A Bay of Plenty construction innovator has taken out a top honour at the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards.

Truss House, a locally based company, won the Growth and Scale category, one of the country’s most prominent awards for agricultural and primary industry innovation.

The award recognises the company’s patented portal frame building system, which combines floor, wall and roof structures into a single factory-manufactured timber frame.

The system is produced using New Zealand’s existing network of frame and truss plants and plantation pine, with no need for new factories, supply chains or specialist labour.

In a statement, co-founder Kim Aitken said the award reflected a wider industry effort.

“Innovation is never a solo activity. It’s always a team sport,” he said.

“This represents engineers willing to think differently, manufacturers willing to experiment, builders willing to try something new, and partners keen to solve one of New Zealand’s most persistent problems.”

Co-founder Pamela Aitken said the system builds on New Zealand’s tradition of practical, homegrown solutions.

Pam Aitken. Photo / Supplied

The Truss House system aims to address long-standing challenges in the construction sector, including rising costs, labour shortages and long build times, while also adding value to locally sourced timber.

Residential builds using the system can be completed in four to six weeks, with homes designed to exceed minimum energy efficiency standards.

The system is licensed to Pryda, part of ITW Construction, providing builders and councils with pre-engineered structural assurance through PS1 producer statements to help streamline consenting.

Pryda engineering and builder solutions manager Adam Dawson said the system represented a major shift in off-site construction.

“Nothing comes close in terms of efficiency to design, manufacture and build,” he said.

The product is being rolled out nationally through a partnership with the Bunnings NZ network, with show homes planned across the country and more than 200 units targeted.

Pōhutukawa Frame and Truss director Myles Whitcher said the system offered manufacturers a way to scale production without significant capital investment.

“There’s no upfront capex and no need to build a new factory,” he said.

Looking ahead, Truss House plans to expand further across New Zealand, with a focus on larger homes, community and affordable housing, and multi-unit developments.