Our FOUNDATIONS
We’ve been building for a long time – and we still love it!
DStevens was built on family values that remain just as strong today as when our founder, Derek Stevens, started the business in 1955. These values are the foundation of everything we do, guiding our approach to every project and ensuring that we deliver not just buildings, but lasting legacies for our clients and community.
Our commitment to trust, craftsmanship, people, and the environment continues to shape our work, making sure that each project reflects the trust and dedication that have defined us for generations.
Trust
We are committed to creating spaces that resonate with people and foster a sense of belonging. Our promise is to deliver with transparency, starting by listening closely to understand your vision.
Environment
Sustainability is a core priority in everything we do. We focus on creating built solutions that benefit both you and the planet, ensuring a positive impact on the environment.
Craftsmanship
Our reputation is built on delivering exceptional construction quality and client service. We plan meticulously and pay close attention to every detail, ensuring we meet the highest standards.
People
We care for people and build strong, lasting relationships. Much of our work comes from repeat clients, reflecting the trust they place in us.
Our PRIORITIES
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We believe sustainable buildings have the potential to help cities, communities and the environment to flourish, and the individuals within them to thrive.
We’re working with our clients to identify the environmental potential and set goals to reduce the construction impact of each project; we then seek out practical means by which to deliver these goals.
Recognising the wide range of environments that the building industry impacts, DStevens remains committed to careful planning and execution of each phase of a project. We’ve implemented sustainable construction methods in commercial buildings, residential projects and civic and education facilities.
Through Trees That Count, we are helping to grow a more resilient and diverse Aotearoa by funding the planting of native trees in Tairāwhiti Gisborne. And we’re doing our best to conduct business in an ethical and responsible way.
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DStevens is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace to ensure that everyone returns home safely at the end of each day.
We make safety a priority on our premises and at all project sites. We also require active participation by everyone, including subcontractors, to adequately plan the work we are carrying out and to act safely at all times.
We believe that an empowered culture of health and safety amongst our people, subcontractors, clients and wider project team, is what drives success.
Our policy is to take all practicable steps to comply with the New Zealand Health and Safety at Work Act (2015) and relevant regulations, and all other codes of practice and guidelines applying to our business operations.
We are proud to hold SiteWise Gold accreditation by Site Safe New Zealand, certifying our health and safety capabilities, processes, and our strong commitment to creating a culture of safety in the workplace is among the very best in New Zealand.
Our Story
DStevens had its humble beginnings in the Christchurch suburb of Cashmere. Founded in 1955 by the late Derek Stevens, the company built many buildings regarded as a benchmark of quality construction. Derek worked hard to establish the company in a competitive Christchurch industry undertaking major construction projects that included high-end housing and commercial work by expanding his team to 12 skilled carpenters.
Derek and his family relocated to Gisborne in 1966 and set about establishing DStevens as a premier construction and joinery company. One of the first projects DStevens landed was the high-profile development of Kaiti Mall. In 1970, DStevens saw an opportunity to expand their services to include Rylock aluminium windows and doors. The service has since grown to become an integral part of the construction company.
From our humble beginnings, we have grown to provide our clients with a truly integrated building service, including construction, joinery, interiors, Rylock Windows and Doors, and Louvretec Opening Roofs.
Our Partners
Since 1960, DStevens has been a member of the New Zealand Registered Master Builders Association. Our Managing Director Peter Stevens is a long-standing member of the Gisborne Master Builders Executive – contributing his knowledge and expertise to improve building standards in our region.
We are proudly associated with Master Joiners – a group of ten regional associations throughout New Zealand that represent the best in craft, manufacturing and business development.
DStevens was an early adopter of the Licensed Building Practitioners scheme, launched in 2007. The scheme is designed to encourage competent building practitioners to build it right the first time – a practice we firmly believe in.
The memberships we hold with Site Safe New Zealand and ThinkSafe give our team access to the latest Health and Safety documentation and processes. Our own Health and Safety framework is independently audited and accredited by SiteWise.