Nine Wānaka building companies have been singled out in the Registered Master Builders House of the Year Southern Regional Awards. 

The annual competition recognises the best homes, builders and craftspeople and the local companies were selected from a pool of nearly 300 entries.

They included Archi Build, Integrity Homes, Christie Brothers Building, Hudson Builders, Bayview Construction, David Reid Homes Wānaka and Central Otago, Home Factor, I C Builders, and Jennian Homes Wānaka. 

Judges praised the “exceptional design and quality craftsmanship”.

Archi Build’s construction of a 252m2 Wānaka home with a standout kitchen earned the company a Build the Kitchen Excellence award as well as a Gold award, with judges noting both the “exceptional design and quality craftsmanship”.

The three-bedroom home “with hidden nooks and beautiful finishes” impressed judges throughout, but the kitchen - modern with a 60s touch - was singled out.

“Its detailing and accurate construction seamlessly integrate it within this family home, resulting in a truly stunning and well-executed kitchen,” judges said

Judges credited David Reid Homes Wānaka & Central Otago for a range of work, including the attention to detail on the roof structure, in this empty-nesters’ hideaway.

David Reid Homes Wānaka & Central Otago were the winners of the New Home $1M-$1.5M, plus a gold award, for an “expertly constructed” 345sqm home for a pair of retirees - with room to host multiple generations of their family - on Mt Iron. 

The company’s expert work on the complicated rooflines earned special praise.

“Exhibiting excellent craftsmanship and unified integration of Espan and cedar cladding, both in roofing and exterior finishes, the roof structure is impressively straight and true, especially considering the length of the main mono-pitched area,” judges said.

“The flashings around openings are well crafted, with clever concealment of slab-level WANZ bars. The hidden door leading to the private main suite highlights the fine attention to detail and finishing by the team at David Reid Homes Wānaka & Central Otago.”

The substantial Mt Iron Home has “fine attention to detail,” judges said.

Another three Wānaka building companies - Christie Brothers Building, Integrity Homes, and Hudson Builders - received a Gold award, given to entrants who achieve 90 percent of the available points and are judged to be at least 80 percent above industry standard.

Four more received a Silver award, for entries that achieve 82.5 percent of points and are at least 65 percent above industry standard. They were - I C Builders, Jennian Homes Wānaka, Home Factor (x3), and Bayview Construction.

Learn more about the homes and other regional winners here.

PHOTOS: Register Master Builders