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Some of Franklin’s finest homes have been recognised at the recent 2026 Master Builders House of the Year Auckland/Northland/Coromandel regional awards.
While missing the supreme awards, Franklin houses won three of the six lifestyle awards: Environmental and Sustainable Excellence Award (along with a gold award) to Create and Construct for a home in Paerata, Outdoor Living Excellence Award to VDP Construction for a home in Pararekau Island, Karaka, and the Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award (and a gold award) to Design Builders (Franklin/Waikato) for a home in Karioitahi.
The judges said Create and Construct’s rural Paerata build presents a comprehensive response to the growing need for greater resilience and reduced reliance on local authority infrastructure.
“A substantial photovoltaic array, supported by battery storage, provides renewable energy for the home, while extensive rainwater collection and storage strengthen its ability to operate independently during outages or emergencies.
“The same commitment is evident in the construction itself. Porotherm clay blocks provide both structure and insulation, complemented by high-performance windows and extensive insulation throughout the building envelope. Together, these elements reduce energy demand while supporting a comfortable and stable internal environment across the seasons. Sustainability has not been treated as an added feature, but as a guiding principle carried through the design, construction and long-term operation of the home. This is a serious and highly accomplished approach to resilient rural living.”
Winner of the Outdoor Living Excellence Award for a home in Pararekau Island, Karaka by VDP Construction was praised for its “outdoor living space [that] makes the most of its spectacular position on Pararekau Island, while responding carefully to the prevailing southerly winds, creating a sheltered and highly usable space without losing its connection to the water.”
Meanwhile, the home in Karioitahi by Design Builders (Franklin/Waikato) which won the Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award is described as having a “strong mid-century influence [that] gives these bathrooms their distinctive character.
“Bold colours and small-format ceramic tiles have been used with confidence, creating spaces that feel both playful and refined while remaining true to the style of the wider home.” Regional GIB Show Home winner Emandee Homes’ house “stands confidently among the strong line-up at Paerata Rise.”
Created by a brother and sister team, the impressive two-storey home presents well from the street and shows a clear understanding of what modern family living can require, say the judges.
Also in Paerata Rise, winner of the New Home up to $500,000 category by Frame Homesis described as a “starter home [that] delivers far more than its modest build cost might suggest. From the street, the brick and weatherboard exterior has a welcoming presence, setting up a home that feels carefully designed and well balanced from the outset.”
OTHER FRANKLIN AWARDS
Gold awards: Emandee Homes (two homes in Paerata Rise, one in Patumahoe), Frame Homes (Paerata Rise), Jennian Homes Franklin (Glenbrook), Navigation Homes Counties (Paerata Rise and Pukekohe), Platinum Homes Auckland (Karaka), Sentinel Homes Auckland Central and South (Ramarama), and VDP Construction (Pararekau Island, Karaka).
Silver awards: Transbuild (Clevedon and Drury homes), Versatile Pukekohe (Te Kauwhata).
Bronze awards: Landmark Homes Auckland – South and Franklin(Pukekohe).
