Hawke's Bay District Staff

Brian Foote

Director Registered Professional Surveyor MNZIS, MCSNZ

Brian grew up in the Hawke's Bay and always wanted to return, so when the opportunity came to expand The Surveying Company into the Hawke's Bay in 1999 he jumped on it. Brian relocated himself to the Hawke's Bay in 2003 to personally oversee the office and enjoy the lifestyle on offer here.

Early in his surveying career Brian worked in the many locations overseas including the UK and Saudi Arabia assisting in the establishment of their oil industry in the 1970's. He returned to New Zealand and worked for a number of smaller surveying companies before eventually settling in the Pukekohe region. It was here that he and his business partner John Gasson came to the realization that there must be a better way to run a surveying company. The common factor that appeared to be missing was "consistent high quality of service". Together they established "The Surveying Company" with the purpose of delivering this and now Brian applies his 30 plus years of professional experience to bringing this to the Hawke's Bay.

Seamus (Brian) Daly

Regional Manager Registered Professional Surveyor BSurv, BSc(Physics) MNZIS

Originally from Timaru, Seamus graduated from Otago University in 1998 with a degree in Surveying and Physics and began his Surveying career with the Surveying Company in Pukekohe. In this rapidly growing environment Seamus learnt many of the technical aspects of surveying that he now utilizes for the benefit of the Hawke's Bay. Seamus moved to the Hawke's Bay with his young family in 2004 to manage the office and has assisted in the growth of the company from an initial staff of four to our current levels of nine. Seamus brings his love of the outdoors to his working environment incorporating aspects in urban design for the sustainable benefit of the Hawke's Bay. Seamus brings a knowledgeable, approachable quality to the face of surveying and project management which maximizes the benefits to clients from first time developers to large scale professionals.  If you are wondering about the dual name, it simplifies matters in the office with two Brians. 

Shaun Doyle

Land Surveyor Dip Surv/Eng

Shaun relocated to New Zealand with his Hawke's Bay born wife and family in 2000 and purchased a rural property in the Maraekakaho township area.  Originally from Sydney with a technician/engineering background Shaun brings a wealth of practical understanding to our team with 23 years of multi discipline surveying experience ranging from subdivision and engineering to multi level construction and setout gained in the UK environment. Shaun's farming experience gives him the ability to work in well with rural land owners and despite being Australian and having an obvious convict history he now sees the light and brings an entertaining aspect to our daily working life.

Nick Wakefield

Land Surveyor BSurv MNZIS

Born in Hastings, Nick began work with us in November 2007 having completed his degree with distinction at Otago University. His high grades at University are reflected in the speed he has fitted into our team and the fact he is showing ability well beyond his limited time with us. Nick is a keen cricketer with the Havelock North Cricket Club and like all our graduates will quickly bowl over his written laws and regulations exam followed by his professional interviews for Licensing.

Rita Homes

Land Surveyor BSurv(Hons) MNZIS

Rita is the newest member of the team, starting with us in January 2009 after completing her surveying degree with honours at Otago University in 2008. She is a keen orienteer and loves the outdoors, so is eager to begin her professional training in the East Coast countryside. She recently completed the Kaweka Challenge so we are anticipating she will easily cope with the long field days ahead of her.

John Nielsen

Computer Aided Draftsman

John began work with us in November 2007 and has quickly applied his 15 years of drafting experience to the world of surveying. He has made this adjustment quickly having previously been a draftsman in the engineering field and working in the engineering industry for over 25 years. Of Viking origin and this is not surprising when you meet him, John enjoys a keen interest in astronomy which in itself has many Surveying attributes. We look forward to discovering more hidden abilities as he settles into this new role.

Ashleigh Bidwell

General Office Administrator

We recruited Ashleigh from an advert placed in the Hawke's Bay Today in October 2007. The Advertised position was for a "GOA" General Office Administrator and she has shown all the intelligence and enthusiasm we had hoped for. Considering her relatively young age she has shown remarkable maturity in the role and has brought the technical computing abilities common with her generation. We are fortunate to have her as our first point of contact for clients.