Winning Pool the Year is not just about aesthetics (though of course that's one of the key considerations). Other factors that are considered include innovative pool design, usability, materials, landscaping, and cohesiveness. So let's round up this year's Pool of the Year winners – and what makes them so special.

A treetop oasis, where bold engineering meets pure elegance, wins the Platinum award at this year’s Pool of the Year awards.

Limited space, a gorgeous architectural home, a spectacular view, and a wish to keep the home cohesive with the surrounding nature all combined to inspire this incredible design.

Designed to work around a council easement and an elevated site, this Murrays Bay pool features a cantilevered weir, custom privacy wall, and seamless integration with the upper deck. The result is a private, elevated retreat that makes the most of the view—without compromising on form or function.

Designed for family fitness and relaxation with impeccable style, this clever multi-zone pool includes a lap lane, recreation area, elevated spa, and bridge-access cabana—brought together with beautiful decking, neutral tiling, by twin waterfalls cascading over dramatic walls.

Mayfair gave the Sunset Resort’s two pools a much-needed refresh—fixing leaks, adding easy-access steps, and a ramp for everyone to enjoy. Now surrounded by lush gardens and tropical vibes, the pools are back to their best—perfect for a laid-back escape in paradise. Or twice the paradise, in this case.

This Waikawa renovation transformed an aging concrete pool into a clean, modern outdoor space designed for relaxed family living. Featuring a durable fibreglass lining, extended lounging step, sleek terrazzo paving, and a fresh deck to the pool house, the result is a low-maintenance, high-impact upgrade made for everyday enjoyment and effortless entertaining.

The Coppell family, upon buying their family property in Mapua, inherited an epic, incredibly large – and sadly neglected – swimming pool. They had unsuccessfully sought a company to undertake the work to refurbish the pool back to its former glory but no-one was willing to take on such a daunting project…

Built to match the elegance and sophistication of the architectural home, this streamlined pool beautifully frames the dramatic Tuki Tuki landscape. With soft natural colours, frameless glass, and clean lines, it’s a refined outdoor feature designed for year-round enjoyment and uninterrupted views.

The Coppell family, upon buying their family property in Mapua, inherited an epic, incredibly large – and sadly neglected – swimming pool. They had unsuccessfully sought a company to undertake the work to refurbish the pool back to its former glory but no-one was willing to take on such a daunting project…

With a built in bar and bar stools, a beautiful outlook, and a cabana, this pool by Mayfair Pools Auckland South – Incredible Pools is an entertaining masterpiece.