Aotearoa’s top architectural projects and talents have been recognised tonight, with the winners of the 2025 New Zealand Architecture Awards announced. From a large apartment development to poolside changing sheds, this year’s winners feature a range of unique projects with a particularly strong showing from Heritage and Small Projects.

“It was no easy task in selecting our winners from so many worthy projects that showcased the value architects can deliver for their clients,” says Craig Moller, jury convenor and director of Moller Architects. “We had especially strong projects in the Heritage and Small Project categories this year, which was a pleasure to see and made our job as a jury even more challenging. Congratulations to our many worthy winners on their innovative, inspiring and aspirational works.”

In the Heritage category, winners included a large-scale and long-term renovation project at Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery in Whanganui by Warren and Mahoney Architects, a reconstructed pātaka kai by Dalgleish Architects, and a landmark renewal of the Chapel of the Upper Room in Christchurch by Wilkie + Bruce Registered Architects to provide needed renovations and strengthening.

Meanwhile in the Small Projects category three projects were awarded by the jury including the Karanga Changing Sheds at Karanga Plaza Harbour Pool in Auckland by Pac Studio, constructed with panels comprised of 100% recycled plastic, showcasing the potential of architecture projects to influence sustainability outcomes.

Four winning projects also received special recognition as named awards, representing particular excellence in the Education, Housing, Commercial and Public Architecture categories.

Winners were chosen from a shortlist of 61 projects that had been winners at the Local Architecture Awards in eight regions across the motu earlier this year.

They were judged by a panel that included jury convenor Craig Moller, Beth Cameron of Makers of Architecture, Nicola Herbst of Herbst Architects, and Ilana Freadman of Freadman White in Melbourne, Australia.

The awards were presented on 20 November at an evening awards ceremony at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.

2025 New Zealand Architecture Award Winners

Commercial Architecture

• 303 Remuera Road by Fearon Hay Architects – Remuera, Auckland

• BNZ Place by Jasmax – Wellington

• Strip Mall by Spacecraft Architects – Palmerston North

Education

• AUT Tukutuku by Jasmax – Auckland

• Ngā Mokopuna by Tennent Brown Architects – Wellington

• Hiwa – University of Auckland Recreation and Wellness Centre by Warren and Mahoney Architects in association with MJMA Architecture & Design – Auckland Central

Enduring Architecture

• Adam Art Gallery (1999) by Athfield Architects – Wellington

• Tabak House (1984) by Sheppard & Rout Architects – Christchurch

• Craig House (1998) by Thom Craig Architects – Governors Bay, Christchurch

Heritage

• Te Ruamātatoru – He Whata Kai by Dalgleish Architects – Whanganui

• Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery by Warren and Mahoney Architects – Whanganui

• Chapel of the Upper Room – Renovation & Strengthening by Wilkie + Bruce Registered Architects – Christchurch

Hospitality

• Sugarloaf at Flockhill by Hierarchy Group – Lake Pearson, Canterbury

• Te Mānia by Stevens Lawson Architects – Havelock North

Housing

• Popadich House by Davor Popadich Architects – Hahei, Coromandel

• Openfield House by Keshaw McArthur and Matheson Whiteley in association – Arrow Junction, Otago

• Bush Block by Patchwork Architecture – Titirangi, Auckland

• Kaka Pod by Rafe Maclean Architects – Wānaka

Housing – Alterations and Additions

• Alberon by Jack McKinney Architects – Parnell, Auckland

• Berhampore Perimeter House by STUDIO MYLA – Berhampore, Wellington

• Wainui Church Conversion by Warren and Mahoney Architects in association with Objects – Wainui, Banks Peninsula

Housing – Multi Unit

• Catalina Bay Apartments by Architectus – Hobsonville Point, Auckland

Planning & Urban Design

• Te Ara Pekapeka by Edwards White Architects and BBO in association – Hamilton

• George Street, Dunedin Retail Quarter by Jasmax – Dunedin

Public Architecture

• Te Āhuru Mōwai by architecture + - Feilding, Manawatū

• Punangairi Visitor Centre by Sheppard & Rout Architects – Punakaiki, West Coast

Small Project Architecture

• Walker Box by Micah / Architecture – Brooklyn, Wellington

• Karanga Changing Sheds by Pac Studio – Auckland Central

• BB House by Upoko Architects – Island Bay, Wellington

Named Awards

• Ngā Mokopuna by Tennent Brown Architects — Ted McCoy Award for Education (Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington)

• Popadich House by Davor Popadich Architects — Sir Ian Athfield Award for Housing (Hahei)

• Punangairi Visitor Centre by Sheppard & Rout Architects — John Scott Award for Public Architecture (Punakaiki)

• Strip Mall by Spacecraft Architects — Sir Miles Warren Award for Commercial Architecture (Te Papa-i-Oea Palmerston North

See all the winners and read citations here.