ENTRIES OPEN NOW!
We are delighted to say that entries to The Great Brick Competition 2026 are NOW OPEN!
EVENT DATE: Sunday 29 March 2026
ENTRIES CLOSE: Sunday 15 March 2026
VENUE: Buckland Hall, 18 Logan Road, Buckland, Pukekohe 2677.
ENQUIRIES: info@bucklandhall.nz
This year promises to be an even more exciting event as we welcome a second Master Brick Judge. Matt Brachi will continue to judge Group 1 and we welcome Rowan Dixon who will judge Group 2. Matt and Rowan will both judge Group 3. Grant Robinson our prize sponsor from G J Gardner Homes will also provide his thoughts on the overall results.
We hope you will understand but unfortunately due to rising costs of power, maintenance etc., we now need to ask for a small entry fee of $5 per person to help cover the Buckland Hall costs.
As per last year, the kitchen will be in operation offering drinks, toasties, sausage sizzle, chips, snacks etc.
How to Enter
You can find the Entry Form link below together with the Competition Categories, Guidelines, Judging, Public Display/Voting and Prize Giving information.
Please read through before completing your entry form. Numbers will be limited so we recommend you don’t delay in getting your entry in as soon as possible.
GROUP 1 (Under 7 years)
- Build time: Up to 3 hours
- Theme: Freebuild – entrants may build anything they like
- Marks will be awarded to creations that tell a story, show creativity, imagination and originality
GROUP 2 (7-9 years)
- Build time: Up to 3 hours
- Theme: A Mythical Creature – entrants must build a mythical creature of their choice (there are no size restraints)
- The mythical creature needs to be in an appropriate setting but the mythical creature must be the main element.
- The judges will be looking for storytelling as well as an interesting build.
- Marks will be awarded to creations that show functionality, personality and originality
GROUP 3 (10-13 years)
- Build time: Up to 3 hours
- Theme: Hard at Work
- At the start of the competition, entrants will draw numbers to determine their choice of minifigure to use in the competition. An image of the Mini Figures will be notified and published by 1st March at the latest.
- Theme: Entrants must design and build an action scene showcasing the Mini Figure in their working environment.
- The build must clearly show a story around the purpose and what work their particular Mini Figure is undertaking.
- Judges will be looking for a clear understanding of the build without further explanation.
- Marks will be awarded to creations that reflect an original and close association with their Mini Figure’s personality and character
Freebuild (Under 7 years) Winner
Robot (7-9 years) Winner
Home Sweet Home (10-13 years) Winner
COMPETITION GUIDELINES
- Entries close 15 March 2026
- An Entry Fee of $5 per entrant is payable (proceeds to Buckland Hall overhead costs)
- Arrival & Set up time 8.15-8.45 am (set up must be completed by 8.45 am)
- The competition will commence promptly at 9.00 am
- Tables and seating will be provided
- Bricks: All entrants to bring their OWN building bricks which can be any Lego branded bricks (such as Lego classic etc) or an equivalent non-Lego brick, or mix of both (sorry Duplo not included). There is no limit as to how many, or how few bricks are brought/used.
- All construction MUST take place at the event ie nothing is to be brought pre-constructed
- Only a pre-drawn concept may be brought to the competition (ie no brick building instructions, box images etc)
- The build time indicated is the maximum and entrants can finish earlier and then leave the front hall venue.
JUDGING
- Judging will take place throughout the build period by the two Master Brick Judges (Matt Brachi & Rowan Dixon) and the Judge from G J Gardner Homes
- All displays will be anonymous (except for age) during the public voting period
- Judging will take into account the criteria as specified in the relevant Group description eg storytelling, creativity, imagination, originality, functionality, personality and character
- Final judging will take place between 12.00 noon and 1.15 pm
- The Master Brick Judges and G J Gardner Homes will decide 85% of the marks with the public voting contributing to 15% of the marks
- The Master Brick Judges’ decisions on all matters are final
PUBLIC DISPLAY & VOTING
- 12.15 – 1.00 pm – gold coin donation entry to support Buckland Hall
- The public will be invited to use bricks (provided) to vote for their favourite build in each of the categories
- The public will also be able to view other models generously put on display for the event (please email info@bucklandhall.nz if you would like to offer a model for display)
- The public will be welcomed to stay for the prize giving (1.30-2.00 pm)
- Entrants will be able to use the rear hall during this period to also enjoy the displays plus the kitchen will be operational to purchase lunch items.
A huge thank you to our 2025 sponsor Grant Robinson owner of G J Gardner Homes Franklin. Without their generous support, this year’s The Great Brick Competition would not be possible.
Watch The Great Brick Competition 2025 including the full prize giving & judges’ comments
Watch The Great Brick Competition 2025 on Kea Kids!
Thank you to NZHerald’s Kea Kids for asking to come and film The Great Brick Competition – it was really fantastic having you with us for the day!
