Trade volunteers from Aust, NZ give Nadi school a lift

More than 120 electricians, plumbers and support staff from Australia and New Zealand have returned to Fiji to carry out maintenance and infrastructure upgrades at Nadi District School.

The volunteers, from Laser & O’Brien Group, dedicated their time and skills on Wednesday as part of the company’s 2026 Taskforce giving-back project.

The work included electrical safety improvements, LED lighting upgrades, plumbing and water conservation works, general maintenance, painting, repairs and other facility improvements.

The project aims to create a safer, healthier and more inspiring learning environment for hundreds of students and teachers.

Laser & O’Brien Group Taskforce leader and Operations and Development Manager Gary Larkin said Fiji held a special place in the history of the Taskforce programme.

“Fiji will always hold a special place in the history of our Taskforce programme because this is where it all began.

“Returning to give back to another Fijian school is incredibly rewarding and reminds us why this initiative has become such an important part of our company DNA.

“Our members are passionate about using their skills to make a genuine difference in the communities we visit. The impact extends well beyond the facility improvements; we build relationships, create lasting memories and leave facilities that will benefit students and teachers for many years to come.

“Every volunteer, every supplier and every member who contributes is helping create something that will have a lasting impact long after we’ve packed up our tools. That’s what Taskforce is all about.”

Nadi District School thanked the volunteers for their support.

“The generosity shown by the Laser & O’Brien Group and their volunteers will have a lasting impact on our school community. These improvements will create a safer and more enjoyable learning environment for our students and provide facilities that future generations will continue to benefit from. We are deeply grateful for their kindness and commitment.”

Taskforce has been the flagship community programme of Laser & O’Brien Group for 17 years and has delivered more than NZ$1.5 million in donated labour, materials and financial support to schools and community organisations across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

The 2026 project is particularly significant because Fiji is where the Taskforce volunteer programme began in 2009 at Cuvu Primary School.

The group returned in 2015 to complete community projects at Votualevu Primary School and Nadi Technical College, making this year’s initiative its third Taskforce project in Fiji.

Laser Plumbing & Electrical was founded in New Zealand in 1983 and has grown into a plumbing and electrical contracting network operating across Australasia.