There’s still time to enter the Here Awards: entries close a week or so after this magazine comes out. As I write this in late May, the projects are starting to come in and, as always, I’m impressed and a little awed by what we’re seeing. The more so given the uncertainty and disruption that’s unfolded around the world over the past few years.
People often ask me what we look for in an awards programme, and I’m always a little flummoxed by the answer. Because the point of an awards programme, I think, is that you get the chance to be surprised and inspired by what comes in.
We’ve seen plenty of that in recent years, across a wide range of typologies. We’ve seen excellent projects in the Density category, and we’ve seen some corkers in Reuse and Renovation. We’ve seen large-format luxury in the New House category, and we’ve seen some of the smallest, most pure projects we’ve yet published in the magazine. The point is not what they are – it’s how they were designed, and what makes them interesting, novel or fun.
Together with our rōpū of Guy Tarrant, winner of Best House Aotearoa 2025, and Elspeth Gray, a principal at Roberts Gray Architects, who won our inaugural Unbuilt category back in 2024, I’ll be on the road in early September, visiting the projects in person. We’re looking for novel ideas, beautiful moments and excellent execution. Then, we’ll announce the category winners and Best House Aotearoa at The Hotel Britomart in October.
Entry is online – you’ll need some high-res photos, a plan and a blurb. Send us an email at hello@thisishere.nz if you have any questions.
Thanks, as ever, to our loyal partners Resene, Città and Blum – and to our event partner The Hotel Briotomart, part of Collection by TFE Hotels. Keep the entries coming!
The Winners So Far...
2021: Super Taper by Jack McKinney Architects
McKinney’s design for a south-facing villa on an inner-city site revolved around an ethereal 70-square-metre addition topped by a skylight which tracked sun through the day, with earthy interiors by designer Katie Lockhart.
2022: Waimataruru by Kristina Pickford Design and Pac Studio
This environmentally minded house is deceptively simple, yet the experience of the space is complex. The views are stunning, but they’re not overbearing. A rich interior mixes modern and historic influences with a faintly Japanese air.
2023: Poppa's Palace by Oli Booth Architecture
Squeezed into a tight corner between a public carpark, a pedestrian walkway and a character zone sits a small house for Pete – a retired vet – and his dog Sheba. With every possible constraint, Booth created a cleverly organised, light-filled home.
2024: Berhampore Perimeter House by Studio Myla
As much a piece of urban design as it is a family home for architect Mark Leong and ceramicist Lucy Coote, this genre-defining villa renovation is a sleek piece of design with the edges knocked off: architecture combined with craft.
2025: Sergeant's Cottage by Guy Tarrant Architects
Combining the renovation of a utilitarian 1940s cottage and an identically scaled new building, this project creates a dynamic family home in just 66 square metres. Beautiful new details are inspired by heritage features – including an interior using repurposed rimu sarking, and painted timber screens.
2026 Dates
July 3 Entries close
September: Judging
October 27: Awards announced
Here Awards 2026
#hereawards2026
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