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Building Better Learning Environments

Our Education Sector Capability

Creating safe, flexible spaces for learning

We work across primary, secondary, and tertiary education, delivering classrooms, specialist teaching spaces, and major school redevelopments.  Our goal is simple: build environments where teachers can teach, students can learn, and schools can keep running safely during construction.

We understand the pressures of live school sites — safety, noise, access, and tight programme windows — and we plan our work around school rhythms and community needs.

What we bring to Education

  • Experience on live school sites
    We manage construction around teaching hours, school events, and daily student movement. Safety and access planning come first.

  • Practical, fit-for-purpose delivery
    We build with durability, flexibility, and long-term value in mind — essential for classrooms, specialist spaces, and communal areas used all day, every day.

  • Collaboration with school leaders and the Ministry
    Schools and tertiary institutions have clear priorities. We work closely with principals, property teams, and the Ministry to plan work that supports learning, not disrupts it.

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Shared Foundations

We support education beyond the site, backing Keystone Trust, cadetships, and hands-on engagement with schools to help students see how learning connects to real-world careers. This work forms part of our Shared Foundations approach to community contribution.

Charitable Education Trust Greg Murphy Luncheon 2026

Charitable Education Trust Greg Murphy Luncheon 2026

The NZ Institute of Building Charitable Education Trust warmly invites you to a special fundraising luncheon on Thursday 16 April 2026, in Christchurch.

Amotai

Amotai

Inclusive supply chains create stronger industries. Amotai connects Māori and Pasifika businesses with opportunity, supporting diversity, capability, and long-term community impact.

Summer Intern Programme

Summer Intern Programme

Leighs supports future construction leaders through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world project experience, helping students turn study into career-ready skills.

NZ SAS Trust

NZ SAS Trust

Our support for the Papakura Military Camp childcare centre helped deliver a safe, high-quality early learning space for service personnel and their whānau.

The Keystone Trust

The Keystone Trust

A strong future for construction depends on access and opportunity. Keystone Trust supports young people into property and construction careers through scholarships and mentoring.

Understanding the learning environment

Education projects come with unique challenges. Students need safe, uninterrupted access to classrooms, and staff need predictable work areas.
 

We plan our work around:

  • Busy sites with constant foot traffic

  • Noise and vibration management during teaching hours

  • Term-based milestones and tight programme windows

  • Shared spaces such as halls, gyms, and libraries that must remain functional

  • Work near young people, requiring strict safety and supervision practices

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B19 School Cluster

Three Buildings, three schools, three communities. While the architectural design of the buildings remains nearly identical, civil works and landscaping were tailored to each location.

Education

Waimarie (Science North), Lincoln

At 9,450m² this new design and build project provides teaching and research laboratories, workspaces, meeting places and flat-floor teaching areas as well as a social and collaborative space with associated amenities.

Education

Nukumea Primary School

18 teaching spaces over 2 levels, an outdoor learning area, administration facilities, a multipurpose hall, and a library. Landscaping, including car parking and sports fields, round out the project that forms the heart of the community.

Education

Hillmorton High School Gymnasium

Delivered a new high-performance gymnasium for one of Canterbury’s fastest-growing schools, easing pressure on limited facilities and creating a modern sports and teaching hub for students and the wider community.

Specialist

George Forbes Building - Stage 3

A technically demanding refurbishment that blends old and new, delivering a modern campus entry while carefully integrating heritage elements within a live university environment.

Education

Whangārei Boys’ High School

A landmark building in Northland, not only for the state-of-the art schooling of up to 1500 young men but as a community hub with a 1200 seat auditorium, outdoor areas and sports facilities.

Education

Featured Education Facilities
Related Expertise

Healthcare Sector

Leighs delivers complex healthcare projects, from new clinical spaces to major redevelopments, with a focus on safety, reliable services, and keeping hospitals running.

Our Capabilities

Discover the full range of Leighs’ capabilities — from health and education to commercial, civic, and specialised projects.

Our People

Our team combines technical expertise, practical experience, and local knowledge to deliver projects safely, efficiently, and to the highest standard.

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