A rich and colourful past
We really have been so much more than a bloke with a theodolite for some time now.
RPC Land Surveyors has a long & proud history of surveying, beginning in 1970 when John Rainford moved to Whakatane and purchased an existing small survey practice. Fourteen years later he employed Peter Crane as a graduate surveyor from Otago University Survey School. Peter is now a Director of RPC, based in the Mount Maunganui office and, together with his fellow Directors, continues to drive the specialist, high quality outcomes for Clients which remain the cornerstone of the firm’s philosophy. One way that we have always tried to deliver the best outcomes for clients has been in the area of technology. We have always tried to keep at the forefront of changes in technology and were one of the first survey firms to become computerised and invest in a computer and survey software – a significant investment at the time but key to our ongoing commitment to being “so much more than a bloke with a theodolite”!
But we didn’t stop there! Next came our investment in one of the first electronic Total Station theodolites to allow us to move from using an optical theodolite and steel band. We have always believed that we have the best staff and they are committed to working with the best technology in order to ensure accuracy and efficiency and that commitment will continue into the future.In 1987 we were right in the middle of the Edgecumbe earthquake of March 1987. The Whakatane office survived the quake and staff were involved for several months in the rebuild of the Tasman Pulp and Paper Company in Kawerau and the reestablishment of survey control in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. We have had a long association with Tasman Pulp and Paper Company (now Norske Skog Tasman). We’ve been involved with work in and around the mill site and working long hours on the paper machines during shutdowns. This involved working 12 hour shifts in confined, hot and challenging environments completing very precise surveys, always with the pressure of time and deadlines. More recently, we completed a full survey of the Rangitaiki river from the Matahina Dam to the coast obtaining stopbank information and river cross sections. This involved working from jet boats up and down the river at some hair raising speeds. Today, we continue to work with a wide range of clients, from individuals to corporations, with widely differing needs. Our commitment continues to be to bring knowledge, expertise and perspective to help our clients ensure that their wider land development objectives are effectively met.
Our leadership team
Peter Crane
Director, Mount Maunganui office
Qualifications:
Registered Professional Surveyor
Licensed Cadastral Surveyor
Bachelor of Surveying (with Credit)
Professional Affiliations:
Member of Consulting Surveyors of NZ
Member of Survey and Spatial New Zealand
Peter began working as a surveyor in Whakatane after graduating from university in 1985. The work involved land development surveying and included engineering surveying at the Tasman Paper Mill in Kawerau.
In 1988 Peter moved to Mount Maunganui to open a new office and in 1990 became a Director of the company. Peter has now had over 35 years work experience in the Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty area in urban and rural land development. The office has grown and expanded to now being able to offer a full range of land development services.
Peter deals with most of the clients in offering subdivision and land development advice. Peter's primary skills are subdivision design, development engineering, and the preparation of resource consent applications for subdivision. This includes Resource Management Act obligations and implementation and project coordination.
On a personal note, Peter adds:
Keen on the New Zealand outdoors and scenery, in particular tramping in the hills and mountains and travelling the country. Try and fit in a motorbike trip to a remote part of NZ once a year. Also enjoy travelling overseas when possible to see different cultures, experiences and landscapes.
Involved with the Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust. This is a trust involved with the protection of 1200ha of bush close to Tauranga. I am involved in the pest control, management of the bush and the release of NZ brown kiwi back into the bush and the protection and release of other native bird species.
I am involved with a group that does a beach clean of Pilot Bay at the base of Mount Maunganui. We each clean the beach one day a week collecting rubbish to keep the area clear for the many cruise ship visitors and local children that enjoy the beach.
I am also a Registered Umpire with Rowing New Zealand and volunteer at local rowing regattas.
Always enjoy good food and a good red wine.
Mount Maunganui is a fabulous place. So I try and get down to the beach and a walk up or around the Mount as often as possible.
07 575 4911
0274 912 424
peter.crane@rpc.co.nz
in Peter Crane
Paul Ellison
Director, Mount Maunganui office
Qualifications:
Registered Professional Surveyor
Licensed Cadastral Surveyor
Bachelor of Surveying
Professional Affiliations:
Member of Consulting Surveyors of NZ
Member of Survey and Spatial New Zealand
Paul has a total of 29 years experience in the field of surveying with 25 years experience as a registered surveyor. Paul began his career with RPC Ltd in 1994 moving onto opening a new office for the firm in Greerton, Tauranga in 1995 employing a number of technical and professional staff in the process to complete varied projects.
