Wānaka homes have earned a slew of accolades at the Southern Master Builders House of the Year Awards 2025.

The annual competition recognises the best homes and those who brought them to life.

‘Special Delivery’, built by Owens Building, was one of two Wānaka houses to take a coveted regional category winner award.

Judges described the meticulously crafted 180sqm home as “traditional alpine architecture … reimagined and given a contemporary edge”.

‘Twin Peaks’ by Jennian Homes Wānaka. PHOTO: Isaac Norton and Simon Larkin

It also won a gold award, as did the second regional category winner, Twin Peaks.

Judges said the Jennian Homes Wānaka build “blends charm with modern simplicity”.

“Clad in a mix of materials, including natural stone and crisp black finishes reflective of the rural vernacular, it offers instant street appeal in a scenic setting.”

Other local homes to win awards included ‘Whale House’, a 300sqm architectural build which judges said was “inspired by the elegance of a diving whale’s tail” (built by Home Factor) and ‘Architectural Adventure’, defined by “angles, overhangs and unexpected moments” (built by Archi Build Ltd).

‘Whale House’ was inspired by a diving whale’s tail. PHOTO: Supplied

‘Scandi Southern’, a generous-sized, future-proofed family retreat (built by Dunlop Builders) was also recognised, as was a much smaller 69sqm holiday retreat, ‘Simple Miracle’, (built by Owens Building).

Rounding out the eight local winners were ‘Modernist in Mood’ (built by Gibson Builders) and ‘Quietly Confident’ (built by Buildcraft), both imposing, clean lined homes praised by the judges for their forms.

Jennian Homes Wānaka managing director Nathan Simon said it was great to “see Central and Wānaka so well represented with fantastic results” in the awards.

“We are extremely proud of our guys and contractors that deliver on every house.”

‘Simple Miracle’ measures just 69sqm. PHOTO: Isaac Norton 

The Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards is held in two stages.

First is the regional level, and from the award winners 100 homes are selected for Top 100 status and proceed to a second round of national judging, before the National House of the Year Awards in November. 

Find full details of all the homes and awards from the Southern House of the Year Awards 2025 here.

‘Modernist in Mood’ was “quietly confident”, judges said. PHOTO: Isaac Norton