Eliot Sinclair

A core part of our skill set, we’ve been helping shape the structural landscape for over 30 years. We relish the challenge of bringing a vision to life while ensuring its integrity and strength will withstand the demands placed upon it.

Our experienced team of structural engineers, architectural designers, draftspeople and technicians provide design and assessment services for a broad range and scale of projects; from large scale commercial buildings to home renovations.

We’re with you throughout the whole project, working closely together from developing the outline brief and concept design, right through to detailed construction documentation, consenting, procurement, contract management, and construction monitoring.

Our service can be tailored from a structural only service to the convenience of a fully integrated design offering. By tapping into the collective skills of our multidisciplinary Eliot Sinclair team, we’re able to ensure an efficient and well-coordinated design process right from the outset.

Our structural engineering services are available for projects throughout the South Island, with the capacity to offer them directly from our Queenstown, Hokitika and Christchurch offices. We also frequently have staff in Nelson.

Our structural engineering services

• Industrial buildings including warehouses and associated offices
• Single and multi-level commercial structures including retail and office buildings, aged care facilities, health facilities and public buildings
• Residential engineering for dwellings ranging from standard house construction through to bespoke architectural designs and hill site homes
• Foundation designs for TC1, TC2 and TC3 sites
• Civil engineering structures including retaining walls, bridges, culverts, wash down pads, vehicle crossings
• Seismic assessment and improvement of existing structures including initial and detailed seismic assessments, and seismic strengthening design and documentation
• Structural design for interior fit-outs for retail, hospitality and other commercial buildings
• General engineering assessments and associated technical reporting
• Tender and contract document preparation and administration
• Building consent applications and processing
• Construction monitoring services

GIS can be simply defined as digital mapping or the communication and analysis of location information. We work to align your key business and asset data with spatial tools and applications for secure data sharing, visualisation and design workflows.

We design workflows for transforming source information from a wide array of input formats and storage platforms, to be presented as spatial data products on web-based platforms. These easy-to-use platforms have tailored configurations for searching, highlighting, analysing and reporting that also allow automated no-cost software upgrades. Plus, it can all be transferred to your own systems.

We also overlay client and project information with open data published by the likes of Councils and environmental organisations, so that project members can access it all through one collaborative spatial data platform.

Combined with our in-house surveying team, we provide an end-to-end as-built data collection, validation and delivery process with resulting detailed and accurate data ready to be assimilated smoothly by owner asset databases. In fact, this unique skillset adds value across the board by providing all our in-house teams with time and cost-saving automation and efficiencies in their data workflows.

Our geographic information systems services

• Design and delivery of processes for client data collation, collection and integration with existing systems
• Design and delivery of web-based map products and applications for the spatial presentation of key project data

Our Experts
Emma Winthrop
GIS Specialist

Michal Tutko
Surveyor & GIS Technician

Fiona Nicholls
GIS Technician

Sometimes it’s what you know and sometimes it’s who. With us, you get the benefit of both. With established relationships with councils throughout the South Island and in-depth knowledge of their internal processes, our planning team offer creative and innovative solutions grounded in legislation and requirements.

Our planning team provides you with essential information regarding your site and development constraints. Our inside knowledge of council operations means you have the best consent information submitted on your behalf, streamlining the process and reducing costs.

The specialist planning expertise within Eliot Sinclair covers the entire planning spectrum - from private plan changes and large land development projects, to providing resource management planning advice for site-specific issues in residential, commercial, industrial and rural areas. We also provide advice on specific planning matters including social and community housing, multi-unit developments, retirement villages, health centres and childcare centres.

Our experienced planners are extremely versatile and work closely within our wider multidisciplinary team to advise on large-scale land development projects including earthworks, engineering and environmental matters.

With offices in Christchurch, Queenstown and Hokitika, and staff frequently in Nelson, our planning services are available for projects throughout the South Island.

Our planning services

• Residential, rural, commercial and industrial development
• Private plan change request applications
• Due diligence property development feasibility and scoping assessments
• Expert planning evidence
• Subdivision and land use resource consent applications to District Councils
• Resource consent applications including discharges to land, air and water and water permits to Regional Councils
• Submissions to notified resource consent applications, District and Regional Plans / Strategies and Annual Plans
• Consultation with Iwi bodies including Mahaanui Kurataiao Ltd
• Consultation with affected parties and stakeholders
• Assessments of environmental effects
• Provision of planning consultancy services to Councils

Our Experts
Claire McKeever
Associate | Resource Management Planner

Laura Dance
Resource Management Planner

How are we able to create designs that ensure environmental and social sustainability is balanced with financial goals? Because we’ve had plenty of experience. We know what it takes to work with complex site constraints, whether it’s a new community, or a commercial, industrial or mixed-use development.

