Home of the Year 2026: The Finalists

Twenty-five homes across seven categories have been selected as finalists in the 2026 Home of the Year Awards programme. Our judges — Belinda George, Chris Tate, and Federico Monsalve — are travelling the length of the country, visiting each finalist in person to determine the winners across every category (City, Coastal, Green, Small, Rural, Alt & Reno, and Multi-Unit Home of the Year), as well as the overall winner, which will be named the 2026 Home of the Year.

The winners will be announced at an exclusive awards evening on 26 March, before being revealed across HOME’s digital platforms and in the next issue of the magazine.

Readers’ Choice Home of the Year Award

An additional honour will be awarded through the Readers’ Choice Award — recognising the project that captures the most public support. To cast your vote, explore each home in greater detail below and make your selections in the form at the bottom of this page.

Coastal Home of the Year Finalists

Wawata House by Julian Guthrie Architecture

Ti Point House by Crosson Architects

Sixth Degree by Max Capocaccia Architecture Studio

The Hidden House by Nome NZ

Green Home of the Year Finalists

Clay Block House by Daniel Marshall Architects

Māori Point Road House by Rafe Maclean Architects

Kapiti House by Studio Pacific Architecture

Rural Home of the Year Finalists

Central Otago House by Wilson and Hill Architects

Two Sheds by RTA Studio

M House by Ponting Fitzgerald Architects

Double Gable by Yoke

Small Home of the Year Finalists

Jack’s House by W3 in association with CEDE

Langs Studio by HB Architecture

City Home of the Year Finalists

Burntwood by Archco Architecture

Open and Shut by Rogan Nash Architects

Eastbourne House by Stevens Lawson Architects

The Hill House by Arête Architects 

Multi-Unit Home of the Year Finalists

Westmere Residences by Highfield Architecture

161 West Tamaki Road by Stevens Lawson Architects

Kōanga by Marutūāhu-Ockham Group

Zion Apartments by Strachan Group Architects

Alt & Reno Home of the Year Finalists

A Work of Art by Falcon Build

Stanmore by Jessop Architects

Martinborough House by Shinton*Chang

Vote for the project you believe should win the 2026 Readers’ Choice Home of the Year Award

By entering, you agree to receive occasional email communications from Nook Publishing.

Latest video features

In the Coromandel, a home with a humble profile and a thoughtful design makes the most of a stunning location.

Built with awe-inspiring attention to detail, this Arrowtown home is a fresh interpretation of a familiar Otago rural vernacular.

This sculptural Northland bach is a perfect north arrow on a remote farm high above the sea.

With the sun on its bow and the community at its stern, this is a house in which the elements are always front of mind.

Trending articles

Homes

Whareroa

A triangular form bedded into the hillside. A place to enjoy a slower pace of life. A warm home; a living roof, soft timbers, light

Interiors

Sea change

Strong biophilic principles grounded by the use of sandy-toned coloured concrete present a juxtaposition of ideas in this coastal home; there’s a natural drama to