2026 New Zealand Architecture Awards shortlist

“Housing is always a strong category in the National Architecture Awards, and this year we have a great range of projects, from substantial projects to those shaped by more modest briefs and budgets,” says National Jury Convenor Andrea Bell of bell + co architecture.

“Another consistently interesting category is Small Project Architecture, where invention and creativity come to the fore within a set of tighter constraints. It is also heartening to see such a strong field of contenders in the Heritage category again this year.”

Bell will lead the national jury alongside Jane Rooney of Architectus, Daniel Smith of Edwards White Architects and Australian juror Jon Clements of Jackson Clements Burrows Architects.

The jury will visit every shortlisted project, beginning its nationwide tour on 17 August. The winners will be announced on 5 November at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Commercial Architecture

• 90 Devonport Road by Warren and Mahoney
• Air New Zealand – Hangar 4 by Studio Pacific Architecture
• Horizon by SkyCity by Warren and Mahoney and Moller Architects in association
• Mount Cardrona Station – Homestead by Leuschke Group Architects
• Ōtepoti Building by Warren and Mahoney and Aukaha Pūtahi Teia by Falk Tapsell and Beca in association
• The Chief Post Office Refurbishment by Cheshire Architects
• Wynyard Quayside by Warren and Mahoney

Education

• St Patrick’s Chapel, Dilworth School by Jasmax
• Tāwhaki Nui-a-Hema / Motueka High School Maths and Horticulture Block by Arthouse Architects and Sheppard & Rout Architects
• Toi Manawa by Patterson Associates

Enduring Architecture

• Gibbs House – Eastbourne (1998) by Gerald Parsonson Architect
• The Point (2000) by Moller Architects
• The Princess Margaret Hospital (1959) by Manson, Seward & Stanton

Heritage

• Auckland Art Gallery Kia Whakahou, Kia Whakaora by Ignite Architects and DPA Architects in association
• Ayrburn Precinct by SA Studio
• Christchurch Boys’ High School Main Block Restoration & Refurbishment by Athfield Architects, Paul Cummack Conservation and Clare Kelly Heritage Architect in association
• Diocesan School for Girls’ Chapel of Our Glorified Lord and St Barnabas’ Chapel by Salmond Reed Architects and Creative Arch in association
• Gardener’s Rest by Megan Edwards Architects
• Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui by Athfield Architects and Tihei in association
• The Chief Post Office Refurbishment by Cheshire Architects and Salmond Reed Architects in association

Hospitality

• Ayrburn Precinct by SA Studio
• Bunker Bar by Studio John Irving
• Huka Lodge Gym, Spa and Wellness by Christian Anderson Architects
• Te Arai Links North Clubhouse by Cheshire Architects
• The Loft and Kitchen Refurbishment – Craggy Range by RTA Studio

Housing

• Chamberlain Tower by EADA Architects
• Courtyard House by Anna-Marie Chin Architects
• Double Courtyard House by Roberts Gray Architects
• Ember by Monk Mackenzie
• Jack’s House by W3 and Cede in association
• Orchard House by Fearon Hay Architects
• Parenga House by Tennent Brown Architects
• Rare Earth by Assembly Architects
• Roseman Whare by Sunday Architects and Burgess Treep & Knight Architects in association
• Sand Boxes by Herbst Maxcey Metropolitan Architects
• Tahi House by Patterson Associates
• Textured Bach by Nic Owen Architects
• Two Sheds by RTA Studio

Housing – Alterations and Additions

• Sergeant’s Cottage by Guy Tarrant Architects
• Chapter Street by Warren and Mahoney
• Dolly by Studio John Irving
• Onetangi Pavilions by Lynda Simmons Architect and Sayes Jackson Architects
• Red Threads by Pac Studio
• Waka Huia by Pac Studio
• Yansané McMillan House by Bonnifait + Associates Architects (Atelierworkshop)

Housing – Multi-unit

• Aro Living Townhouse Development by architecture+
• Our Whare Our Fale by First Light Studio and Central Pacific Collective in association
• Exhibit by Monk Mackenzie
• Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Stage 2 by Andrew Barrie Lab
• Rongo Te Ata by Ashton Mitchell

Interior Architecture

• Beca House – Te Paeroa o Te Kawau by Warren and Mahoney
• Precinct Flex – Pipiri Lane by Warren and Mahoney
• Te Tumu – New Zealand International Convention Centre by Warren and Mahoney, Moller Architects and Woods Bagot in association
• TRA by Jose Gutierrez

Planning and Urban Design

• Dallington Bridge by Isthmus

Public Architecture

• BNZ Theatre by Jasmax and Charcoalblue in association
• Chapel of St Thérèse of Lisieux by Bull O’Sullivan Architecture
• MTG – Hawke’s Bay Museum Research & Archives Centre by RTA Studio
• Te Rua Archives New Zealand by Warren and Mahoney and Tihei in association
• Te Tumu – New Zealand International Convention Centre by Warren and Mahoney, Moller Architects and Woods Bagot in association
• The Court Theatre by Haworth Tompkins and Athfield Architects in association
• Whakamaru by Three Line Studio

Small Project Architecture

• Aluume Spa by Hyndman Taylor Architects
• Kererū Corner by Shaw & Shaw Architects
• Living House by RTA Studio
• St Luke’s Hospitality Centre by Andrew Barrie Lab
• Summerhill ’23 & ’24 by Andrew Barrie Lab, Gregory Mann and Billy Pengelly in association

The New Zealand Architecture Awards are presented annually by Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects. Established in 1905, the membership-based professional organisation represents more than 90 percent of registered architects in Aotearoa and currently has more than 4,000 members.

Explore the practices featured in this article on ArchiPro

Anna-Marie Chin Architects · Architectus · architecture+ · Arthouse Architects · Assembly Architects · Bonnifait + Associates Architects · Bull O’Sullivan Architecture · Christian Anderson Architects · Creative Arch · DPA Architects · Edwards White Architects · First Light Studio Ltd · Herbst Maxcey Metropolitan Architects · Hyndman Taylor Architects · Ignite Architects · Jasmax · Leuschke Group Architects · Megan Edwards Architects · Moller Architects · Monk Mackenzie · Pac Studio · Parsonson Architects · Patterson Associates · Roberts Gray Architects · RTA Studio · Salmond Reed Architects · Sayes Jackson Architects · Shaw & Shaw Architects · Sheppard & Rout Architects · Studio John Irving Architects · Studio Pacific Architecture · Sunday Architects · Tennent Brown Architects · W3