We provide urban design solutions for sites of all sizes, from large-scale land developments to inner-city infill projects. The good urban design creates spaces that foster healthy, safe and sustainable lives for the end-users. We create neighbourhoods that attract new residents and command higher lot values overall; while providing diverse housing options, attractive outdoor spaces, and accessible, safer transport choices.

In our experience, the best outcomes come from holistic design. So we put your project needs at the centre of the decision-making process and design with all the moving parts in mind by collaborating across the multidisciplinary Eliot Sinclair skillset. This means we’re better able to resolve any challenges at the concept stage to provide the right solution first time, reducing the overall need for costly redesign.

Our urban design services

• Lot layout for new developments, for both high - and low-density housing
• Transportation and recreational network design (including roads, public transit routes, cycleways, pedestrian footpaths and the like)
• Urban design and master planning of new mixed-use developments
• Urban design assessments for consent applications
• Digital visualisations/ artist impressions.

Our Experts
Jade McFarlane
Associate | Landscape Architect & Urban Designer

Bruce Sinclair
Principal | Surveyor

Kess Aleksandrova
Landscape Architect

Surveying is our roots at Eliot Sinclair. We have an 80-year long history of innovative practices that have made us known as leaders and experts. Our surveying team has one of the broadest ranges of capability in New Zealand and are widely recognised by Councils, peers and other professionals as delivering the highest quality surveys.

Surveying from the land, air or water - we cover it all with state-of-the-art technology and highly skilled surveyors to ensure every project has fit-for-purpose information that can be relied upon. We deliver new titles for sale; create accurate and reliable maps and measurement data; and deliver high-quality plans, digital data and documentation for your development project.

Our goal is to enable you to make informed decisions throughout a seamless experience. So every project begins by listening to gain a thorough understanding of your needs. Then we investigate, in-depth, the survey/project requirements to give you comprehensive advice on the process and likely costs.

Our surveying team have a range of personnel, from highly experienced registered professional and licensed cadastral surveyors through to graduate or technician surveyors and coordinators to deliver on each phase of the project. Our robust QA systems and training ensure every survey is delivered to the highest standard. We have a full range of technology for the most effective survey techniques for each project. We also fulfil a number of niche services.

Laser Scanning
Our team has been using laser scanners since 2011 to capture accurate 3D (point cloud) data of heritage buildings such as the Christchurch Arts Centre and the Christchurch Cathedral or to help with structural assessments after the Christchurch earthquakes. Working closely with our clients we make sure they receive the right 3D information they need. Our outputs which range from common point cloud formats to interactive online viewers can accommodate the most complex of sites.

Innovative Techniques
Always at the front of the pack when it comes to innovation, Eliot Sinclair was involved in the testing phase for Trimble SiteVision. This mobile application allows us and the client to visualise the 3D design using Augmented Reality (AR). This AR technology is useful for visualising above and below ground site infrastructure, as well as our designed street scene and architectural components.

Our land surveying services

• Urban and rural subdivisions
• Boundary marking (e.g. for fencing purposes or post-earthquake)
• Legalisation surveys (e.g. public works and road stopping)
• Easements and covenant areas
• Accretion claims
• Unit titles
• Cross leases
• Uplifting of Limitations on Titles
• Laser scanning surveys
• Building set out surveys
• Building location certificates
• Building lease areas (BOMA)
• Topographical/mapping surveys
• UAV (Drone) aerial mapping surveys
• Hydrographic (rivers, lakes and sea) surveys
• Monitoring and deformation surveys

Our Experts
Warren Haynes
Director | Surveyor

Darren Hocken
Principal | Surveyor

Keith Mills
Associate | Surveyor

See more, see it all, see beneath. To know what’s happening underwater we provide hydrographic surveying capabilities for small and large construction projects, ports and harbours, rivers, lakes and other water bodies within New Zealand.

