Fill out the entry form on our website from 1 March, including all relevant details and high-quality images of your project. Incomplete entries will not be accepted. Entrants must be working and living in New Zealand to enter or be nominated, and you can enter yourself or be nominated by an employer or colleague.

COLORSTEEL Awards | Roofing & Cladding Excellence NZ

Q: What are the categories and who can enter?

Installers working with COLORSTEEL® can enter Roofer of the Year and New Roofer of the Year. Architects, designers and builders can enter Residential, Commercial and Lifestyle Building of the Year. Everyone industry wide is eligible to enter the Service to Roofing category, which recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution to the industry.

Q: Is there a timeframe for projects to have been completed by?

All projects entered must have been completed after 1 April 2025 to be eligible. Projects cannot be re-entered if they were previously entered in the COLORSTEEL® Awards 2025.

Q: What is the judging process?

Judging is a two-stage process. A shortlist is selected by the judging panel from the initial entry form, and entrants are contacted within 30 days of entries closing. Shortlisted entrants then provide supporting information and take part in an on-site assessment and interview. Finalists are announced in early October.

Q: What is the judging criteria?

Judges look for exceptional use of COLORSTEEL®, excellent workmanship, high-quality installation, degree of difficulty, impeccable client service and the ability to problem solve. Each category is judged on its own criteria.

Q: Can I enter more than once in the same category?

Yes. You can enter as many projects as you like in the same category. Multiple entries from the same entrant are judged individually, each as a stand-alone entry.

COLORSTEEL® Lifestyle Building of the Year

The COLORSTEEL® Lifestyle Building of the Year Award celebrates the exceptional use of COLORSTEEL® in lifestyle-oriented buildings. This category recognises projects that seamlessly blend functionality, aesthetic appeal, and durability to enhance the way people live, work, or unwind in unique environments. Eligible projects include rural sheds, lifestyle sheds, man caves, tiny homes, and multi-purpose residential spaces (habitable sheds). The winning entry will showcase COLORSTEEL® as the dominant feature of the project, demonstrating how it contributes to the building's design, performance, and integration into its surroundings. This category is open to builders, architects, designers, shed companies, and tiny home builders.

Detailed Criteria

Following initial entry submissions, entrants will be notified if they have progressed to the next round. At this stage, the judging process will include a site visit and an interview with at least two members of the judging panel.

Round One – Judged on the Entry Submission

Entries will be assessed on:

Overall project design – creativity, innovation, and functionality
Exceptional use of COLORSTEEL® – as a defining feature of the build
Integration with surroundings – how the structure complements its environment
Compatibility with other materials – seamless incorporation of COLORSTEEL® with accompanying building materials
Appropriate orientation of product

Round Two – Site Visit & Assessment

Projects that progress to the second round will be evaluated on:

Workmanship and quality – attention to detail and execution
Degree of difficulty – complexity of the design and installation
Suitability for the environment – durability and functionality within its setting

Prize: $10,000 Cash

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COLORSTEEL® Commercial Building of the Year

The esteemed COLORSTEEL® Commercial Building of the Year Award recognises and celebrates the exceptional use of COLORSTEEL® in the commercial sector*. The award winner will have successfully utilised COLORSTEEL® as the leading feature of the building's design. The category will be judged on the whole building with entries open to the architect, designer or builder of the project.

*Commercial Sector - Buildings such as: Manufacturing & processing plants, warehousing facilities and farm buildings. Business spaces public or private sector, office complexes & community buildings such as Libraries, Community and Sports Centres. Major commercial developments in the residential sector, whether apartment buildings, retirement villages, or multi-dwelling developments.

Detailed Criteria:

Following initial entry submissions, entrants will be notified if they have been progressed to the following round. At this point, the judging process will consist of a site visit/s and will include an interview with at least two members of the judging panel.

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Round One – Judged on the entry submission

Style of overall project design
Exceptional use of COLORSTEEL®
Compatibility and seamless integration of accompanying materials with COLORSTEEL®
Appropriate orientation of product

Round Two – Site Visit & Assessment

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An assessment of:

The workmanship and quality of the dwelling including the degree of difficulty
Suitability of the application for the environment

Prize: $10,000 Cash

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COLORSTEEL® Residential Building of the Year

The prestigious COLORSTEEL® Residential Building of the Year award recognises and celebrates the exceptional use of COLORSTEEL® in the residential sector. This category will be judged on the overall physical building, with entry open to all architects, architectural designers, and builders. The winner of this category will have showcased COLORSTEEL® as the dominant feature of the project, with the building's visual aesthetics, functionality and the quality of finishing all taken into consideration.

