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NZ Timber Design Awards 2026

Finalists announced • Gala Event - Friday 26 June, Cordis, Auckland

Awards holding image

The New Zealand Timber Design Awards are back

Now entering their 51st year in 2026, these prestigious Awards celebrate the best in timber design and construction and provide a national platform to recognise outstanding achievement in the use of timber across the built environment.

Proudly hosted by us, Timber Unlimited, the Awards recognise the businesses, people, and teams who are at the forefront of the timber revolution, using timber to deliver beautiful, high-performance, low-carbon, exemplary projects – from large-scale commercial and public buildings through to residential, interior and innovation-focused work.

Event information

Accommodation specials


Cordis Hotel Auckland
4.5 Star Hotel 
83 Symonds Street 
Auckland 
09 379 5132 

Booking Code: TIMBER
Booking link: Cordis

  • Enter your guest totals, check-in/out dates on the right-hand side and load the Booking  Code into the Special Codes or Rates box (on the right-hand side of the calendar) to get the negotiated group rate
  • Select your room and proceed to check out

Mercure Auckland – Queen Street
4.5 Star Hotel 
500 Queen Street 
Auckland 
09 281 6363 

Distance to conference venue: 3 min walk 
Booking link: TDAwards 

Grand Millennium Auckland
4.5 Star Hotel 
71 Mayoral Drive 
Auckland 
09 366 3000

Distance to conference venue: 10 min walk 
Booking Code: TTDA26
Booking Link: MillenniumHotels

  • Enter your check-in/out dates on the right-hand side and “Check Availability”
  • Load the Group Code into the Group Code cell under “Codes and Options” (on the right-hand side of the screen) to get the negotiated group rate
  • Select your room and proceed to check out
Format

Formal gala dinner with pre‑dinner networking drinks & canapés, staged awards presentations, and professional photography coverage.

Important dates

What's new in 2026

The new way to vote for your favourite entry

For the first time, the Simpson Strong-Tie People’s Choice Award will be decided live on the night by guests at the Gala Event and online voters. This new format puts the spotlight firmly on the audience, giving everyone a chance to help crown one of the 2026 NZ Timber Design Awards winners in real time.

More details about how you can vote for your favourite finalist will be shared closer to the night.
 

A new dynamic awards format

With exciting new categories added, this year’s event is set to be bigger and better! To give everyone extra time to connect and network before the sit-down dinner, we’re introducing a dynamic new two-part format.

2026 categories

2026 Sponsors - Overall Awards

Green School - Kina

Boon / Charlotte Curd

Green school Kina outside
Previous award winners
The 2023 winners showed a deep understanding of timber’s resilience and strength, acoustics, sustainability, beauty and design versatility. 

Continuing to build trust in the possibilities of timber

The New Zealand Timber Design Society (TDS) has become the new home for Timber Unlimited, providing a stable foundation for the initiative's continued growth.