Four projects. One theme: progress. From city regeneration and civic resilience to future-focused education, this year’s winners demonstrate how the built environment can create lasting value for communities across New Zealand.
As Principal Sponsor of the Property Council New Zealand Property Industry Awards for the past 29 years, Rider Levett Bucknall is proud to support a programme that celebrates excellence across New Zealand’s built environment and recognises projects that create lasting value for owners, occupants and communities. The awards recognise far more than outstanding buildings. They celebrate the vision, innovation, collaboration and expertise required to create places that inspire, serve and endure for generations to come.
At the 2026 Property Industry Awards, four RLB-supported projects were recognised with category wins, including the programme’s highest honour, the Rider Levett Bucknall Supreme Award.
Steve Gracey, Auckland Managing Director, said the awards continue to highlight the important role the property and construction sector plays in shaping communities across New Zealand.
For nearly three decades, RLB has proudly supported the Property Industry Awards because they recognise the vision, collaboration and expertise required to deliver projects that create lasting value. In a challenging market, it is particularly important to celebrate the people, partnerships and projects that continue to shape the future of New Zealand’s built environment.
Together, the projects showcase the breadth of impact the built environment can have. From revitalising city centres and protecting nationally significant collections to investing in the next generation of creative talent, each project demonstrates how thoughtful development can strengthen communities and create lasting value.
Mareanui recognised with Supreme Award
Mareanui – 90 Devonport Road was the standout project of the evening, receiving the Rider Levett Bucknall Supreme Award alongside both the Commercial Office Property Award and Sustainable Building Property Award.
Anchoring the ongoing regeneration of Tauranga’s city centre, Mareanui has become a symbol of the city’s ambition and confidence. Developed by Willis Bond and designed by Warren and Mahoney, the eight-storey commercial office building demonstrates how sustainability, workplace performance and commercial success can work hand in hand.
Delivered on time and under budget, and fully tenanted prior to completion, Mareanui demonstrates how environmental performance, commercial discipline and community benefit can be successfully aligned.
The project incorporates one of New Zealand’s largest mass timber office structures, using more than 2,700m³ of Cross Laminated Timber and 900m³ of Laminated Veneer Lumber sourced from Rotorua and Nelson. The building achieves a 60 per cent reduction in lifecycle carbon emissions, stores more than 2,700 tonnes of CO₂ and holds a 6 Star Green Star Design rating, while targeting both WELL Gold and 5 Star NABERSNZ certification.
Property Council New Zealand Chief Executive Leonie Freeman described Mareanui as a project that represents the very best of the industry:
Property has always been about more than bricks, mortar and balance sheets. At its best, it shapes the way people work, connect and participate in their city.
The judges recognised not only the environmental performance of the building, but its wider contribution to Tauranga’s city centre and the strength of collaboration behind its delivery.
Chris Haines, Director, Auckland, said the project sets an important benchmark for the future of commercial development in New Zealand.
90 Devonport Road demonstrates what is possible through strong collaboration, client vision and delivery certainty, setting a benchmark for mass timber office development and the evolving future of commercial construction.
RLB provided Cost Management and Quantity Surveying services to the project.
Te Rua Archives New Zealand sets a benchmark for civic infrastructure
Winner of the Civic, Health and Arts Property Award, Te Rua Archives New Zealand has been designed to protect some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most important records, archives and taonga for generations to come.
Located within Wellington’s parliamentary precinct, the 21,500sqm facility establishes a new benchmark for cultural stewardship, resilience and technical excellence. The purpose-built development combines highly specialised archival storage, conservation laboratories, digitisation facilities, public spaces and workplaces within a single civic asset. It was delivered through a once-in-a-generation public-private partnership and completed on time and on budget.
Described as the Southern Hemisphere’s most seismically resilient civic building, Te Rua has been designed to safeguard nationally significant records and taonga while maintaining functionality following a major event.
Inspired by the traditional concept of the pātaka, Te Rua reflects its role as a place of protection, stewardship and care. The project demonstrates how civic infrastructure can successfully balance highly technical requirements with cultural significance and public value.
