Te Hīnātore Wins Silver at the 2025 NZ Commercial Project Awards
We are proud to share that Te Hīnātore – the refurbished hall at Lytton High School in Gisborne – has been recognised with a Silver Award in the Education category at the 2025 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards.
This year’s awards ceremony was held on Friday 16 May at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, hosted by journalist and broadcaster Wendy Petrie.
There were a record 126 entries this year, representing the full spectrum of commercial construction – from schools and public facilities to complex industrial and commercial projects.
A record 126 projects were recognised at this year’s NZ Commercial Project Awards, held at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Key Features of The Project
Te Hīnātore (meaning “the glimmer of light”) was delivered by DStevens for Lytton High School and the Ministry of Education. It involved a full seismic and interior upgrade of the school’s original 1960s hall. The revitalised space now serves as a hub for school events, performances and the wider Gisborne community.
The team at DStevens worked closely with the school, Architects 44, and cultural designer Simon Lardelli to create a space that is grounded in local identity. Elements inspired by the school’s motto, Ubi Lux Praelucet – Te Māramatanga Tuatahi – Where the Light First Shines, were incorporated into the design, helping the building reflect the identity and values of the school and its hapū, Te Whānau a Iwi.
Works included:
New seismic bracing and structural upgrades
High-performance thermal insulation
Energy-efficient electric heating, replacing existing gas systems
Full exterior re-cladding
A complete interior refresh with integrated acoustic panels and cultural design
Reusing the existing structure, rather than building new, helped reduce waste and lower the environmental footprint. The hall now performs better thermally, is easier to heat, and will serve the school and local groups well into the future.
Recognition for a Complex Build
Peter Stevens, Managing Director of DStevens, says the recognition reflects what the team achieved under challenging conditions.
“This project came with a fair bit to navigate – working on a live school site, managing asbestos, and keeping things moving. But the result is something the school and wider community can be proud of. We’re equally proud to have represented Tairāwhiti at a national level.”
We wish to congratulate the entire project team on this outstanding result and acknowledge the incredible efforts of everyone involved in the design, construction and delivery of this project.
Te Hīnātore – Lytton High School
The extensive upgrade of Lytton High School’s 1960s hall has transformed the original building into a modern, seismically strengthened, and culturally grounded space for school and community use.
ABOUT THE NZ COMMERCIAL PROJECT AWARDS
The NZ Commercial Project Awards celebrate excellence in commercial construction across Aotearoa. Run by Registered Master Builders Association, the awards recognise collaboration, innovation, and quality delivery across a wide range of project types and scales.
Entries are assessed by a judging panel made up of a commercial contractor and an experienced member of the construction industry. Projects are awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze Awards, with National Category Winners, Special Awards and the Supreme Awards announced at a ceremony held each year.
