Compare House Paints in New Zealand at Canstar Blue. Resene, British Paints, Dulux, Valspar, and Wattyl were compared on Overall Satisfaction, Durability, Ease of Application, Quality of Finish, Range of Finishes and Value for Money.
See our Ratings Methodology.
Resene rated number one for customer satisfaction
Inside or out, the quickest way to spruce up your home is to give it a fresh lick of paint. It’s a relatively quick, easy and inexpensive way to give any home a makeover. And one that doesn’t necessarily require the services of a professional.
Yes, there is an art to perfect cutting in, and drip-free finishes, especially on corners and edges. But, with a bit of prep work, and a steady hand, even a DIY novice can successfully get to grips with a brush or roller.
But while the tricks and tips of the painter’s trade are readily available online, in a thousand YouTube tutorials. It’s harder to ascertain exactly which paint is the best for your home.
In fact, the hardest part of DIY painting might just be deciding on which colour(s) to use. Do you go for bright pops of colour or keep it classic with neutral tones? Then you must decide which brand of paint to purchase … and that’s where Canstar Blue can help.
For although we can’t help you perceive the difference between Half Alabaster and Quarter Rice Cake, we can reveal which paint brands offer the best quality and value for money.
As part of our mission to inform consumers of the best NZ has to offer, this year Canstar Blue canvassed the opinions of 868 New Zealanders who had bought and used house paint in the past three years, across a range of categories, to measure and track their satisfaction.
To decide which house paint offers the best level of customer satisfaction, each was rated across the following categories:
Coming out on top for the second year in a row is Resene, the clear winner of Canstar Blue’s award for Most Satisfied Customers | House Paints.
Last year, Resene won our award on the back of four top 5-Star ratings. And this year it goes even better, earning a near clean sweep of top marks across all categories, except for Value for Money, for which it earns a 4-Star rating.
Also highly awarded in this year’s ratings is Valspar, which earns 5-Star ratings for Range of Finishes and Value for Money, and 4 Stars across all other categories.
Wattyl and Dulux also earn solid Overall Satisfaction scores of 4-Stars, with a mix 3- and 4-Star ratings across the board.
In the past, value for money has always been the outlier consideration for consumers in our survey. But it’s interesting to see that this year the field has narrowed and that Value for Money (20%) ranks third, behind Durability (23%) and Quality of Finish (22%).
However, this is understandable. For although price point is front and foremost when purchasing paint, over the coming months, as everyday wear and tear take their toll, a paint’s true quality comes into focus.
A paint that’s cheap but requires a refresh after only a couple of years is a false economy when compared to a paint that goes the distance.
Overall, the main drivers of satisfaction are:
Resene paints have been covering the walls of Kiwi homes since the 1950s, when company founder, Ted Nightingale, launched his first water-based paints.
Having grown into an international brand, with hundreds of stores across NZ and Australia, Resene now offers a range of products, from wallpaper to curtains. But, it’s still paint for which Resene is best known.
So, if you are planning to redecorate, why not treat your walls to a few coats of Resene, the winner of Canstar Blue’s latest award for Most Satisfied Customers | House Paints? It’s sure to brighten up your world.
Always prep before painting: 62%
Use sample pots before choosing a colour: 46%
Paint home’s exterior at least once every decade: 27%
Buy new brushes instead of cleaning old ones: 25%
Always buy too much paint for the job: 24%
Not sure how to dispose of old paint properly: 21%
Painted home because had more time during pandemic: 17%
Purchase eco-friendly paint: 12%
Inspired by things seen on TV reality shows: 15%
Cut corners to get job done quicker: 9%
Always buy too little paint for the job: 8%
Interior design influenced by reality TV: 6%
Painting leads to household arguments: 6%
| Reasons for DIY | % |
| Cheaper than hiring a pro | 73% |
| I enjoy it | 46% |
| I’m the best in my household at painting | 22% |
Should you prep before painting? Yes, prepping your surfaces before painting is essential. Not only will it deliver a better finish, but it will ensure your new paint job lasts longer, saving you precious time and money in the long run.
Making repairs before painting
Repairing any damage to your house before giving it a fresh lick of paint is definitely the easier and cheaper option. Papering (or painting) over cracks, doesn’t make problems go away – if anything, it only causes more problems down the line, and then, invariably, more redecorating. So, fix any problems before you open your tin of paint.
Wall preparation before painting
Paint looks better on clean, smooth walls. Fill any holes or dings with filler, then sand. Depending on the state of the surface, it may need to be totally replastered. Unless you’re an expert, don’t attempt this yourself. Hire a professional, and save yourself the embarrassment of lumpy, bumpy uneven walls.
Priming before painting
Priming is the first, or base, coat that prevents your final top coat soaking into the wall and looking blotchy. Primers also minimise the amount of future flaking and wear. After priming, fewer coats are required to achieve a smooth finish. And, when changing a dark colour to a lighter choice, primer facilitates ease of application and may save you from applying a second or third lick of paint. Some products are a paint and primer in one, which can save you further time and money.
Filling gaps
Fill, or caulk, any gaps or seams between your walls and skirting boards, window and door frames and architraves. It’s usually better to caulk after priming, as the white primer base will highlight the seams and therefore give you a better guide to filling all of them. Once your filler is dry, you can apply the top coat for a professional, gapless, finish.
Test pots
If your original surface is in good condition, and your new colour scheme is similar to your old paint job, you may be able to get away with only one new coat of paint. Whereas, some colours may require four to five coats, which can prove expensive. Dark paints also tend to need repainting more frequently. Use a test pot to gauge how many coats you’ll need to apply and to get an idea of how the final paint job will look. After putting in the time, effort and expense to redecorate, you want to ensure you love your room’s makeover!
Canstar Blue surveyed 2576 New Zealand consumers across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from respondents who had bought and used house paint in the past three years. In this case, 868 New Zealanders.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.
2021
2020
2019
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