When it comes to dredging, monitoring or marine construction, good data equals good decisions. Our skilled surveyors use our fleet of digital hydrographic surveying equipment and can mobilise onto most vessels or use our 3m RIB to accurately measure, map and chart underwater land surfaces.

With a reliable baseline dataset of the submerged surface from the outset, you can be confident in decisions made moving forward throughout the project.

As our systems are portable, our team can be readily deployed to most vessels.

Our hydrographic surveying services

• Cross-sections or profiles
• Contour surfaces
• Treatment pond surveys
• Settlement monitoring
• Pre, intermediate and post dredging surveys
• Volume and storage calculations
• Marine setout, as-built and construction assistance
• Shore-based UAV and topographic data acquisition to integrate with waterbed data to generate seamless land to waterbed dataset
• Geodetic control surveys

Our Experts
Darren Hocken
Principal | Surveyor

Liam Jagvik
Surveyor

Rory Turner
Survey Technician

Our multidisciplinary capabilities and holistic approach make us experts at delivering solutions that are practical, innovative, and effective in balancing sustainability with financial goals.

Any work we do ultimately impacts people, so we take this responsibility seriously. At Eliot Sinclair, sustainability is a core ethos with three focuses - environmental and ecological; economic; and the enhancement of social and cultural values.

Our environmental science team are experts at helping reduce environmental risk on your subdivision or site remediation project and provide methods to enhance and restore environments. We specialise in assessing the potential for soil contamination on residential, industrial and land development projects; following established, proven systems and using a variety of leading-edge technologies. Where it is identified, we work closely with you to find solutions that minimise future risk in a cost-effective manner, in accordance with legislative requirements.

We also have crossed over in collaborating with our landscape architects to restore waterways and advise on how to improve its ecological health through careful, sensitive design. We have many years’ experience providing these services for various corporate organisations, land developers, insurers, private owners and Councils that has enabled our staff to become environmental solution experts.

To further enhance the success of each project, we are also able to call on the multi-disciplined skillsets of our many other in-house experts in planning, surveying, engineering, and landscape architecture.

With offices in Christchurch, Queenstown and Hokitika, and staff frequently in Nelson, our environmental services are available for projects throughout the South Island.

Our environmental engineering services

• Pre-purchase assessment reports
• Preliminary Site Investigation Reports (PSI)
• Detailed Site Investigation (DSI)
• Remediation Action Plans (RAP)
• Advice on remediation/disposal of contaminated materials
• Ecological reporting
• Mitigation and restoration plans (including collaborating with our Landscape Architects to produce site-specific planting plans)

Our Experts
Kristel Franklin
Engineering Geologist

Nick Harwood
Principal | Geotechnical Engineer

Decisions are only as robust as the advice and land they’re built on. So, we look at your project’s success from the ground up. Our geotechnical team specialise in providing practical advice and engineering solutions that form the foundations for successful residential, industrial and land development projects.

We work closely with you to determine what level of investigation, analysis, design and reporting is required for a successful outcome. We help you understand how geotechnical conditions influence your development; and by leveraging our many other in-house experts in the site and land development, we advise on the most practical, innovative, and effective solutions to reduce or eliminate risk.

Our expert team of geotechnical engineers and technicians have considerable experience working on a diverse range of projects across the South Island and enjoy the challenge of New Zealand’s variable geological environment.

With offices in Christchurch, Queenstown and Hokitika, and staff frequently in Nelson, our geotechnical services are available for projects throughout the South Island.

Our geotechnical engineering services

• Pre-purchase geotechnical investigation and reporting
• Geological accretion investigation and assessment
• Liquefaction investigation and mitigation
• Slope stability investigation and mitigation
• Cliff collapse and rockfall investigation and mitigation
• Retaining walls
• Temporary excavations
• Shallow and deep piled foundations for residential, industrial and commercial buildings
• Pavement design
• Groundwater monitoring
• Infiltration testing for proposed stormwater disposal systems
• Erosion, sediment and dust control
• Construction monitoring of bulk earthworks in accordance with NZS4431:1989
• Forensic investigation and reporting (ie. land or foundation damage, settlement, etc.)
• Geotechnical reporting for Private Plan Changes
• Geotechnical reporting for proposed land development projects (Private Plan Change or Application for Subdivision Consent)
• Peer review
• Expert evidence

Our Experts
John Aramowicz
Director | Geotechnical & Civil Engineer

Nick Harwood
Principal | Geotechnical Engineer

Kristel Franklin
Engineering Geologist

Water is essential for life. So getting right the design of where our water comes from and goes to is a fundamental part of development. We have extensive experience in all facets of stormwater, water supply and wastewater concept and detailed design, reporting and construction monitoring.

