Congratulations to the 12 New Zealand finalists who have impressed the judges with their innovative use of colour. The New Zealand finalists will be in Melbourne for the prestigious gala event on May 28th at the National Gallery of Victoria. Here, the winners will be announced, including the highly coveted New Zealand Grand Prix 2025.

As one of the region’s most prestigious awards programmes, recognising the exceptional and innovative use of colour in the built environment, the Dulux Colour Awards attract an array of extraordinary projects.

Five of New Zealand and Australia’s most prolific architects and designers, who have been recognised and awarded for their own work, judged the 2025 awards entrants based on innovation, expression and execution of colour.

The judges were impressed by the deeply considered, intelligent design from this year’s finalists: exceptional colour use that exemplifies the pivotal role colour plays in spatial understanding, placemaking and mood setting.

View the finalists who best displayed an innovative use of colour across residential, commercial and public spaces.

Colour-blocking and murals impress judges

The prestigious and highly respected 39th Dulux Colour Awards has received the highest calibre of entries as one of the longest-running design awards programs in the region.

The level of sophistication and ambition was demonstrated in colour specification by design professionals broadly across all architectural typologies with palettes and applications of colour in each category consistently challenging stereotypes irrespective of scale, scope or program, such as a sporting complex with a luxe suite of colours more usually seen in high-end hospitality; a community hub finely clad in joyous hues resulting in an intelligent show of place-making; and, a depot that turns expectations on their head via nuanced colour graduations, while still respecting its industrial origins.

"Year after year, we are presented with an extraordinary array of exceptional colour use that exemplifies the pivotal role colour plays in spatial understanding, placemaking and mood setting," says Davina Harper, Dulux Colour Specialist.

Stylistically, coloured ceilings and distinctive wall treatments star in projects from Australia and New Zealand alike. “The judges remarked upon the strength of colour-blocking interior surfaces, as well as the bold use of murals in retail and studio environments.

Hues of burgundy, gold-yellows and sage greens lead the bolder palettes in private residential domains, but warm whites maintain a consistent presence, this year married with ‘greiges’, mist greens and soft blues.

"Student and professional entries in all building types are universally employing colour with extraordinary skill, impact and effect, and it is our great honour to recognise the best of the best each year.”