House of The Year Awards & Home of The Year: New Zealand’s Premier Home Design Celebration

Each year, the House of The Year Awards brings together architects, designers, homeowners, and enthusiasts from across New Zealand to celebrate the best in residential design. At its heart lies the coveted Home of The Year title, bestowed upon the single project that most inspires judges with its innovative use of space, quality of craftsmanship, and harmony with its environment. From busy city streets to remote coastal sites, the awards programme shines a light on projects that push boundaries and reimagine what a home can be. 

Submissions for the House of The Year Awards open every spring, inviting anyone involved in creating new or renovated homes to put their work forward. Designers and homeowners send in photographs, floor plans, and written descriptions that explain their design objectives, material choices, and how the finished space meets everyday needs. Judges—made up of leading architects, engineers, and industry specialists—look for originality, practicality, sustainability, and overall design excellence. Homes that make the longlist earn on-site visits, allowing the panel to experience how light moves through rooms, how indoor and outdoor areas connect, and how local materials have been used to reflect place and culture. 

As longlisted projects are assessed in detail, a selection of finalists emerges in late summer. These top contenders represent the full spectrum of New Zealand’s housing—from clever small-footprint apartments and compact urban infill homes to spacious rural retreats and multifunctional multi-unit developments. Finalists are featured in a special issue of HOME Magazine, offering readers a first glimpse of the cutting-edge ideas set to define the country’s design future. Readers then have the chance to vote in the public Home of The Year category, ensuring that community favourites play a part in the final celebrations. 

The awards season climaxes with an evening gala where the title Home of The Year is revealed alongside the winners of each category. This event is more than an awards ceremony: it’s a gathering of the people who shape New Zealand’s built environment. Conversations sparked at the gala often lead to new collaborations, fresh design commissions, and a shared excitement for what lies ahead. Architects compare notes on the latest sustainable building methods, interior designers swap stories about sourcing unique fixtures, and homeowners share insights about living in spaces tailored perfectly to their lives. 

Winners and finalists are then celebrated in an April issue of HOME Magazine. High-resolution photography captures every nuance of the projects, from the grain of native timber joinery to the way sunlight filters through cleverly placed glazing. Accompanying floor plans and concise project narratives give practical takeaways—whether it’s understanding how passive solar design can reduce energy bills or seeing how a simple layout tweak can open up a living area. These published features serve as a source of inspiration for anyone planning their own build or renovation, illustrating that exceptional design can be achieved at any scale and budget. 

Beyond the printed pages, the House of The Year Awards extend into the community through open home tours and virtual walkthroughs. Visitors can step inside finalist homes, ask questions of the creative teams, and see first-hand how innovative details come together in real life. For those who cannot attend in person, 360-degree online tours provide an immersive experience, allowing viewers to explore spaces from anywhere in the country. The Readers’ Choice vote adds an interactive element, giving everyone the chance to back the project they feel best embodies the spirit of New Zealand living. 

Entering the House of The Year Awards offers more than just prestige. Finalists gain national exposure that can lead to new clients, media features, and industry recognition. Homeowners take pride in seeing their personal stories honoured by professionals and peers alike. And for the wider public, the awards highlight forward-thinking approaches to living well—showing how design can improve daily life through smart layouts, sustainable materials, and a deep understanding of site and climate. 

If you believe your project could inspire others and deserves to stand among New Zealand’s best, now is the time to prepare your submission for the House of The Year Awards. Share your design journey, demonstrate your creative solutions, and you might just earn the title of Home of The Year. Visit the HOME Magazine awards page for full entry details, deadlines, and examples of past winners—and take the first step toward seeing your home celebrated on the national stage.