A Strong Start for Our Summer Interns

Our Summer Intern Programme is well underway, and after their first few weeks on site and in the office, it’s clear the experience is already making an impact.

This summer, interns joined teams across several Christchurch projects, including UoOCCR, Canterbury Museum, 211 High Street, and Burnham Military Camp, gaining early exposure to the scale, pace, and teamwork behind complex construction projects.

From the outset, many spoke about how quickly they felt part of the Leighs whānau. “Everyone has been welcoming and inclusive, which, coming into a new environment, puts you at ease,” says Quantity Surveying intern Jacob Koster. That early sense of belonging has helped interns settle in quickly and focus on learning.

Learning through real projects

For several interns, seeing construction at full scale has been a defining moment. Engineering intern Will Reynolds recalls his first visit to the Museum site: “The scale of temporary works really stood out to me. Seeing the steel props and piles used to support the RMG building was fascinating, and it was my first look at this level of complexity in temporary works.”

Others have been struck by the variety of projects and methods in play. Design Management intern Emily O’Connor says a visit to 211 High Street opened her eyes to innovation in practice. “It showed the technology Leighs is introducing into the New Zealand construction industry, particularly with mass timber and seismic engineering. The building reflects Leighs as a company, always pushing for creative solutions.”

For Construction Management intern Tayla Eagle, being involved in a busy live project has been key. “Working on the Burnham Military Camp project, there is always a lot happening. Visiting different sites has helped me build a broader understanding of how construction projects are managed at different stages.”

(L) Emily Cleary and Ryan Shearer @ The University of Otago School of Medicine building

Learning fast and asking questions

Across disciplines, interns are already getting hands-on experience. From learning new software and systems to walking sites and sitting in on meetings, they’re being exposed to the realities of the industry early.

Ryan Shearer, a Design Management intern on UoOCCR, says the professionalism of the team has stood out. “The calibre of professionalism really impressed me. I’ve also enjoyed learning software I’ll use throughout my career and understanding how different roles come together on a large project.”

For Quantity Surveying intern Emily Cleary, the learning has been supported by a strong culture of sharing knowledge. “What stands out most is the people. Everyone is so friendly and invested in making sure I understand what I’m doing.”

Broad exposure beyond site and office

Not all learning has happened on site. For HR Intern Lucy Mathers, the opportunity to see how different parts of the business work together has been just as valuable. Spending time alongside the People and Culture team has given her insight into the professional side of construction and how teams collaborate behind the scenes to support projects and people.

“My first impressions were extremely positive. The standards Leighs holds and the support they provide really stood out. Being involved in different tasks and sitting in on daily meetings has helped me better understand the professional world, and the encouragement from Jess and Tarah has made me feel like a genuine part of the team,” says Lucy.

Support that makes the difference

A consistent theme across all six interns has been the support they’ve received from mentors and project teams. From patient guidance through day-to-day tasks to site tours and informal check-ins, that support has helped build confidence and capability early on.

That approach reflects Leighs’ broader commitment to learning and development. Investing time in mentoring, sharing experience, and helping people grow is part of how we build strong teams and better outcomes, both now and into the future.

Looking ahead

After a strong start for our Summer Interns, they settled into their roles quickly, and are beginning to look ahead to upcoming milestones, including major construction milestones and their end-of-programme presentations in February.

As Ryan puts it, “It’s been a great introduction to the industry and to how Leighs works as a team.” Early signs suggest this cohort is off to a strong start, supported by experienced people who are proud to pass on their knowledge.

Learn more about the Summer Intern Programme at leighs.co.nz/SIP.