14 May 2025
Behind the Scenes: The Value of a Well-Designed Scullery or Butler’s Pantry
In today’s open-plan homes, where the kitchen often doubles as a living and entertaining hub, the scullery or butler’s pantry has become an essential feature. The tucked-away prep spaces offer storage and practically without compromising the aesthetic of the main kitchen. What’s the difference? While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are differences between […]
10 April 2025
Build New Where You Love to Live: Knock Down and Rebuild with Lockwood
Finding land where you want to build can be incredibly challenging. Ocean views are scarce, and central city sections are even rarer. But if you already own or have purchased a property in a great location, a knockdown and rebuild could be the perfect solution. Whether you’re replacing your current home or redeveloping a property, […]
17 March 2025
Proposed Changes to Granny Flat Rules
The New Zealand government is considering changes to make it easier for homeowners to build granny flats—small, self-contained units on the same property as a main house. The goal is to simplify the process, reduce red tape, and provide more flexible housing options. What’s Changing? Under the proposal, certain granny flats could be built without […]
27 January 2025
Freshen your space this summer
The new year is an excellent time to refresh your space and enjoy the summer months. Here are some ideas for making the most of the season in your home. Bright and Breezy Interiors: Clear out clutter and embrace a minimalist look. Coastal Accents: Include soft blue and neutral-toned decor like throw pillows, vases, or […]
2 November 2024
Experience Local Creative Spirit at the ToiBOP Art Festival
The 2024 Toi Rotorua Arts Festival is underway, running from November 1st to 10th, sharing a wealth of creativity and talent from around the Bay of Plenty. With a packed schedule of events, exhibitions, artist talks, and open studios, the festival celebrates artistic diversity within our community. As part of this celebration, the Lockwood Rotorua […]
16 July 2024
5 Reasons to Start Designing and Building Today
In today’s subdued economy, many people have put their building plans on hold, waiting for a change. However, now might be the perfect time to start the design and planning process so you can be ready to build when the time is right. Having completed consent plans gives you a head start, allowing quotes and […]
6 November 2023
A true celebration of song
The Lockwood NZ Aria: A Night of Opera Excellence Since 1946 In the world of music, certain events stand out as legendary, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those fortunate enough to experience them. The Lockwood NZ Aria, a prestigious singing competition for opera enthusiasts, has been doing just that since 1946. This […]
4 September 2023
New Show Home Coming Soon!
Otago and Queenstown Lakes contractors, Lightning Homes, have been diligently working away on a brand new show home, due to open in Cromwell this October. The 100m² home shares the same footprint as the award-winning Tainui in the Coromandel, but that’s where the similarities end. A bold kitchen, decking with covered entry, and painted bedroom […]
4 September 2023
Congratulations Lockwood Award Winners
Congratulations to our 2023 Contractors of the Year – Tuohy Homes! Brent, Jeanette and the Tuohy homes team have had an excellent year. They have completed some stunning client builds and have also opened their beautifully appointed Karehana show home. They run a seamless operation, offering clients an exceptional experience from the design phase with in-house […]
12 July 2023
Lockwood NZ Aria star continues to shine bright
Winner of the Lockwood New Zealand Aria, Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono, has continued to achieve success by securing the prestigious Sydney Eisteddfod Opera Scholarship. Emmanuel’s victory at the Lockwood NZ Aria gave him the necessary funding to enter the Sydney Eisteddfod competition. He submitted a recorded audition and was selected as a semi-finalist. He travelled to Australia […]
16 March 2023
Tackling Climate Change
According to data from the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment, the construction sector in New Zealand contributes to around 20% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions. In 2018, the construction sector in New Zealand was responsible for emitting approximately 8.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, mainly due to the growth in the […]
16 March 2023
Design and Build Process
Designing and building a home is a complex process that requires careful planning and attention to detail. Whether you’re building your dream home from scratch or modifying an existing concept plan, there are steps you’ll need to follow to ensure that your project is successful. Working with a trusted team like Lockwood can take much […]
9 March 2023
7 things to consider when looking for land
Securing a section to build on is the first step to realising your dream home. When you first start looking for land, location is key. Once you’ve decided on the area you want to buy into and found a special plot of land, it’s essential to do your due diligence before you put in an […]
17 February 2023
Queenstown Home Show
17th, 18th & 19th of February 2023 @ The Queenstown Events Centre The Queenstown Home Show is designed for the people who live in the Queenstown, Wanaka and the Central Otago region – one of the most vibrant and fastest-growing lifestyle areas in New Zealand. You will find local business people who are keen to […]
1 February 2023
It’s show time in the South Island!