Vaughan Plant, Principal, Wellington, said the project reflects the strength of collaboration and shared purpose across the project team.
Te Rua is an extraordinary project that brings together resilience, technical innovation, and cultural significance in a truly enduring civic asset. Delivering a facility of this complexity on time and on budget reflects the strength of collaboration, shared vision, and commitment across the entire project team.
In addition to winning the Civic, Health and Arts Property Award, Te Rua also received an Excellence Award in the Sustainable Building category.
RLB provided Cost Management and Quantity Surveying services to the project.
Kōawa invests in New Zealand’s creative future
At the University of Canterbury, Kōawa Post Production Building received the Education Property Award for its contribution to creative technologies, industry engagement and future-focused learning.
The purpose-built digital screen facility brings together Kōawa Post Production Building and the University’s Bachelor of Digital Screen programme, creating one of New Zealand’s most advanced film, gaming and mixed reality training hubs. Positioned as a key South Island production hub, Kōawa helps strengthen New Zealand’s screen and creative technology sectors by bringing commercial production facilities together with education and research environments, supporting innovation, industry partnerships and the development of industry-ready graduates.
More than an education facility, Kōawa represents an investment in the future of New Zealand’s creative economy. The building enables students, researchers and industry professionals to work side-by-side in environments that mirror professional practice, creating stronger pathways between education and employment.
Chris Perrins, Director, Christchurch, said the project demonstrates the value of collaboration between industry and education.
Kōawa combines specialised technical requirements with a collaborative delivery approach, creating a highly capable facility that supports creativity, innovation and industry connection.
The category winners were supported by a further six Excellence Awards and two Merit Awards across the RLB project portfolio.
RLB provided Quantity Surveying services to the project.
NZICC strengthens New Zealand’s tourism and events sector
The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) was recognised with the Holmes Tourism and Leisure Property Award, acknowledging one of the most significant tourism and event infrastructure projects delivered in New Zealand this century.
Located in central Auckland, the 88,000sqm development delivers 32,500sqm of flexible event space, including New Zealand’s largest theatre and extensive exhibition facilities. Designed to attract major international conferences, exhibitions and business events, the project is expected to play a significant role in supporting Auckland’s visitor economy and strengthening New Zealand’s global events capability.
The judges recognised the project’s scale, flexibility and national significance, noting its ability to host multiple events simultaneously while providing a world-class experience for international visitors.
Richard Anderson, Project Director, Auckland, said the project demonstrates the importance of investing in city-shaping infrastructure that delivers long-term economic and community benefits.
NZICC is a landmark project that strengthens New Zealand’s position as a destination for major international events while creating lasting benefits for Auckland’s visitor economy and wider business community.
RLB provided Quantity Surveying services to the project.
Recognition across New Zealand
Excellence Awards
- Beca House – Te Paeroa o te Kawau and Pipiri Lane, Auckland – Commercial Office Property Award
- Horotiu Office, Hamilton – Commercial Office Property Award
- Beca House – Te Paeroa o te Kawau and Pipiri Lane, Auckland – Sustainable Building Property Award
- Te Iho Bowen House, Wellington – Commercial Office Property Award
- Te Iho Bowen House, Wellington – Sustainable Building Property Award
- Te Rua Archives New Zealand, Wellington – Sustainable Building Property Award
Merit Awards
- Auckland Airport Transport Hub, Auckland – Sustainable Building Property Award
- Ōtepoti, Dunedin – Commercial Office Property Award
Congratulations to all clients, project teams and industry partners recognised this year.
The 2026 Property Industry Awards demonstrate that even in a complex and challenging market, New Zealand’s property and construction sector continues to deliver projects that strengthen communities, drive economic growth and create places where people can live, work, learn and connect. As Principal Sponsor, RLB is proud to celebrate the people and partnerships behind these achievements and the lasting contribution they make to New Zealand’s built environment.
Explore our project finalists in the 2026 RLB Project Showcase
Explore the full list of 2026 winners on the Property Council New Zealand website
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