Detailed Criteria:

‍
Following initial entry submissions, entrants will be notified if they have progressed to the following round. At this point, the judging process will consist of a site visit/s and will include an interview with at least two members of the judging panel.

‍Round One – Judged on the entry submission

Style of overall project design
Exceptional use of COLORSTEEL®
Compatibility and seamless integration of accompanying materials with COLORSTEEL®
Appropriate orientation of product

Round Two – Site Visit & Assessment

‍
An assessment of:

The workmanship and quality of the dwelling including the degree of difficulty
Suitability of the application for the environment

Prize: $10,000 Cash

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The COLORSTEEL® Service to Roofing Award

New Zealand roofing wouldn't be where it is today without the key people who have dedicated their time and resources to training & educating others and ensuring continued innovation of products and processes. This year will see a new acknowledgement, the inaugural COLORSTEEL® Service to Roofing award, to recognise and celebrate those that have made a significant contribution to our industry.

COLORSTEEL® New Roofer of the Year

The COLORSTEEL® New Roofer of the Year award recognises and celebrates the best of our emerging talent. Building on previous years' "Young Roofer of the Year", the category has now been extended out to include all ages. The winning roofer will have demonstrated excellent workmanship and tenacious problem solving, whilst managing the project from inception to completion. To be eligible for this award, this roofer must be new to the roofing profession, having joined the industry after January 2020.

Detailed Criteria:

‍
Following initial entry submissions, the judging process will consist of a site visit/s and will include an interview with at least two members of the judging panel.

‍
Round One – Judged on the entry submission

Exceptional use of COLORSTEEL®
Degree of difficulty
Appropriate orientation of product

Round Two – Site Visit & Assessment

‍
An assessment of:

Workmanship and installation quality, including: Straight cuts, formation of flashings & ridges, consistency of detail, tightening of screws, fixing lines and spacings, straightness at eves, general layout, underlay, direction of lay, correct use of silicon, penetration design, weatherproof scratches and damages, orientation of product. Entrants may be required to produce evidence of additional projects to assess consistency of workmanship
Suitability of the application for the environment
Client Relationship Management and Health & Safety practices
Leadership- Setting a standard for others, making timely decisions when required, great communication. Building a successful team for the project
Professional development – continuing professional learning and development, membership of industry bodies

Prize: $10,000 Cash

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COLORSTEEL® Roofer of the Year

The COLORSTEEL® Roofer of the Year category acknowledges the significant contribution roofers make to our industry. In order to celebrate the true depth of the exceptional roofing talent across New Zealand, the award is broken into 3 categories:

Category A: Tray Profiles – A category designed for the specialised installation of tray profiles
Category B: Trapezoidal Profiles – A category designed to recognise the installation of trapezoidal profiles
Category C: Corrugate Profiles – A category to highlight the work installers are doing with classic corrugate profiles

SUPREME ROOFER OF THE YEAR: An overall COLORSTEEL® Supreme Roofer of the Year will be awarded from the winners of the three afore mentioned categories.

For Category A-B-C, entrants will be judged on one entry but are welcome to enter more than one project. A range of criteria will be taken into consideration by the judging panel including the degree of project difficulty, aesthetics, problem-solving, and health & safety practices. Wining roofers will show outstanding workmanship, demonstrate leadership and have excellent communication skills.

Detailed Criteria:

‍
Following initial entry submissions, entrants will be notified if they have been progressed to the following round. At this point, the judging process will consist of a site visit/s and will include an interview with at least two members of the judging panel.

Round One – Judged on the entry submission

Exceptional use of COLORSTEEL®
Degree of difficulty
Appropriate orientation of product

Round Two – Site Visit & Assessment

‍
An assessment of:

Workmanship and installation quality, including: Straight cuts, formation of flashings & ridges, consistency of detail, tightening of screws, fixing lines and spacings, straightness at eves, general layout, underlay, direction of lay, correct use of silicon, penetration design, weatherproof scratches and damages, orientation of product. Entrants may be required to produce evidence of additional projects to assess consistency of workmanship
Suitability of the application for the environment
Client Relationship Management and Health & Safety practices
Professional development – continuing professional learning and development, membership of industry bodies

Prizes:

‍
Category A: Tray Profiles – $10,000 Cash
Category B: Trapezoidal Profiles – $10,000 Cash
Category C: Corrugate Profiles – $10,000 Cash
Supreme Roofer of the Year – $5,000 Cash

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What is the purpose of the awards?