It’s show season in the South Island, and our teams from Queenstown through to Kirwee will be available to talk to you about your project at various events throughout the mainland in the upcoming months. Call in and see the team and while you’re there pick up a free copy of our Designed For Good […]
19 December 2022
Three new show homes for 2023
The Lakeview has landed in Rotorua, returning from Fieldays 2022. The 70m² design is our most popular two-bedroom plan, but this Lakeview is something special! This show home demonstrates the next generation of Lockwood high-performance building and meets the new H1 Energy Efficiency specifications that come into effect for the building industry in 2023. The […]
29 November 2022
See us at Fieldays!
We are excited to present our Lakeview show home at Fieldays this year. The 70m² Lakeview design is our most popular two-bedroom plan, but this show home is really something special! The Lakeview demonstrates the next generation of Lockwood high-performance building. This show home is designed to reflect the new H1 Energy Efficiency specifications that […]
29 November 2022
A wonderful night of song – Lockwood NZ Aria 2022
A massive congratulations to Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono – winner of the 2022 Lockwood Aria! This prestigious event has been offering New Zealand’s finest singers the opportunity to perform in a world-class singing competition for 75 years. Pictured: Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono with Lockwoods Managing Director Andrew La Grouw The 2022 Aria was the first event to use the […]
9 October 2022
Lockwood NZ Aria 2022 – Celebration of Song
We are proud to be the naming rights sponsor of the Lockwood NZ Aria. The prestigious singing competition returns to Rotorua from the 16th – 19th of November 2022. The Aria has been in existence since 1946 and is the largest competition of its kind in New Zealand, drawing performers from throughout Australasia. The event, […]
9 October 2022
Ashburton Show 2022 – See you there!
The Ashburton Show is the largest two-day annual agricultural event held in the Mid Canterbury District. Hosted at the Ashburton showgrounds, the two-day event show attracts competitors, exhibitors and visitors from all over the South Island. The Show offers competitions over the two days and over 190 exhibitors including food, music, displays and entertainment. Our […]
9 October 2022
New Show Home coming soon to Plimmerton
The roof is on the new “Karehana” Show home in Plimmerton. Wellington contractors Tuohy Homes are excited to present this modern three-bedroom design, a re-imagining of the popular Lockwood Verandah plan. It retains some features of the Verandah design, with the master bedroom separated from the two additional bedrooms by an open-plan living area. But […]
9 October 2022
Seaside Homes awarded Contractor of the Year and Master Builders Gold
Top Lockwood Contractors, Seaside Homes picking up a Regional Gold at the 2022 Master Builders Awards in September. The Lockwood home, which we have recently featured in the Lifestyles newsletter, won Gold in the the $1.5-$2m home category. Gold Awards are awarded to builders whose entries achieve 90% of the available points in the category, […]
31 July 2022
9 Top tips for low-cost updates
There are a number of ways you can refresh your home without the costs associated with major renovations. We share some ideas to update your space here: Create some open space by losing bulky furniture. Paint older furniture lighter and trick your eyes into perceiving the space to be open and airy by moving heavier […]
18 July 2022
The winners of our “Show us your houseplants” competition!
