Aotearoa New Zealand is a force to reckoned with in the world of architecture and design and, with the most ever submissions for the 2026 INDE.Awards, the standing of the country on our Indo-Pacific regional stage is assured.

In this, the tenth anniversary year of the INDE.Awards we welcomed the Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects as Strategic Partners of the program and the Institute should be proud of the contribution of its members.

Nine submissions were shortlisted in the INDEs this year and the practitioners of Aotearoa New Zealand display the breadth of talent in their country – as architects with long standing careers and those who are just beginning their professional journey.

As there are only ever 12 entries shortlisted in each project category, it is a great achievement for a practice to be chosen by the jury. As the INDE.Awards is a regional program that spans the Indo-Pacific, it is indeed an honour to be nominated for any category shortlist.

In The Building category, New Zealand practices and projects shortlisted are Warren and Mahoney in association with Moller Architects and Woods Bagot for the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) and Studio Pacific Architecture for Hangar 4.

In The Interior Space, the Wainui Church conversion by Warren and Mahoney was shortlisted and in The Living Space, Roberts Gray Architects’ Double Courtyard House is recognised.

The next generation of talented architects has already made their mark in The Graduate category, with Thomas Arbuckle and Jordan Knight from Victoria University of Wellington and Hashley Ricafranca and James Corles from the University of Auckland all shortlisted. While Micah Rickards, principal of Micah Rickards Architecture, represents Aotearoa New Zealand in The Prodigy.

Congratulations to all those shortlisted and thank you to everyone who entered the INDE.Awards. The achievements of the Aotearoa New Zealand architecture and design community are showcased on the regional and global stages through the INDEs, and the presence of these practitioners signifies the depth of talent and creativity that resides in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

The INDE.Awards gala will be held in Melbourne on Thursday 30^th July 2026 where we look forward to celebrating the best design from our region.