Prominent New Zealand architect Roger Walker has some important advice for every New Zealander thinking about building a new home.

How well do you know your neighbours?

Small home designs dominated and a record number of awards were presented at the 2017 Canterbury Westland and Nelson Marlborough Regional ADNZ | Resene Architectural Design Awards, held at the Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch on Friday night.

Set along a sweeping expanse of remote Hawke's Bay coastline, Herbertville Bach in Hawke's Bay won Wellington designer Michael Holmes, of Holmes Architecture, the Residential New Home - up to 150m2 Architectural Design Award, as well as the Resene Colour in Design Award at the 2017 mid-lower North Island Regional ADNZ | Resene Architectural Design Awards.