Our recent “Show Us Your Houseplants” competition was very popular! Thank you to those who submitted photos, we had so many wonderful entries – it shows how many people love to bring a bit of nature indoors. Below are our winners – it was too hard to choose one winner so we chose two! Congratulations […]
30 June 2022
Enter to win a $100 voucher from theplantproject.co.nz!
It’s no surprise that houseplants have seen a massive rise in popularity over the last few years. Plants not only can brighten up your surroundings, but they can lift your mood and clean the air. Whether you only have a few potted plants or are an indoor gardening guru with a lush home jungle, we’d […]
30 June 2022
6 Top Tips for lighting – How lighting choices can make all the difference in your new home
Whether your taste is bold and bright or muted and subtle, choosing the proper lighting is an essential step in the design process. Here are our five top tips to consider when illuminating your home. 1: Make a Plan! When designing a home, we tend to focus on choosing finishes in the kitchen, the perfect […]
31 May 2022
New show home – sneak peek!
We are very excited to be opening the Vacationer show home in Christchurch next month. The two-bedroom Vacationer design has a monopitch roofline and a modern, monochrome exterior with a VG pine feature wall. The interior of the Vacationer is light and bright with striking black and white, softened by pops of green. It’s a […]
31 May 2022
Changes to the Building Code – What does this mean for you?
In 2021 the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) proposed changes to the building code, specifically around the Acceptable Solutions for H1 Energy Efficiency, with the goal to improve the thermal performance of new homes and buildings to make them warmer, drier and healthier. The changes released in November 2021 are the most significant […]
17 February 2022
The Great Building Supply Shortage
Residential building consents were at record highs in 2021. The demand, compounded by Covid, is putting increasing pressure on the construction industry in New Zealand. Homebuilders are seeing delays in the planning and design of their new homes as engineers, surveyors and designers are hard-pressed to keep up with their increasing workloads. COVID has also […]
18 February 2021
Garden Art Festival Sale Fundraiser
The Garden Art Festival Sale fundraising event, supported by Lockwood Homes, will be held over two days at the La Grouw Garden in Rotorua at the end of February. A wide range of artworks including paintings, photography and sculptures will available for purchase, with all profits going to support Life Education Charitable Trust. Come along and enjoy the […]
15 December 2020
Bigger and better for Fieldays 2021
Construction is well underway on the Riverview show home, coming to Fieldays in 2021! The Riverview is the largest show home Lockwood has taken to the annual agricultural event and we’re excited for visitors to be able to experience this outstanding family home in June. Currently under construction in our ReadyBuilt yard in Rotorua, the […]
23 November 2020
Lockwood wins 2021 Quality Service Award
Lockwood has been voted Gold Award winner in the highly competitive category of Home Design and Build services, as judged by the New Zealand Public in the 2021 Readers Digest Quality Service Awards survey. The Quality Service Award is an independent survey Reader’s Digest commissions through leading market research company Catalyst. The survey was completed […]
20 September 2020
Lockwood House of the Year 2020 Announced!
