Celebrating excellence: Finesse Joinery triumphs at the 2025 Master Joiners Awards

1 October 2025

When it comes to kitchens, great design is about more than looks. It’s about creating a space that works for the people who use it every day — balancing practicality, durability, and style. At Finesse Joinery, we’re proud to say that this philosophy has once again been recognised on the national stage, with multiple wins at the 2025 Master Joiners Excellence Awards.


This year, our Christchurch-based team achieved an incredible result: four national titles and a Canterbury placing, across categories that showcase the breadth of our joinery expertise.


Why the Master Joiners Awards matter

The Master Joiners Excellence Awards are New Zealand’s most prestigious recognition for joinery and cabinetry. Judged by industry experts, the awards highlight innovation, craftsmanship, and design excellence.


For homeowners, these awards are more than industry accolades. They are a signal of trust — reassurance that the people building your kitchen have been tested against the highest standards in the country.



At Finesse Joinery, we’re proud to be members of the Master Joiners Association and the National Kitchen & Bathroom Association (NKBA), and this recognition reinforces our place as one of Christchurch’s most trusted kitchen specialists.


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2025 awards summary


  • 🏆 Best Kitchen Design – by in-house designer, Olivia Joseph-Douglas - National & Canterbury


  • 🏆 Best Kitchen $30–50K – National


  • 🏆 Best Kitchen Under $30K – National & Canterbury


  • 🥉 3rd Place, Kitchens Over $50K – Canterbury


These results highlight our ability to design for every budget and style — from affordable yet clever kitchens through to bold, high-end spaces with luxury finishes.


Spotlight project: Dark Elegance by Design

Winner: Best Kitchen $30–50K (National) & Best Kitchen Design (National)

This Oakbridge home kitchen is the perfect balance of drama and sophistication. Designed with a moody, black-on-black palette, it features handleless cabinetry, a concealed scullery, and a backlit bar area that transitions seamlessly from everyday family living to evening entertaining.


Premium finishes include:

  • Archant Marble Laurent Porcelain benchtops & splashbacks


  • Bestwood Black Timberland cabinetry


  • Blum hardware for flawless usability


  • Bosch Series 8 appliances for performance and style



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This kitchen proves that when design and craftsmanship come together, joinery can become the centrepiece of the home. Click here to discover more


Spotlight project: City Chic

Winner: Best Kitchen Under $30K – National & Canterbury


Not every award-winning kitchen needs to break the bank. City Chic shows how smart design can deliver big impact on a smaller budget. Designed for maximum functionality, it features clever storage, a stylish yet timeless layout, and joinery solutions that balance form with affordability.

Key features include:


  • Optimised workflow with a functional kitchen triangle


  • Stylish finishes that elevate the space without overspending


  • Thoughtful details that maximise everyday usability


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This project highlights our commitment to designing kitchens that are accessible, practical, and beautiful, proving great design can be achieved at any price point. Click here to discover more


Spotlight project: Natural Beauty

Winner: 3rd Place Kitchens Over $50K – Canterbury


With Cielo Quartzite benchtops and American White Oak veneer cabinetry, Natural Beauty is exactly what its name suggests — a harmonious balance of natural finishes and modern joinery.


Highlights include:

  • Blum Merivobox & Legrabox runners for effortless movement


  • Integrated Fisher & Paykel fridge/freezer and dish drawers


  • Asko appliances seamlessly built in



  • Hand-selected timber veneer for warmth and texture


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This kitchen is a celebration of craftsmanship and materiality, where every surface and fitting has been carefully chosen for both style and durability. Click here to discover more


What these awards mean for Christchurch homeowners

Winning across multiple categories — from budget-conscious kitchens to luxury designs — shows that Finesse Joinery is not just a joiner, but a partner in your renovation journey.


Whether you’re planning a kitchen renovation in Christchurch, designing a custom kitchen for a new build, or looking for clever storage and joinery solutions, our award-winning team can guide you from concept through to installation.


