St Kentigerns Pre school 3

NZ Timber Design Awards 2026

• Entries are now closed • Finalists will be contacted on Wednesday 15 April • 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

Format

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

Important dates
Accommodation special

Special rates for a room at the Cordis can be accessed here
Promo code: TIMBER

What's new in 2026

New categories

With the use of timber construction continuing to grow, we are introducing two new categories:
- International Project Award
- Public & Community Building Award

We have also refined several of the other award categories to provide clearer guidance and help entrants assess which category best fits their project.

You can check out the category details and judging criteria here.

Changes to the two-staged entry approach

We’ve refined the two-stage entry and judging process to provide clearer and more specific requirements for each stage.

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

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.