Pool of the Year Winners 2026

Pool of the YearOur Stories
Written By Kim Manunui

Winning Pool the Year is not just about how a pool looks – though of course that is a key consideration. Other factors 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.

Coastal Curves at Wiroa Station: Platinum Pool of the Year Winner 2026 & People’s Choice Pool of the Year 2026 RUNNER UP

Congratulations to Mayfair Pools Northland – Ultra Custom Pools, this year’s winner of the 2026 Platinum Pool of the Year award.

This pool has also been named People’s Choice Pool of the Year 2026 Runner Up.

A beautifully curved custom pool brings flow and contrast to this expansive courtyard.

Set within the clean lines of the home and paving, its curvilinear shape breaks up the geometry, creating a more organic and inviting entertaining.

Love this pool? Dive into the details here.

 

Bold in Black: Gold Pool of the Year Winner 2026 & People’s Choice Pool of the Year 2026 WINNER

A bold, design-led poolscape by Mayfair Pools Manawatu to match the striking character of the home balancing high-impact aesthetics with easy entertaining and everyday family use.

The final result is a striking design that balances sophistication with practicality. Taking out both the GOLD Pool of the Year and the People’s Choice Pool of the Year accolades.

Love this pool? Dive into the details here.

 

Two Pools in One: Silver Pool of the Year 2026

This innovative double-infinity design turns a sloping riverside site into a flexible poolscape that offers two pools in one. A novel and really quite sensible use of infinity pool technology.

This innovative pool build by Mayfair Pools Waikato can operate as two separate pools, creating a novel layered effect through the landscape. From pool level, the upper infinity edge draws the eye towards the lawn, river and pool house beyond.

Love this pool? Dive into the details here.

 

A Space to be Shared: Gold Commercial Pool of the Year 2026

A modern, welcoming spa pool designed for relaxation and connection. Beautiful by day and inviting by night, this is a space made to be shared.

Soft curves, fresh tones, and warm timber screening make it a calm oasis in a busy holiday park — while thoughtful accessibility features ensure enjoyment for all. By Mayfair Tauranga & Whakatane

Love this pool? Dive into the details here.

 

All Set for the Next Wave: Silver Commercial Pool of the Year 2026

The Fulton Swim School pool got a full transformation by Mayfair Pools Wellington & Kapiti.

Working closely with the team at Fulton, Mayfair resurfaced and revitalised the existing pool with a sleek new fibreglass finish that’s durable, hygienic, and easy to maintain, with the updated surface enhancing water clarity while improving safety and comfort for young swimmers. The pool’s refreshed look complements the colourful, energetic surroundings, creating a space that feels as lively as the lessons taking place in it, with its modern finish and long-lasting performance ready to inspire confidence and support future generations of swimmers for years to come. As client Daniel Fulton put it, the facility is “looking incredible and definitely ready to teach our community.”

Love this pool? Dive into the details here.

 

A Better Use of Space: Gold Renovation of the Year 2026

Reshaped and refreshed, this once-awkward pool has been transformed into a cleaner, more practical space that feels better connected to the home and courtyard.

The result is a pool area that works far better for everyday living. Congratulations to Mayfair Auckland Central!

Love this pool? Dive into the details here.

 

From Structural Failure to Family Favourite: Silver Renovation of the Year 2026

Another refurbishment project that no one else wanted to deal with. This pool was fully re-engineered with new reinforcing and concrete work.

Once again, the Mayfair Nelson team were up for the challenge – the pool had significant structural defects but the location of the pool was stunning with expansive views and deserved a major overhaul.

Love this pool? Dive into the details here.

 

A Space For Connection: Gold Pool of the Year 2026 - Under $100k

This tranquil Manawatū family retreat – built by Mayfair Pools Manawatū – proves that the best pools aren't just beautiful, they're built for connection.

The client wanted a space that would draw their two school-aged boys outside, away from screens and schedules, with the pool designed to become that anchor for family life. The result is a custom poolscape with an integrated spa and calm, open layout that gently shifts the pace of the day and brings everyone together. As the homeowners put it: "The design has created more than a pool, it has created a place. It feels like there is permission to relax when you are there, which is rare in everyday life."

Love this pool? Dive into the details here.

 

Terraced Tranquillity: Silver Pool of the Year 2026 - Under $100k

Tucked into a terraced garden by Mayfair Pools & Spas - Taupō & Rotorua, this project has a small footprint but big impact.

This elevated pool and spa transform a terraced garden into a private retreat, combining clean lines, warm decking and geothermal heating for year-round enjoyment. The homeowners wanted a space where grandchildren could swim, grandparents could unwind, and the pool connected naturally with the home's outdoor living areas. Building across multiple levels required careful engineering, with structural retaining integrated into the design to support the elevated installation, while a geothermal heat transfer system powered by an on-site bore provides efficient year-round heating for both the pool and spa. The result is a thoughtfully designed outdoor retreat that proves a smaller footprint can still make a lasting impression, with warm timber decking, clean architectural lines and custom design coming together to create a space that's as practical as it is inviting.

Love this pool? Dive into the details here.

Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
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Coastal Curves at Wiroa Station: Platinum Pool of the Year Winner 2026