🏆An outstanding achievement for @ltmcguinness_construction and their project team, who won the Supreme Award over $10 million for the second year running at the 2026 Commercial Project Awards, this time for Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, Wellington Central Library.
The team’s accolades don’t stop there, also winning the Commercial Project over $25 million Value Award and Civic Project Category Award. 👏
A much-loved civic landmark, Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui called for extraordinary care, precision, and technical expertise. With the entire library closely held in place, the team carried out major strengthening works beneath the building, taking on one of the toughest projects of its kind in New Zealand.
Rather than demolishing and starting again, the team strengthened and renewed the building, preserving an important part of Wellington’s civic landscape while reducing waste. The project also achieved a 5 Star Green Star rating, reflecting its strong sustainability outcomes. 🌿
Delivered on time and on budget, Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui is a standout example of collaboration, innovation, and calm execution under pressure. A fantastic result for LT McGuinness Wellington and everyone involved. ✨
🎉 A massive congratulations to @leighsconstructionltd and their project partners, who have taken out the Supreme Award under $10 million at the 2026 Commercial Project Awards for The George Forbes Building, Stage 3. The project team also took home the Commercial Project $3 – $10 million Value Award.
Delivered on budget and ahead of schedule, this project transformed Lincoln University’s main entrance in time for orientation week, creating a clearer, more welcoming gateway to the campus while ensuring university life continued without disruption. 🎓
The project saw outdated areas removed, facilities upgraded, and new spaces created across the ground and first floors. The judges were particularly impressed by the way original brick columns were retained, the entry sequence was reshaped, and the carved entrance feature strengthened the connection with Ngāi Tahu and Te Taumutu Rūnanga. 🔨
Inside, natural light brings a vibrant and inviting feel to the renewed spaces. Completed with great care around the 300 staff working above, this was a thoughtful and memorable project, and a truly deserving Supreme Award winner. ⭐
See all of this year's winners at: commercialprojectawards.co.nz/
The 2026 NZ Commercial Project Awards Gala kicks off in just 2 hours! ⏰🏆
Before the winners are revealed, put your design eye to the test 👀
Can you match the exterior to the interior of some of this year’s standout projects? Take our Inside Out Quiz for a sneak peek inside the incredible projects competing tonight.
🔍 Take the quiz at: /view/IBjCOENO
👏 A round of applause to @navigationhomes_franklin who won the National Volume/Group Housing New Home $500,000 - $750,000 category at the 2025 House of the Year Awards for their stunning Mauku home.
Surrounded by rolling countryside, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom home is all about space, comfort, and easy family living. With two living areas, a triple garage, wide decking and a covered outdoor space, it’s the perfect place to relax, entertain and take in the beautiful views.
✨ At the heart of the home, the light-filled kitchen, dining and lounge create a warm and welcoming hub, while timber details throughout add character and charm. Thoughtfully designed for everyday living, this home makes the most of its beautiful rural setting.
Check out more award-winning homes at https://houseoftheyear.co.nz/
ONE WEEK. ⏰
The countdown to the 2026 NZ Commercial Project Awards is on.
The best in commercial construction.
The teams behind the builds.
The projects raising the bar.
Who’s taking it out this year? 👀
Check out the entrants 👉 commercialprojectawards.co.nz
Next in our ‘Out of the Box’ series, we’re spotlighting @downeyconstruction for the Hamilton Gardens Visitor Precinct, which won a Gold Award at the 2025 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards. 🏆
The redevelopment enhances one of New Zealand’s best-known garden destinations across five key areas: an extended café, a new visitor information centre, a refurbished pavilion, redesigned grounds, and the striking Fern Court structure. 🌿
Working in a live environment with limited access, the team carefully managed the build through staged construction, temporary facilities, and a strong focus on visitor safety throughout the project.
In partnership with Hamilton City Council, the team worked closely to refine designs, deliver value engineering and keep construction running efficiently, creating an iconic new gateway that enhances the visitor experience at Hamilton Gardens. ✨
🔍 Explore this year's entries at mercialprojectawards.co.nz
After a competitive tender process, Alexandra and Michael Viner chose Coppins Construction after hearing great feedback from both their architect and other local homeowners. Their response to the design specification stood out as the most professional, comprehensive and competitively priced. 🏡✨
The standout feature of their new home?
