar
Along with the Supreme Winners, an additional seventeen category awards, a craftsmanship award, a special award, and five lifestyle awards were announced. Master Builders CEO, Ankit Sharma, says the 2025 competition remains a cornerstone for recognising excellence in residential building:
“Each year, House of the Year showcases the finest work from New Zealand’s residential sector. The 2025 entries reveal not only superb technical execution but a commitment to creating homes that genuinely enhance everyday living.
“We’re proud of the Master Builders who continue to deliver outstanding results for New Zealanders. Their work lifts expectations of quality and craftsmanship and inspires the future of residential building.
“Every winning home is the result of skilled, disciplined professionals who care about building a better New Zealand. It is a privilege to acknowledge their achievements and the contribution they make to communities across the country,” says Sharma.
Judges highlighted exceptional craftsmanship, refined detailing, and design solutions that respond thoughtfully to each site and brief. “This year’s projects show remarkable confidence and care, delivering homes that balance innovation, sustainability and enduring quality,” they noted. Each entry reflects the industry’s dedication to elevating residential construction with creativity and precision.
With more than 270 entries in this year’s competition, the quality of projects continues to rise, reflecting an ongoing commitment across the sector to innovation and excellence. Spanning a broad range of price categories, the awards highlight exceptional homes, renovations, and builders from across the country.
Master Builders House of the Year 2025
National Award Winners
National Feature Awards
National Supreme House of the Year over $1 million
Velvin Building for a home in Queenstown
National Supreme House of the Year under $1 million
Nixon Homes for a home in Rangatahi Penninsula, Raglan
National Supreme Renovation of the Year
Howe Construction for a home in Queenstown
National Mitre 10 Trade Craftsmanship Award
Gudsell Designer Homes for a home in Otūmoetai, Tauranga
National Special Award
High Country Homes Canterbury for a home in Loburn, Canterbury
National Lifestyle Awards
Interior Design Award
Steve Brown Builders for a home in Redcliffs, Christchurch
Outdoor Living Excellence Award
Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award
Smith Construction NZ for a home in Bream Tail, Mangawhai Heads
APL Environmental and Sustainable Excellence Award
Urbo Homes for a home in Rotorua
Kitchen Excellence Award
Velvin Building for a home in Queenstown
National Category Awards
New Home over $4 million
Smith Construction NZ for a home in Bream Tail, Mangawhai Heads
Resene New Home $2 million - $4 million
Velvin Building for a home in Queenstown
New Home $1.5 million - $2 million
Gudsell Designer Homes for a home in Otūmoetai, Tauranga
Bunnings New Home $1 million - $1.5 million
Petersen and Barnes for a home in Oakura, Taranaki
Altus Window Systems New Home $750,000 - $1 million
Nixon Homes for a home in Rangatahi Penninsula, Raglan
New Home $500,000 - $750,000
Stark Building for a home in Milldale, Auckland
New Home up to $500,000
Hardy Construction for a home in Koitiata, Manawatū-Whanganui
Volume/Group Housing New Home $500,000 - $750,000
Navigation Homes Counties Franklin for a home in Mauku, Auckland
Volume/Group Housing New Home up to $500,000
Sentinel Homes Waikato for a home in Peacocke, Hamilton
Renovation over $2 million
Howe Construction for a home in Queenstown
Renovation $1 million - $2 million
Duncan Hare Builders for a home in Lake Rotoiti, Rotorua
Renovation $500,000 - $1 million
Coppins Construction for a home in Onehunga, Auckland
Renovation up to $500,000
Symphony Construction for a home in Matangi, Waikato
Master Build 10-Year Guarantee Multi Unit
Calley Homes for a home in Mount Maunganui
Mixed Development
BCG Construction for a home in Pt Chevalier, Auckland
GIB Show Home
Eden Homes for a home in Karaka, Auckland
Builder's Own Home
High Country Homes Canterbury for a home in Loburn, Canterbury
Proudly supported by our sponsors
Master Builders House of the Year is made possible thanks to the commitment of our sponsors. Here’s what they had to say about this year’s competition: