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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  • Award certificate:

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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



  • Modern kitchen with black cabinets, island, and stools, illuminated by a curved light fixture.

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  • Close-up of a dark kitchen island with a black countertop with gold veining and a metallic edge.

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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


  • Modern kitchen with dark cabinets, stainless steel backsplash, gold faucet, and flowers.

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  • Modern kitchen with gold faucet, metallic backsplash, and dark wood cabinets. Window provides natural light.

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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


  • Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, island with stools, and large windows.

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  • Kitchen with light wood cabinets, open drawers, and a polished concrete floor.

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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 light wood cabinetry, stone countertops, and three stools.

Kitchens that work beautifully: the principles of award-winning kitchen design

3 November 2025
Here at Finesse Joinery in Christchurch, we’re in a celebratory mood. Our talented kitchen designers and Master Joiners have been recognised at a national level, winning prestigious Master Joiners awards for excellence in kitchen design, workmanship and expertise. These achievements are testament to the skills and passion of our team, who share a commitment to creating truly beautiful kitchens. However, true excellence goes far beyond appearance. A kitchen that works beautifully transcends fine materials and contemporary kitchen styles, it’s a space that feels effortless to use. At its heart, award winning kitchen design and joinery is about achieving harmony: where function, flow and form come together to create a room that makes your daily life easier; how you live, cook and entertain. As officially one of the best kitchen joinery specialists and kitchen designers in New Zealand, our philosophy centres on creating kitchens that are both practical and inspiring, while always remaining in budget. Below we explore the key design principles behind our beautiful kitchen designs , from workflow and storage to aesthetics and craftmanship. Whether you are looking for inspiration for a dream kitchen space or at the start of your kitchen renovation journey, these principles can help guide you. Function and flow: the foundation of every great kitchen design Finesse Joinery kitchen designers develop a deep understanding of how you will use your kitchen. The kitchen work triangle, between the oven, sink and fridge, remains a time-tested foundation. Keeping these key areas within a comfortable reach, unnecessary movement is kept to a minimum and a smooth workflow created. Our kitchen designers look beyond the work triangle to design work zones: defined areas for food prep, cooking, cleaning and storage. For example, scullery cabinets or a pantry cabinet would form part of the storage zone, while the kitchen island serves as a prep station, but also the social hub. Every home, family and lifestyle is individual, and the kitchen designs are tailored to meet your unique needs . 
Modern kitchen with island, bar stools, light wood cabinetry, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances.

Natural Luxe – Fendalton

9 October 2025
Discover the Natural Luxe Fendalton project by Finesse Joinery NZ, showcasing timeless design, premium craftsmanship, and elegant custom interiors.
Modern kitchen with gold faucet, stainless steel sink, and dark wood cabinets.

Award Winning Kitchen - City Chic

28 September 2025
Explore Finesse Joinery’s award-winning ‘City Chic’ kitchen design, blending modern style, functionality, and craftsmanship for contemporary living.
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