The numbers are in for Lockwood House of the Year 2020, which was up for public vote for the first time this year. Five breath-taking homes across Aotearoa were in the running for the prestigious title situated in Coromandel, Wellington, Tauranga, Wānaka and Rotorua. ***Drum roll please*** Taking out the title this year is Tony […]
15 September 2020
Riverview Concept
The four bedroom Riverview packs a whole lot into a 142m² footprint, including generous bedrooms, two bathrooms, scullery and walk-in-wardrobe. Gable end windows draw your eye up to the raking timber ceilings and offer loads of light into the living and kitchen space. The bedrooms in the Riverview are at one end of the home, separating […]
8 July 2020
A stunning commercial concept for Long Mile Road Visitor Centre
We’re thrilled to have our concept for the new Rotorua Long Mile Road Visitor Centre shortlisted for development. Early in 2020, Rotorua Lakes Council and CNI Iwi Holdings Ltd requested Expressions of Interest (EOI) from local companies for the development of a new Visitor Centre within the Whakarewarewa and Tokorangi Forests. The brief included upgrading […]
30 November 2019
Lockwood Colours – our popular online tool has had a fabulous upgrade
Our interactive online tool just had a smart upgrade. At the flick of a swatch or a scroll of your mouse, you can have hours of fun colouring it your way. Not sure if you’d like Black joinery and would like to try it out with a range of cladding and other feature wall colours? […]
30 August 2019
Great bones and character, 60’s Lockwood with a fresh new look
This Lockwood home was built in the 1960’s in Rotorua by one of the founding partners of Lockwood, Johannes van Loghem – better known as John. It was their family home for a time and stands as a testament to the leading edge architectural design style which Lockwood would become synonymous with over the next […]
30 August 2019
Celebrating our Lockwood Award Winners
Congratulations to all our Lockwood Contractors and staff that have received awards during our annual conference which was held on the 23rd of August. The Contractor of the Year is John Hodges, of John Hodges Construction Ltd who looks after the Rotorua and Eastern Bays territory. John has had a tremendous year and looks set […]
24 July 2019
An off-grid Lockwood Villa standing proud on its hillside site in Puhoi
Two Kiwi classics meet at an iconic village home in the heart of Puhoi. The design brief to Coast to Coast homes from Derek and Amanda Lees was for a blending of the villa look with all the benefits of the low maintenance and high performance of the Lockwood building system. Water, septic and power […]
29 April 2019
Consistently voted one of New Zealand’s Most Trusted home building brands
We are very proud to have once again achieved this Trusted Brand accolade. This mark of approval, as voted for by New Zealanders, means we have been recognised for designing and building top quality homes for nearly 70 years. According to Reader’s Digest, who have been conducting the Trusted Brands research through accredited third party […]
1 February 2019
New Lockwood Commercial website
We have a long established record of designing and constructing buildings that have proven to withstand earthquakes, weather extremes as well as being beautiful timber structures. Lockwood homes and buildings are resilient and low maintenance, this robustness further enhancing their appeal for commercial application. There are several case studies featured on the site, which explore […]
1 February 2019
Late night viewing dates for our Taupo showstopper
The new Acacia show home in Taupo has been causing quite a stir with its ultra-modern interior fit-out. To cater to visitors coming through for weekend getaways, the show home will have two late night Friday special events in February, in addition to their regular 1 to 4pm weekend hours. The Acacia will be open until […]
20 December 2018
Be in to WIN a three night stay in a beautiful Lockwood in Hahei or Tekapo!
Simply visit a Lockwood Show Home before 23rd Feb 2019, talk to our team about your plans to build, and go into the draw to win one of two luxury three night stays in a Lockwood in Hahei or Tekapo, worth over $1500 each! Our show homes may have different hours over the holiday season. Click […]
1 November 2018
Bringing the Lockwood Aria Home Again
Lockwood Group is proud to announce that they are once again the naming right sponsors for the New Zealand Aria. The New Zealand Aria has, over 70 years, nurtured singing talent and provided a respected platform for entrants to showcase their operatic talents, both here and overseas. Joe La Grouw CNZM and Chairman of the […]
9 July 2018
Lakeview show home now open to view in Rotorua
Mountain view, sea view, garden view… this spacious 70m2 home exudes warmth and is a delightful surprise – no matter the view! Our Lakeview is modern and inviting, with spaces made airy and restful by incorporating high sarked ceilings with extra height joinery. This Rotorua show home enjoys a splendid view of Mount Ngongotaha. Right […]
12 June 2018
Third Generation La Grouw to take over the helm at Lockwood
It’s time for generational change which is part of a natural progression at Lockwood. “My father made way for me and now I make way for my son Andrew,” says Joe La Grouw, our current managing director who will be stepping aside. “Andrew has worked in all aspects of the business; from being involved in […]
