Tararua home wins gold for builders

A new home nestled in the Tararua foothills is a gold award recipient in the East Coast, Manawatu and Whanganui Registered Master Builders 2017 House of the Year competition.

Amak Construction won two awards for their custom-made, affordable residence that includes an energy saving septic system, solar panels and wetback fire.

They received a gold award and the highest points to gain a category win in the Resene New Home up to $450,000 Award.

Master Builder and Amak Construction director Mark Kitchin has worked for more than 21 years in the construction industry, previously working as a lecturer at UCOL teaching carpentry.

He says this year's gold winning four-bedroom, two-bathroom open-plan home delivered their vision to build quality over quantity.

"For us it's about always going above industry standard to deliver a quality home, regardless of how much money a client has to spend.

"We are absolutely thrilled. It's so good to be recognised for all the hard work the guys put into the house."

Last year Amak also won silver for the $400,000 - $550,000 range and, in 2015, a home they built for a franchise company won first place in the $300,000 to $400,000 range.

"To be fair, this is people's livelihoods and everyone deserves good builders and a quality home to live in," Kitchin says. "We are extremely proud that we deliver exactly that, and it's a thrill to hand over these homes to our clients and be a part of that."

The results of the regional competition were revealed at the gala dinner on July 15 at the Napier Conference Centre.

There to celebrate were East Coast, Manawatu and Whanganui Registered Master Builders Association members and colleagues from the local construction industry.

There were 11 gold winners from the East Coast, Manawatu and Whanganui who will now be judged against winners from around the country to find the National Gold Reserve finalists.

National category winners and the Registered Master Builders Supreme Awards for House of the Year and Renovation of the Year will be announced at a gala dinner on November 25 at SKYCITY in Auckland.

For more information about the competition, visit houseoftheyear.co.nz