Twenty-two architectural projects across Waikato and the Bay of Plenty have been deemed the very best in Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects’ Regional Awards this year.  

There were two double winners in the region this year, with 90 Devonport Road by Warren and Mahoney (Commercial Architecture, Interior Architecture) and the BNZ Theatre by Jasmax and Charcoalblue in association (Heritage, Public Architecture) taking home two awards each.

Smaller projects also figured prominently in the awards this year, with the jury awarding four projects from Rotorua, Papamoa, Ngāruawāhia and Tauranga.

RTA Studio also picked up a Resene Colour Award for The Living House, a project conceived to take on the challenge of creating a sustainable and affordable home that can also be rapidly constructed.  

“What stood out most this year was the strength of work at both ends of the spectrum: from large-scale projects with far-reaching impact, to smaller, modestly funded projects delivering thought-provoking and innovative outcomes beyond their core brief,” says jury convenor and architect Louise Booth of Object Office Architects. “They reflect the quality and creativity of our industry, and the trust clients place in it.”

Booth was joined on the jury Georgia Peacocke (Edwards White Architects), Davor Popadich (Davor Popadich Architects) and Geoff Lentz.

The winners received their awards at an event at the Bay Oval in Tauranga on 15 May. 

Full list of 2026 Waikato & Bay of Plenty Regional Architecture Awards winners by category:

Commercial Architecture

• 90 Devonport Road by Warren and Mahoney (Tauranga)

• Pūtahi Teia by Falk Tapsell and Beca in association (Tauranga)

• The Wedge – Head Office Building by Sheppard & Rout Architects (Horotiu)

• MacMurray Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Centre Tauranga by Wingates (Tauranga)

• Pacific Lakes Village – The Pavilion by Peddle Thorp (Mount Maunganui)

Heritage

• APG Offices (The Old Lodge) by APG Architects (Hamilton)

• BNZ Theatre by Jasmax and Charcoalblue in association (Hamilton)

Hospitality

• Huka Lodge Gym, Spa and Wellness by Christian Anderson Architects (Taupō)

Housing

• Awatere House by Chow:Hill Architects (Hamilton)

• Hauparu Bay by DCA Architects of Transformation and Yvette Jay Interior Design in association (Rotorua)

• Pōhutukawa House by Sumich Chaplin Architects (Pauanui)

• Stretch by Architecture Bureau (Mount Maunganui)

Housing – Alterations and Additions

• Spolia by Architecture Bureau

Housing – Multi-Unit

• The Muse by Construkt Architects (Hamilton)

Interior Architecture

• 90 Devonport Road by Warren and Mahoney (Tauranga)

• Holland Beckett by Wingates (Tauranga)

Public Architecture

• Bay Oval – Craigs Investment Partners Pavilion (Phase 2) by Jasmax (Tauranga)

• BNZ Theatre by Jasmax and Charcoalblue in association (Hamilton)

Small Project Architecture

• Living House by RTA Studio (Rotorua)*

• Summerhill ’23 & ’24 by Andrew Barrie Lab, Gregory Mann and Billy Pengelly in association (Papamoa)

• Te Tohu by Andrew Barrie Lab and Jeremy Cleland in association (Ngāruawāhia)

• Toi Tauranga Art Gallery by Warren and Mahoney (Tauranga)

Note: * denotes Resene Colour Award winner.