By choosing a Master Joiner, you’re investing in:


  • Proven craftsmanship


  • Locally built joinery, crafted in our Christchurch workshop


  • Designs backed by a 7-year workmanship warranty


  • Recognition by the most trusted joinery awards in New Zealand


Start your journey with Finesse Joinery

Ready to design your dream kitchen? Our in-house designers, Olivia and Sian, work with homeowners across Christchurch and Canterbury to create spaces that are tailored to your lifestyle.


📍 Visit our Redwood showroom, view our Gallery online, or book a free consultation today.


Modern kitchen with gold faucet, stainless steel sink, and dark wood cabinets.

Award Winning Kitchen - City Chic

28 September 2025
Winner: Best Kitchen Under $30K – National & Canterbury Proof that award-winning kitchens don’t always need a premium price tag, City Chic demonstrates how clever design can create a big impact on a modest budget. Designed with maximum functionality in mind, this kitchen features smart storage, a timeless layout, and thoughtful joinery choices that balance form with affordability. Despite its lower cost bracket, City Chic delivers the same attention to detail and craftsmanship that defines every Finesse Joinery project. Key features Optimised workflow with a practical kitchen triangle for easy movement Stylish finishes that elevate the space without overspending Thoughtful details to maximise everyday usability and storage Bespoke joinery crafted to fit seamlessly into the home 
Dark modern kitchen with black cabinetry, island, stools, and light fixture.

Award Winning Kitchen - Dark Elegance by Design

28 September 2025
Winner: Best Kitchen $30–50K (National) & Best Kitchen Design (National) The Dark Elegance by Design kitchen is a showcase of dramatic style and everyday practicality. Crafted for a new Oakbridge home, this space balances moody sophistication with functional design, making the kitchen the true centrepiece of the home. With its bold, black-on-black palette, handleless cabinetry, and concealed scullery, this kitchen feels both seamless and striking. A backlit bar area adds warmth and versatility, perfect for transitioning from casual family life to stylish entertaining. Premium finishes and features Archant Marble Laurent Porcelain benchtops & splashbacks Bestwood Black Timberland cabinetry Blum hardware for durability and flawless usability Bosch Series 8 appliances for performance and elegance This project demonstrates how thoughtful design, quality materials, and expert joinery can transform a kitchen into a statement of both luxury and function.
Modern kitchen with a large island, stainless steel appliances, and overhead pendant lights.

How to design a kitchen for seniors: safety, comfort, and style

25 September 2025
For many adults, the kitchen is the heart of the home, where meals are made and social interactions take place. The best kitchen designs enable the space available to be used in the best way to support your lifestyle, but as we go through life our needs and abilities naturally change. A kitchen that once served you well, may no longer meet your needs. Mobility, vision, and strength can decline, making a thoughtfully designed kitchen as essential as looking fabulous. Designing a kitchen to cater to the needs of seniors requires more than simply aesthetic appeal, it’s about creating a space that prioritises safety, accessibility, and independence. Working with Finesse Joinery’s experienced kitchen designers in Christchurch ensures every kitchen design element from layout to custom kitchen cabinets are carefully considered with the capacity to evolve with you - planned for potential future needs to remain a comfortable, functional space for years to come. Understanding senior-friendly kitchen design The concept of ageing in place is central to senior-friendly kitchen design. This means a kitchen design that has a stylish aesthetic yet allows older adults to live independently and safely for longer. A kitchen design that: · Reduces the risk of hazards. · Minimises opportunities for strain. · Supports ease of movement. Aging in place design is not a one-size-fits-all solution. All Finesse Joinery’s kitchen designs are individual to meet the unique needs, preferences, and lifestyles of our clients, and an aging-in-place kitchen design is no different. By working closely with our award-winning professional kitchen design services in Christchurch, you can create a kitchen that seamlessly integrates with your lifestyle, budget, and long-term comfort. 
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