We deliver design for all aspects of three waters services; including flood modelling, construction monitoring, and erosion, sediment and dust management control for residential, commercial and industrial developments. We work together with clients and regulatory bodies to achieve smarter outcomes during both the design and construction phases.

As well as providing expert advice and solutions, we also strive for sustainable initiatives by evaluating environmental protection, economic viability and the efficient use of resources. This takes a collaborative approach within our multidisciplinary team to pull together best practice and the right expertise to develop integrated, effective and practical designs. It’s an approach that has resulted in a proven track record of innovative, cost-effective and sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Our three water services extend to projects throughout the South Island, with the capacity to offer design and construction monitoring services directly from our Queenstown, Hokitika and Christchurch offices. We also frequently have staff in Nelson.

Our three waters services:

• Feasibility studies
• Hydraulic modelling
• Conceptual and detailed design solutions
• Flood impact assessments
• Erosion, sediment and dust management
• Design reporting
• Contract administration
• Construction supervision and management
• Assessment of environmental effects
• Resource consent applications

Our Experts
Cameron Mars
Three Waters Engineer

Stephany Pandrea
Three Waters Engineer

Jenny Bull
Three Waters Engineer

Practical, robust, high-quality. These are the standards of our strong civil engineering and infrastructure team set for themselves. We strive for better long-term value through our full package offering that efficiently covers full civil works and infrastructure design and construction observation, from concept to consent through to tender and construction.

We deliver well-designed and integrated solutions for overground and underground infrastructure. By taking a collaborative approach across our other in-house expertise, we create developments where infrastructure, transport and land use work in synergy.

Made up of chartered professional engineers, registered professional surveyors and CAD technicians, we are experts, our team are experienced in both the design and project management aspects of civil infrastructure. We use the latest technology to deliver precise 3D design data to contractors for accurate construction, and our in-house surveying capabilities ensure verifiable and correct site data, every time.

Our understanding of best practice standards and relevant legislation and regulations, combined with our knowledge of innovative materials and solutions, means we can provide smart solutions for a wide array of projects.

With our expertise in project management and project delivery and good working relationships with local Councils, we strive to provide you with a smooth process.

With offices in Christchurch, Queenstown and Hokitika, and staff frequently in Nelson, our civil and infrastructure services are available for projects throughout the South Island.

Our civil & infrastructure services

• Design of earthworks and landforms associated with land development
• Design of roads and intersections, either new or upgraded
• Design and modelling of water supply networks
• Design of wastewater reticulation
• Design of small community and onsite wastewater land application, treatment and disposal systems
• Design and modelling of stormwater reticulation, treatment and attenuation systems
• Co-ordination of power and utility service provider designs
• Construction project management and engineering contract administration
• Preparation of erosion, sediment, and dust management plans for construction
• Tender and contract document preparation and administration
• Building consent applications and processing
• Construction monitoring services

Our Experts
Jerry Schutte
Associate | Infrastructure Team Lead

Mark Thomson
Civil Engineer

Greg McKeever
Subdivision Engineer

Whether it’s a spec build or tailored design, developing sites is a skill that goes back to our roots. With over 80 years’ experience partnering with developers, design-build contractors, investors and business owners, we’re experts at creating commercially viable and functional building developments.

Drawing on the complementary capabilities and significant expertise of our multidisciplinary land development team, we help you get the most out of your site to deliver a smarter project outcome – that is, one that is economical to construct and adaptable to future tenant requirements.

We work closely with you at all stages of a project, first taking the time to understand your vision; then guiding you through the process as we deliver the various stages of your development. This includes initial site investigation, concept and detailed design, and the management of the consenting, procurement, construction and handover phases of the project.

Our in-house expertise covers almost everything a site development project needs. If ever there’s a gap, we procure, manage and coordinate appropriate consultants from a network of trusted providers. This collaborative and versatile approach offers complete, integrated solutions for projects of any size; or we can provide a single service in isolation.

