Huka Lodge Wins at 2026 Commercial Project Awards
We are excited to share that the Huka Lodge Refurbishment Project was recognised at the Master Builders’ 2026 Commercial Project Awards, winning the Tourism and Leisure National Category.
The category was incredibly competitive, and our comprehensive redesign, refurbishment, and extension of the Huka Lodge squared off against capital projects such as The Court Theatre Christchurch, The Queenstown Gondola Redevelopment, and Parakiore Recreation & Sport Centre, and took both the category win and a Gold Award home.
Huka Lodge, a pioneer of luxury lodges in NZ, sits on 17 hectares beside the Waikato River, just 300m upstream of Huka Falls. Brosnan’s first project in the region required new material, equipment, and labour networks.
The refurbishment project was high-profile and attracted global tourism interest. With limited records on file, the design team developed the detailed design and consent documents. A 6-month ECI phase enabled collaborative workshops between client, design team, and Brosnan to refine buildability and methodology.
Key architectural features were retained, with extensions to the North, South, and East. A new retreat space was built with a bushwalk to the Spa, Sauna, Plunge Pool, and Gym. Landscaping and infrastructure were also upgraded. Multiple trades operated concurrently under a temporary roof, including demolition, steel installation, carpentry, flooring, tiling, and painting.
The judging panel was impressed with the care shown at every level, from the quality of the craftsmanship to the way the new construction sits naturally alongside the existing building, noting:
The refurbishment of Huka Lodge is a meticulously executed project, carried out in an iconic New Zealand tourism setting to beautiful effect. The design is highly compatible with the character of the century-old lodge, while the additions feel seamless and respectful of the surrounding landscape.
The project’s success has been reflected in previous prestigious accolades, including Two MICHELIN Keys, The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 #88 The 51-100 List, Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 #2 World’s Best Resort Australasia and the South Pacific, Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 #19 Best Resort Australia and Pacific, inclusion on Tatler’s Best 100 Hotels Asia-Pacific 2025 and four stars in Forbes Star Awards 2025.
Read more about the project here.
