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Three Mangawhai-based building companies have earned national recognition for their expert craftsmanship, with projects in Paparoa, Te Ārai and Mangawhai Heads securing a Top 100 homes spot in the 2026 Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition.
Smith Construction NZ, Brogan Builders and N F Construction all secured Gold Awards in the Auckland/Northland/Coromandel regional competition, with their individual builds also going on to make the prestigious Top 100 list.
Smith Construction NZ also took out the regional Resene New Home $2 million–$4 million category for its Mangawhai Heads build.
Perched on one of the steepest sites at Mangawhai Point, the striking home makes the most of its challenging hillside location with panoramic views across the harbour and sand dunes.
The upper level, clad in vertical cedar, cantilevers over the landscape, creating shelter below while framing the coastal outlook. The main open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas, along with the master bedroom suite, occupy the northern frontage, with expansive glazing opening onto a covered deck. A sheltered rear courtyard provides wind protection, while a secondary wing includes an office, additional bedroom, and bathroom.
Brogan Builders earned a Regional Gold Award in the Renovation over $2 million category for its Paparoa project, which was also named among the national Top 100.
The 349sqm home was created following a devastating fire that destroyed most of the original farmhouse. Rather than simply rebuilding what was lost, the project developed into an extensive redesign, resulting in a four-bedroom, four-bathroom rural retreat.
Brogan Builders’ Grant Eager says receiving the Gold Award was validation for the entire team involved, from the clients and architects to the subcontractors and building crew.
“Everyone was on the same page, and that was to turn around the devastation of the fire and recreate a new home and sanctuary for our clients,” Brogan says.
The home is arranged across a series of linked pavilions wrapping around a courtyard and long swimming pool, allowing almost every room to connect with the outdoors.
Rounding out the local success was N F Construction, which received a Regional Gold Award and Top 100 placing for its Ocean View home at Te Ārai.
The 319sqm architectural holiday home sits on an elevated coastal site and features a pavilion-style design intended to maximise its connection with the surrounding landscape.
Floor-to-ceiling glazing and raked cedar ceilings feature throughout the main living pavilion, which opens to outdoor entertaining areas, including a louvre-covered space, fireplace and swimming pool.
A second wing accommodates five bedrooms, the main bathroom, media room and two-car garage, with each bedroom opening onto a deck to take advantage of the coastal views.
The three projects will now progress to the national stage of the competition, with the Top 100 undergoing a second round of judging ahead of the National Awards Gala in Auckland on November 21.
