The 2012 winning entries in the annual Master Joiner Awards have been announced this evening at the Master Joiner Awards Dinner at Napier War Memorial Conference Centre in Napier.

The aim of the Awards is to promote excellence in joinery design and craftsmanship, to encourage the use of sustainable timbers, and to showcase the finest work from the industry. These are the largest industry awards of their kind in New Zealand.

Judging criteria includes design, workmanship, innovative use of materials,

complexity of project, and visual appeal.

Kitchen design is judged on the WOW factor, cutting edge design, practicality, and creative use of materials and colour.

The judges commented:

"There has been high interest and a record number of entries this year in the Master Joiner Awards, and we congratulate all contestants on their efforts. This competition has shown that winners can come from all sized projects, from those with an endless supply of money to those of very modest means."

"The high levels of skills, knowledge and innovation the Joinery trade offers have been well showcased, not to mention the personal satisfaction that has been gained."

Best Regional Awards:

Auckland Total Timba Joinery Ltd, Auckland

Waikato / Bay Of Plenty. Torrington Stairways, Cambridge

Hawke's Bay/Poverty Bay. Sydaz Joinery, Napier

Taranaki. KP Joinery, Waitara

Wellington Pete's Joinery, Greytown

Canterbury Hagley Kitchens, Christchurch

Waitaki JMAC Joinery, Timaru

Otago Southwards Masterwood Joinery, Cromwell

Best Use of Imported Timber Rob Pickup, Total Timba Joinery, Auckland

Best Speciality, Stairs, Bar/Counter, Fitment Brian Courtney, Torrington Stairways, Cambridge

Best Door or Window Julian Jaques, Arborline Products, Hamilton

Best Use of Innovative Hardware in a Kitchen

Stefan Sonntag, Masterwood Joinery, Cromwell

Best Kitchen under $15,000 Craig & Tina Burley, Garry Nugent Joinery, Napier

Best Kitchen Bryce Carmichael, Hostess Joinery, Hamilton

Best Kitchen Design Kirsty Moore, Hagley Kitchens, Christchurch

SUPREME AWARD Brian Courtney, Torrington Stairways, Cambridge

(Sponsored by Carters Joinery Supplies)

MASTER JOINERS APPRENTICE AWARDS

Also announced at the Awards Dinner were the winners in the Master Joiners Apprentice Awards competition. This competition is open to all joinery apprentices in New Zealand who may present a project with a minimum of 80% completed entirely by the apprentice. Prizes are awarded in the 0 - 4000 hours and 4001- 8000 apprenticeship hours categories.

Best Fitment 0 - 4,000 hours Yasuhiro Nakane, University of Canterbury, Christchurch

Best Fitment 4,001 - 8,000 hours Jonathon Browne, H R Jones & Co, Feilding

Best Timber Project 0 - 4,000 hours Nigel Blackbourn, Total Timba Joinery, Auckland

Best Timber Project 4,001 - 8,000 hours

Liam Argyle, Unique Timber Joinery, Palmerston North

Highest Judged for Workmanship and Skill

Liam Argyle, Unique Timber Joinery, Palmerston North

Gordon Caulfield Memorial Trophy

To the Employer of the apprentice with the highest scoring points in the 4,001 - 8,000 Hours category, who is a member of Master Joiners. James Griffin, Unique Timber Joinery,

Palmerston North