The COLORSTEEL® awards have been designed to celebrate excellence in long run roofing, cladding and architecture, elevating pride and professionalism in the industry.

What are the categories and who can enter?

If you are an installer working with COLORSTEEL® products you can enter the following categories:

COLORSTEEL® Roofer of the Year
COLORSTEEL® New Roofer of the Year

If you are an architect, designer or builder of a project you can enter the following categories:

COLORSTEEL® Residential Building of the Year
COLORSTEEL® Commercial Building of the Year
COLORSTEEL® Lifestyle Building of the Year

Everyone industry wide is eligible to enter the COLORSTEEL® Service to Roofing category. This Award will recognise an individual that has made a significant contribution to the industry. There are no limitations on who this award may go to, so start nominating your colleagues!

Is there a timeframe for projects to have been completed by, as part of the entry criteria?

All projects being entered must have been completed post 1 April 2025 to be eligible.

Projects can not be re-entered if previously entered in the COLORSTEEL® Awards 2025.

How do I enter?

The process to enter is easy. Fill out the entry form on our website from March 1st, remembering to include all relevant details and attaching high-quality images to showcase your project and that’s the first part done! Make sure you complete all the necessary fields, as incomplete entries will not be accepted. Entries become final on completion of scrutineering and verification by the committee team and entrants must be working and living in New Zealand to enter or be nominated. You can enter yourself, and or be nominated by an employer or colleague. For more details, please refer to the entry form and Terms & Conditions.

When do entries close?

Entries will close 30th June 2027.

What is the judging process?

Judging is a two-stage process.Stage one:

Short list projects will be selected by the judging panel based off your initial entry form submission. Entrants will be contacted within 30 days of entries closing.

Stage two: Short list entrants will be asked to provide subsequent supporting information and to organise the on-site assessment and interview which forms part of round 2 judging.

Finalists will be announced early October.

What is the judging criteria?

The Judges will be looking for exceptional use of COLORSTEEL® excellent workmanship, high-quality installation, the degree of difficulty, impeccable client service and the ability to problem solve. Each category will be judged on different criteria. Further information on the judging criteria for each category is available here.

Can I enter more than once in the same category?

Yes, you can enter as many projects as you like in the same category. Multiple entries from the same entrant, will be judged individually. Each entry will be treated as a stand-alone entry and judged as such.

Does it cost to enter?

There is no cost to enter the COLORSTEEL® Awards. You may need to consider any costs you might incur in relation to submitting your project images as part of the entry. Entry images are used for the initial round of judging to determine the finalists.

Who is on the judging panel?

A judging panel with extensive roofing & architectural experience will lead the charge for 2027. Our exclusive panel will be announced March 2027.

How do I get tickets for the awards evening?

If you’re a finalist, you can expect to be on the guest list. Otherwise please get in touch with your supplier or Key Account Manager at New Zealand Steel for further details.

What are the prizes?

COLORSTEEL® Roofer of the Year
- Category A: Tray Profile – $10,000 Cash
- Category B: Trapezoidal Profile – $10,000 Cash
- Category C: Corrugate Profile – $10,000 Cash
- Supreme Roofer of the Year – $5,000 Cash

COLORSTEEL® New Roofer of the Year – $10,000 Cash
COLORSTEEL® Residential Building of the Year – $10,000 Cash
COLORSTEEL® Commercial Building of the Year – $10,000 Cash
COLORSTEEL® Lifestyle Building of the Year – $10,000 Cash

COLORSTEEL Awards 2025

The COLORSTEEL® Awards celebrate excellence in roofing, cladding and architectural design across New Zealand. Recognising outstanding craftsmanship, innovation and collaboration, the awards showcase the people and projects shaping our industry.

2025 Winners

Roofer of the Year - Corrugate

Roofer of the Year - Trapezoidal

Roofer of the Year - Tray

Supreme Roofer of the Year

New Roofer of the Year

Service to Roofing Award

Residential Building of the Year

Commercial Building of the Year

Lifestyle Building of the Year

Past winners

Judging

Our esteemed judging panel brings strong experience in technical roofing know-how and leading architectural design. Their expertise will help us recognise and award the best design and craftsmanship from all the outstanding work being completed within our industry.

Judging criteria

FAQs