Judges have started their journey up and down the country seeking New Zealand's top quality builds in this year's Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition.

This year's competition has some exciting new additions, with judges assessing builds within three new categories that reflect the changing building and construction sector – two for Volume and Group House builders, and one for multi units, such as apartments.

More than 370 homes will be assessed as the judges travel around New Zealand. The team of industry experts are tasked with finding the best builds in the country, ranging from new homes and show homes to renovations and builder's own homes, and now also multi-units.

Registered Master Builders Association chief executive David Kelly says this year's competition has evolved to reflect the changing market and the types of homes that are now a part of our landscape.

'Demand for building in this country is calling for new ways of operating and new types of building. Multi-unit dwellings are expected to account for 40 per cent of residential builds by the end of 2021. As the prominent house building competition, we want to ensure we reflect this new landscape,” he says.

'House of the Year showcases what is possible by introducing new trends, materials and approaches. The focus on sustainable building over the past few years is a key example of this. We are now moving into a period which will see a major rise in multi-unit homes and apartments – that is very exciting for the industry and for New Zealand.”

David says the Registered Master Builders Association and the House of the Year competition play a leading role in ensuring a better built New Zealand.

'House of the Year has been celebrating quality and innovation in New Zealand construction for more than 25 years. These changes recognise that the market continues to evolve and grow but the focus of our builders remains on quality across all types of homes and price brackets.

'This competition sets a standard for the industry, and has become a valuable source of ideas for anyone thinking about building a new home or undertaking renovation. We are excited to see the range of homes this year and the innovation that is currently taking place in the industry.”

Judging concludes in June, with Bay of Plenty winners announced in Tauranga on Friday July 28, at ASB Baypark.

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