The House of the Year awards are back for another year and that means another year of awards for our collective Sentinel Homes trophy cabinet, with our builds across the country being recognised for their craftsmanship, innovation, and quality.
For over 30 years, the Registered Master Builders House of the Year has been New Zealand’s premier building competition, celebrating the very best in residential building and the builders behind them. Judges score entrants on workmanship, design, style, functionality and general consideration, with the top entrants winning either a Gold, Silver or Bronze award.
Managing Director of Sentinel Homes, Stuart Shutt, is happy to once again have had so many franchises recognised in the most recent awards.
“Success in the Master Builder House of the Year competition helps to highlight our dedication to craftsmanship and quality. Plus, it really validates our team’s hard work and commitment to excellence.”
Read on to learn about our newly awarded homes and what helped them take out some of the top prizes in 2025.
It’s pretty rare for a building franchise to build a brand new home completely for charity, and it’s even rarer for that home to be rewarded with Gold for its design flair, creativity, and considered detail. But that is exactly what this delightful family home has achieved. This charity build was created by Sentinel Homes’ Auckland North and West franchise, with profits donated to the Parenting Place, making this an extra special win. The judges described the home as a thoughtful, beautiful and restful place, praising its precision and attention to detail.
The team were also awarded Gold and a Top One Hundred recognition for their expertly built two-storey Belmont residence that celebrates architectural flair without sacrificing warmth, flow, or everyday function. Of particular note was the careful consideration present throughout the home, with additional insulation, a media room, high-quality glazing, and top-tier fixtures.
“We pour so much heart, skill, and energy into each project, so to have that recognised at the highest level in our industry is incredibly rewarding,” says Director Maree van de Water. “It’s proof that when you build with us, you’re not just getting a house, you're getting award-winning quality, innovative design, and a team that’s committed to excellence.”
Our Waikato team had a night to remember. They took home some top prizes this year, including a national Top 100, regional category and two lifestyle awards for their Rukuhia home that is as sustainable as it is luxurious, with judges praising the team’s careful recycling and repurposing as part of their Waste Project initiative. But that’s not the only thing they loved, calling this architecturally designed property a masterclass in design that’s brimming with features.
The team also took out another Top 100 and regional category award for their 137sqm Hamilton build that makes smart use of space with a contemporary edge. “The final product was a real testament to the collaboration of our whole team with the client,” explains Managing Director Nate Alley. “This home is amazing value and goes to show what can be done for under $500k. With great design, you can fit a lot of home into a small footprint, and just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you have to sacrifice quality.”
When talking about this clifftop Mellons Bay home, franchise owner Barney Culloty described it as “a place with timeless appeal, majestic sea views and the complete coordination of material, colour, and fittings.” The judges agreed, awarding it Gold for its classic styling and craftsmanship. They also made particular note of how the home was cleverly shaped around the stunning sea views with skilful architecture and seemingly effortless indoor-outdoor connection.
It only takes a quick look at this stunning New Plymouth family home to know it’s a winner. A stunning design combined with a laser focus on every detail has really made for something quite special. The result is a beautiful home that suits the young family that lives here perfectly, with thoughtful details and a layout that works for their lives.
This isn’t the first Gold award for Sentinel Homes’ Taranaki team, and this consistent success is something Co-owner Andrew Kuriger is most happy with. “I’m really proud of the team for consistently achieving Gold at Master Builders House of the Year Awards. It's one thing to believe you are offering clients tremendous value for money and quality builds, but I love that we can back that up with our work constantly scoring highly both regionally and nationally, proving we are offering quality that goes above industry standard.”
Our Counties & Franklin franchise also took home yet another award, this time for their multi-unit development in Karaka that proves that you can work on a budget without sacrificing style or liveability. The judges loved how these duplex homes delivered a sense of spaciousness and a distinctly premium feel, as well as thoughtful details like ample storage, feature-lit kitchen splashback, and contemporary exterior. Managing Director Will Batts explains that the cohesive design and attention to detail that went into this build is what can be expected from every project they undertake.
“Sentinel means quality, and awards like this just go to show how we’re able to deliver high-caliber homes at a competitive price.”
These award-winning homes are not only great examples of the craftsmanship and design you can expect from Sentinel Homes, but also of the care and attention our teams put into every single build. As Nate from our Waikato franchise puts it, “We don't build the way we do to win awards, but it's really validating for our teams to be recognised for their effort and skill across the board.”
Looking to get started on your own award-winning home? Get in touch with your local Sentinel Homes team today.
Let’s get together for a free, no-pressure meeting with one of our team, at your place or ours.
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