92 | MASTER BUILDERS - HOUSE OF THE YEAR White Wood Homes T T Kelly Deeks Seamless process delivers standout home White Wood Homes is celebrating a standout result at the 2026 Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards, where its Manuka Retreat in Raglan took home seven regional awards. “Winning the Craftsmanship Award was probably the one that meant the most to me.” White Wood Homes is celebrating a standout result at the 2026 Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards, where its Manuka Retreat in Raglan took home seven regional awards, a result that has the team buzzing. The Waikato building company was named Regional Supreme Winner, Regional Category Winner, and Gold Award recipient in the New Home $1.5 million to $2 million category, alongside awards for craftsmanship, interior design, kitchen excellence, and smart home technology. White Wood Homes co-owner and builder, Malachi Farrant, was particularly proud of the Craftsmanship Award, which he sees as recognition of the care invested by the team. “Winning the Craftsmanship Award was probably the one that meant the most to me,” he says. “There are so many details in this home that took a lot of thought and care to execute, and that award really recognises the work of our whole team and the standard we’re always pushing for.” For co-owner and interior designer, Hannah Farrant, the result reflects a project where the design and build sides of the business worked closely together from the outset. Hannah is involved in every build, working alongside the architect, clients, and Malachi from the early floor plan and functionality stages. “That’s the beauty of doing it in-house, so we are totally seamless,” she says. “Everything works so smoothly.” The two-bedroom, two-bathroom home was designed for a couple moving into a new stage of life, who wanted to entertain family without being left with a large house full of unused rooms. Its layout puts the master bedroom directly off the kitchen, with a large sliding door connecting it to the main living area. The arrangement gives the owners a hotel-like experience when they are home alone, while placing the main living spaces and bedroom along the front of the house to maximise the outlook across Raglan Harbour. A mezzanine adds flexibility without compromising that sense of intimacy. It includes an office with built-in bunks, while a separate guest suite has its own entrance, allowing visitors to stay without taking over the main home.The 231sqm retreat combines James Hardie cladding, timber, brick, natural stone, Venetian plaster, and expansive low-E glazing. Soaring ceilings and carefully positioned openings bring light into the interior, while decking and outdoor living spaces extend towards the view. The kitchen is a focal point, with striking Tempest Blue quartzite, dark-stained oak cabinetry, brass detailing, and feature lighting. Hannah and her clients worked closely with kitchen designer Annika Rowson to ensure the space fitted seamlessly into the wider design. The awards were announced while the Farrants were away in Samoa, but the full team attended the ceremony. An apprentice was asked to accept an award if the company won, only to find himself walking to the stage seven times and delivering six speeches. “He spoke so well,” Hannah says. “We were so lucky to have him do that for us.” Today, Malachi and Hannah work across the design and build sides of White Wood Homes, bringing their expertise together while continuing to build a team-based business. With four new builds in the pipeline, a project starting in Morrinsville, work with Habitat for Humanity, and plans for its own higher-end design-andbuild spec homes in Cambridge, the company is already looking ahead. Malachi and Hannah Farrant - delivering expertise and style. The 231sqm retreat combines James Hardie cladding, timber, brick, natural stone, Venetian plaster, and expansive low-E glazing.
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