Lee Builders is reinforcing its reputation as a trusted delivery partner for complex public-sector projects, with major education upgrades across the Manawatu highlighting the strength of its in-house capability.
The Palmerston North company operates in environments where stringent health, safety and security requirements limit who can step on-site. Managing director Jared Kenyon says that position has been built through long-term investment in people, training and robust systems.
Founded by Rowan Lee in the late 1980s, Lee Builders grew through maintenance work for organisations such as Fonterra and Massey University. Jared, a floor layer by trade, joined the company in the late 2000s and, over time, moved into management, gained equity and ultimately took ownership.
Jared is extremely proud of his team, who are the backbone of Lee Builders. He says clients choose the company as a partner because of everything the team does on-site. Lee Builders employs about 90 staff, including builders, painters, plasterers, plumbers, electricians and an in-house joinery team, supported by project managers, quantity surveyors, operations staff and health, safety and compliance specialists.
“There are not many contractors set up for the compliance some clients require, so it has become a niche for us,” Jared says. “If you put your people through the right training, you get to send them home safe at night, and the work keeps coming.”
Lee Builders works at hospitals, schools, prisons, Defence Force sites, rest homes, supermarkets, sports facilities and council properties. One day might involve an urgent repair, the next a capital works project.
“We want to help, whether it’s looking after our clients, supporting our staff or helping people in our community succeed.”
Recent education work demonstrates the range. At Palmerston North Girls’ High School, Lee Builders completed extensive reroofing and upgrades while the campus remained operational. A large cover system was erected across the roof, allowing teaching to continue and protecting the programme from weather disruption.
The school community welcomed Lee Builders’ decision to appoint a female foreperson on-site, Sarah, who provided a positive role model for students. Her presence and professionalism strengthened communication between the contractor and the school, and underscored the importance of women in construction. Lee Builders further strengthened its connection with the school community by hosting three Gateway students from the school, giving them hands-on experience while contributing to improvements at their own campus.
At Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School, Lee Builders removed the auditorium roof, reframed it and constructed steel platforms at height so air-conditioning services no longer penetrated the roof, improving long-term performance. Foreman Richie helped manage risk by inviting teachers and students onto the roof to understand the hazards, reducing the likelihood of children entering the site after hours.
Near Feilding, the company is nearing completion of a redevelopment at Hato Paora College. Ageing dormitories were demolished and replaced with modern, purpose-built facilities that align with the values of the boarding school and provide a more comfortable living environment.
Alongside project delivery, Jared says developing people remains critical. The company currently supports 10 apprentices, who spend time in the office each month building administrative and technology skills in addition to trade training. “We worked out we could not hire fast enough, so we are building our own people,” he says.
Jared says that investment, combined with sponsorships and donations to community groups, is central to the company’s identity. “It’s kind of our ‘why’,” he says. “We want to help, whether it’s looking after our clients, supporting our staff or helping people in our community succeed.” That approach continues to underpin Lee Builders’ growing contribution to the region.
© Waterford Press Ltd 2026 – Independent Print Media New Zealand
