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Two Franklin building companies were recognised at the Master Builders House of the Year competition last weekend.
For more than 30 years, Master Builders House of the Year has been the ultimate showcase of New Zealand’s finest homes, celebrating bold design, masterful execution, and innovation in every detail.
Navigation Homes Counties Franklin won the Volume/Group Housing New Home ($500,000 – $750,000) category for its home in Mauku.
The low-profile, pavilion-style layout spreads across 279sqm, with dual living zones, a triple garage and generous outdoor areas tailored for relaxed family living.
Karaka-based Eden Homes’ Riviera Show Home won the National Category Award for Show Home of the Year on Saturday night.
The home previously won Gold and Top 100 in the regional awards earlier this year.
RMBA judges said: “Thoughtful integration of bespoke features and luxurious comforts throughout make this not only a celebration of design excellence, but also a blueprint for contemporary living that honours tradition while embracing modernity. This show home isn’t just built to impress, it’s built to inspire and captures what it means to live beautifully.”
Overall winners
Velvin Building built on last year’s Supreme Renovation of the Year Award win for its bold A-frame, lake-view new home in Queenstown. This year it took the Supreme House of the Year over $1 million Award for another Queenstown project, plus several other awards, marking them double Supreme Award winners.
Standing out for its innovative material use along with precise detailing, the house undoubtedly lifts the standard and quality of residential work.
“Velvin Building’s Queenstown home is an exceptional example of what can be achieved when craftsmanship and vision align. It demonstrates the calibre of skill, precision and pride that defines our members, and why New Zealand continues to set the standard for residential construction excellence,” Master Builders chief executive Ankit Sharma said.
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.
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.
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.
Sharma said the 2025 competition remained 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,” Sharma said.
The House of the Year competition is supported by national sponsors, Altus Window Systems, Bunnings Trade, GIB, Master Build 10-Year Guarantee, Mitre 10 Trade, Plumbing World, Resene, and APL Window Solutions.
