The NZ Interior Awards celebrate the most innovative and compelling interior and spatial design projects in Aotearoa. The 2026 programme will recognise excellence across commercial, residential and community environments, showcasing the designers, teams and collaborators shaping Aotearoa’s built environment.

Key dates

• Entries close – 5pm Wed 27th May 2026
• Finalists announced – Wed 10th June 2026
• Finalists present live – Tues 23rd & Wed 24th June 2026 at Residium, Parnell
• Awards night – Thurs 23rd July 2026 at St Matthews-in-the-City

Entry fees for Emerging Design Professional are $80, with all other Categories priced at $160 per entry. Fees include GST.

Emerging Design Professional

This award celebrates the next generation of leadership. Eligible professionals must be 35 years of age or under as of 1 May 2026. (Exception: Career-changers may enter if they are under 40 as of 1 May 2026 and have been practicing for a maximum of 8 years).

Judging Criteria:

1. Body of Work: Detail your professional journey, achievements, and contributions to the design sector.
2. Philosophy: State your design ethos and demonstrate how this is manifested in your project involvement.
3. Support (Optional): You may include a statement of endorsement from a client or employer.

Note: This category is not eligible for the ‘Premier Award’.

ENTER EMERGING DESIGNER AWARD

Professional Categories

Workplace, Civic, Education, Hospitality, Retail, and Healthcare & Wellness Projects must have been completed between September 2023 and April 2025.

Residential and Residential Kitchen Projects must have been completed between April 2024 and April 2026.

Submission Requirements (700 characters total):

• Project Overview & Response to Brief: A concise background of the project and how the design met the client’s objectives.
• Detailing & Materiality: The execution and selection of finishes/structure.
• Innovation & Creativity: The unique spatial or experiential solutions applied.

ENTER PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY

General Entry Requirements

All submissions across all categories must include:

• Studio & Lead Designer names
• Formal Client approval for entry
• Comprehensive Project Credits (Specialist Consultants, Sponsors, and Collaborators)
• Imagery including Photo Credits where applicable

Please note you will be prompted to make payment when submitting your entry. Entries can be saved & continued in stages if needed.

Prizes

Recognition doesn’t end on the awards night. Finalists and winners are supported through a national platform that extends beyond the awards, connecting leading projects with the broader design community through NZ Design Week.

Finalists

• Double-pass to the NZ Design Week Conference 2027 on Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th March
• Opportunity to showcase their work at Shed 10 during NZDW on Sunday 7th – Tuesday 9th March
• Inclusion in programme communications and media coverage

Category Winners

• Invitation to host an event within the NZ Design Week 2027 programme (conditions apply)
• Editorial inclusion across partner media
• All Finalist benefits listed above

Premier Award

• Reserved table for eight on day two of the NZ Design Week Conference 2027 on Tuesday 9th March
• Invitation to present their project or studio’s creative process on day one of the NZ Design Week Conference on Monday 8th March
• All Winner and Finalist benefits

Winners gain ongoing visibility and connection through NZ Design Week – a platform that continues well beyond the awards.