Our site development services

• Structural engineering
• Architectural detailing
• Civil engineering
• Geotechnical engineering
• Surveying
• Town planning and resource consent applications
• Contamination assessment
• Landscape architecture
• Building consent applications and management
• Tender administration and contractor procurement
• Construction contract administration – engineer to NZS3910 contract
• Construction monitoring

Our experts
Travers Armstrong
Director | Structural Engineer

Jade McFarlane
Associate | Landscape Architect & Urban Designer

Cameron Mars
Three Waters Engineer

We thrive on creating attractive places to live and work; places that people want to use and want to be in. We’re specialists in creating multi-purpose spaces grounded in best practice design and sustainable outcomes, tailoring each design to achieve your project objectives and capitalise on-site opportunities.

Our landscape design services are called on by commercial businesses, government organisations and private residential clients alike.

We create healthier communities and contribute to social wellbeing through open spaces where people can rest, play and interact.

Through carefully selected plant and material palettes, we create attractive and visually cohesive developments that are sensitive to their surrounding environment and contribute to higher lot values.

We restore ecosystems by carefully selecting plant species that create healthy, clean waterways and biodiverse environments for native fauna to thrive.

Drawing on our diverse project experience, we deliver successful designs that meet your scale, budget and maintenance requirements. Clear and ongoing communication ensures you’re always making informed decisions, and our wider multi-disciplinary team is available at any point of the project for a more comprehensive solution.

Our landscape architecture services

• Concept and detailed landscape design for residential and commercial properties
• Landscape construction management and contract administration
• Visually appropriate and attractive planting plans
• Public space design including playgrounds, parks and inner-city spaces
• Landscape assessments for resource consent applications
• Environmental restoration and farm revegetation plans, including riparian planting

Our Experts
Jade McFarlane
Associate | Landscape Architect & Urban Designer

Kess Aleksandrova
Landscape Architect

Matthias Smink
Landscape Architect

For a simpler yet better process, tap into a lifetime’s experience in land development and all the technical expertise and services you need in-house. We understand each project is different, so we tailor our approach to meet the unique complexities of your project and deliver a smarter outcome.

With a multidisciplinary team made up of expert surveyors, civil, geotechnical and environmental engineers, planners, urban designers and landscape architects, we can take complex projects from start to finish. We provide our clients with high-quality, practical planning and design solutions, and efficient consenting process, and an experienced contract and construction management team. This collaborative and versatile approach offers complete, ‘full package’ integrated solutions for projects of any size; or we can provide a single service in isolation.

Our land development services

• Site investigation, including land title and district plan review to advise on development restrictions; investigation and survey of existing infrastructure/services; and environmental and contamination investigation
• Development cost proposals
• Planning and consent preparation
• Urban design assessments
• Master Planning/site concept plans / 3D built form modelling and animations
• Detailed design of roading, infrastructure, open space/reserves
• Project Management and contract administration, from concept to completion
• Using GIS to spatially map data in an easy-to-read way, and communicate project development progress
• As-built surveys

Our experts
Mark Allan
Managing Director | Surveyor

Bruce Sinclair
Principal | Surveyor

Jerry Schutte
Associate | Infrastructure Team Lead

We’re all about shaping a better tomorrow.
By thinking outside the box and collaborating with some of the best technical minds in the industry through our multidisciplinary approach, we can save you time, cost and hassle - otherwise known as long term value. Not to mention the robust, attractive solutions we deliver!

A team with integrity
Starting out as a family-run business, Eliot Sinclair’s core values still hold true amongst our team today. We stand by what we do because we believe it is the best way and will get the best result every time.

Greater good practices
We’re experts at balancing sustainability with commercial outcomes. Our innovative solutions are designed to suit the here and now and only get better with time. With aspirations to better the future of our land and communities, sustainable practices are built into everything we do.

The benefits of partnership
Where does the opportunity lie? What are the risks? Knowing this enables you to make decisions with confidence. That’s what we help to identify by pooling our resources and looking broader and deeper at your objectives.

In-house, our multidisciplinary skillsets come together to add value through creative efficiency. We work together to find and deliver the most appropriate, innovative and integrated outcomes throughout the life of any project, from the conceptual phase through to deliverables and project management.

Our collaborative and comprehensive approach also extends to how we work with you. We remain ever flexible, tailoring our approach to suit what works best for you.