“We particularly love the craftsmanship that has gone into our curved wall and double-height stairwell, where Zane, Joe and the team really brought the design to life. They went over and above with their attention to detail, advice on products and materials, and incredible project and time management.” 🔨
Choosing a Master Builder was also an important part of their decision, giving them extra confidence in the quality of the work from the outset.
“What we really appreciated was the perfectionism in the team’s approach, which meant we didn’t have to take on the role of making sure everything was finished to a high standard. They were professional, sociable and considerate throughout, especially while we were living there during parts of the build with young children.”
Want the same confidence in your build? Discover the benefits at masterbuilder.org.nz 🤝
👏 A round of applause for David Fridd Building, winners of the Heritage and Restoration category at the 2025 Commercial Project Awards for St Joseph’s Catholic Church Temuka.
Severely damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes, restoring this 140-year-old church was a complex project that required significant structural strengthening, including the rebuild of its iconic stone spire and tower.
Working closely with Heritage New Zealand, the team carefully restored many original features, including the French stained-glass windows, vaulted plaster ceiling, historic stonework and four-faced clock. ⛪
Despite a tight budget and the challenge of uncovering further damage as work progressed, the project stands out for its craftsmanship, problem-solving and commitment to preserving an important community landmark. 🔨
Taking out the top title at the National 2025 Apprentice of the Year competition was a proud moment for Josh Gullery, after months of hard work and preparation. 🔨
“It was a whirlwind of emotions. I was over the moon and humbled to win the national title and compete against New Zealand’s top apprentices. The award win was a culmination of the hours of preparation and work I had put in, so it was incredibly satisfying to take the top spot.”
Competing against such a strong group of finalists made the win even more meaningful. ✨
“All the finalists brought such a high calibre of work, attention to detail and passion to the competition, which was great to see. Everyone there had earned their spot, so to be standing alongside them was an achievement.”
Check out more information at www.apprenticeoftheyear.co.nz.
👏 Hats off to Duncan Hare Builders, winner of the National Renovation $1 million – $2 million category at the 2025 House of the Year Awards, for their exceptional Lake Rotoiti bach renovation.
Owned by the same family since the 1930s, the project involved a full restoration of the original home, alongside the addition of a new garage, bunkhouse and extensive landscaping, all while respecting the character and charm of the original property.
🌿 Across both the bach and the new buildings, native timbers and handcrafted details, including custom-made rimu furniture, create a warm and character-filled interior. Set on a long, grassy section framed by punga fern fencing, this lakeside retreat honours the past while creating a place for future generations to enjoy. ✨
Choosing @fv_design_and_build started with a recommendation, but for Matt Meek, it was meeting Francis and seeing the way he approached his work that made the decision feel right. 🏠
“The way Francis and his team worked, precisely, openly, promptly and professionally, meant we never had a whiff of doubt throughout the whole process.”
For Matt, the standout feature of the finished home is the sense of space and how well it works for family life.
“The open plan space to move and grow with our family is something we are thankful for every day. The way our main living space flows with the outdoors creates a beautiful sense of spaciousness and calm. We are just very happy.”
“We found comfort in knowing FV Design and Build would be held to a high standard with the Master Builders tick of approval. As people outside the industry, that gave us real confidence.”
Looking for the same peace of mind for your next build or renovation? Explore the benefits of working with a Master Builder at masterbuilder.org.nz 🔎
🚨 Final call! Entries for Apprentice of the Year close TONIGHT.
If you’ve been meaning to enter, now’s the time to get it done. Whether your application is nearly finished or still coming together, there’s still time to submit it.
This could be your chance to put your skills forward and be recognised as one of New Zealand’s top apprentices.
Enter now at: https://www.apprenticeoftheyear.co.nz/ Shout out to our sponsors for making the mahi happen: Principal partner - @cartersbuildingsupplies Event partners - @bcito and @buildersacademy.nz Regional sponsor - @accnewzealand