Paul specialises in rural and infill urban subdivisions, land title surveys and boundary redefinition, subdivision design, preparation of resource consent (subdivision) applications, Resource Management Act obligations and implementation and project coordination.
On a personal note, Paul adds:
Like more than a few kiwis, I come from a farming background and started out as a shepherd mustering on horseback on the East coast of the North Island – boundaries were sometimes a contentious issue and hence my interest in becoming a surveyor.
My interests have remained with outdoors stuff such as sailing, windsurfing and tramping.
My passion is currently flying and I hold an instructor rating for gliders and am an active Tow Pilot flying the club's Piper Cub and Pawnee tow planes on the weekends plus doing my own local flying. I try and sneak off somewhere in the aeroplane within a 100 mile radius just to have a look around.
07 575 4911
0274 409 462
paul.ellison@rpc.co.nz
in Paul Ellison
Blair Jackson
Director, Mount Maunganui office
Qualifications:
Registered Professional Surveyor
Licensed Cadastral Surveyor
Bachelor of Surveying
Professional Affiliations:
Member of Consulting Surveyors of NZ
Member of Survey and Spatial New Zealand
Blair completed his survey degree at Otago University in 1996. Thereafter he joined RPC and worked in the Whakatane office until 2000 when he transferred to the Mount Maunganui office. Blair became a Director of RPC in 2009.
Since starting with RPC, Blair has obtained over 23 years of valuable experience in rural and urban surveys as well as land development engineering for larger subdivisions.
Blair enjoys working with clients and helping them optimise the outcomes of their projects, however the size small to large. Like the rest of the RPC Team, Blair works hard to build long term relationships with clients, knowing that this is how the very best outcomes are accomplished for all involved.
On a personal note, Blair adds:
The main reason I got into Surveying was the chance to work outdoors/indoors, enjoy the fact that every project would be different and to work directly with the client which, I realised very early on, is where my greatest contribution and, therefore, satisfaction is achieved.
I was born in Nelson, grew up in Tapanui (West Otago) and Dunedin before moving to the Bay of Plenty in 1996 for work, in which I am enjoying the lifestyle and climate.
My main interests are sport – unusual for a bloke, eh ‐ and I follow the Boston Red Sox’s in MLB, New Orleans Saints NFL and the World Rally Championship. It’s tough getting to games but I owe a debt of gratitude to TV and the Internet.
Most of my free time is now taken up with my young daughter who has been a great addition to our family, but I do enjoy a good book or movie when I have time.
07 575 4911
027 289 5001
blair.jackson@rpc.co.nz
in Blair Jackson
Hilton Watson
Director, Director Auckland office
Qualifications:
Licensed Cadastral Surveyor
Bachelor of Surveying (with Credit)
National Diploma in Surveying
Professional Affiliations:
Member of Consulting Surveyors of NZ
Member of Survey and Spatial New Zealand
Hilton began working part time for RPC while studying to become Survey Technicians at UNITEC in 2002. He then continued onto Otago University and graduated with his degree in 2007. Hilton became a director in 2016.
Hilton has continued to be a permanent member of the RPC team for just over 18 years. During that time he has obtained extensive knowledge in infill subdivision, land development engineering design and resource consent applications.
This includes Resource Management Act obligations and implementation, land development supervision and project coordination. Like the rest of the RPC Team, Hilton works hard to build long term relationships with clients: this has never been more prevalent than during the implementation and evolution of the new Auckland Unitary Plan.
On a personal note, Hilton adds:
I’m the son of a builder and grew up on construction sites. I always saw these guys walking around doing something and curiosity got the better of me: turns out they were surveyors. Once I realised what they were up to, it was always in the back of my mind ‘I wouldn’t mind doing that one day’.
I’m a pretty stereo-typical Kiwi bloke I’m a big sports fan and still play rugby and touch at my local club; having recently won Bronze at the World Masters Games 2017 with my rugby team.
The body is getting a bit tired so I’ve also taken up paddle boarding and lawn bowls to keep active and see the outdoors. A bit more fishing is on the cards as well.
My partner and I love exploring New Zealand and the World; there’s nothing better than chilling with a beer, experiencing new cuisine and enjoying the culture. We’ve got a young family as well, so that’s continues to open up a whole new world of excitement and delights.
09 272 7505
0274 718 689
hilton.watson@rpc.co.nz
