Our History

Reyburn and Bryant has deep roots in Northland, with a planning and surveying history in Whangārei stretching back more than a century.

Much of the historical information in this account has been provided by Dave Reyburn, whose recollections have helped preserve the story of the practice.

Our beginnings

The origins of the practice can be traced to 1908, when Robert Stanley Finch established a surveying practice in Whangārei. Finch continued in practice until 1952, when the business was sold to Peter Treglown Hosking.

The Hosking family already had a long association with surveying in Northland. Peter’s father, James Dargaville Hosking, had been a surveyor in Dargaville for many years, following in the footsteps of his uncle, Francis John Hosking.

In 1952, Dave Reyburn joined Peter Hosking’s practice as his first survey cadet. Dave studied through the Technical Correspondence School in Wellington and qualified as a surveyor in December 1957.

During the mid-1950s, when surveying work was relatively quiet, Dave was seconded to architects and engineers Woolford & Smith. The role gave him considerable experience in engineering work, particularly in Dargaville, before he ultimately decided to return to full-time surveying.

A new practice takes shape

In 1960, Dave approached Lester Hunt, who had established a surveying practice in Whangārei in 1911 and was still practising at the age of 74.

Hunt intended to retire at the end of that year, and agreement was reached for Dave to purchase the practice. Dave took over the business on 12 December 1960, operating from premises at 64 Bank Street.

It was a modest practice at the outset, but one with longstanding clients including Portland Cement, the Harbour Board and a number of local families.

As work increased, the practice began to grow. Brian Currie joined in 1962 as Dave’s first survey cadet and qualified as a surveyor in 1966.

Reyburn & Bryant is formed

By 1964, the workload had increased to the point that Dave needed another qualified surveyor and a potential future partner.

Robert Selwyn Bryant, then working for the Department of Lands and Survey, initially assisted Dave with work during weekends before joining the practice full-time in November 1964.

The partnership of Reyburn & Bryant commenced on 1 October 1966.

Their partnership agreement was a remarkably simple five-page document. Dave later recalled that he and Selwyn filed it away and never needed to look at it again.

Barry Trass

Homeworld have been constructing homes and undertaking land development in the Northland region for 40 years. From day one we have used Reyburn & Bryant for all our planning and survey work from defining boundary pegs to major subdivision development. We have found them to be extremely competitive, efficient and a very professional company to deal with in all respects. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone wishing to undertake survey work of any kind.

Growing with Northland

As the business expanded, its original premises became too small and Reyburn & Bryant moved to new offices in Rathbone Street, known as Fletcher House. The practice employed its first draughtsman and receptionist there.

Several years later, the firm moved again, this time to premises it purchased at 7 Hunt Street.

The practice was closely involved in Northland's growth and development. In the late 1960s, Reyburn & Bryant undertook subdivision work for a number of clients in the Kerikeri area. The growth of the kiwifruit industry generated sufficient work for the practice to establish an office in Kerikeri.

Over time, Reyburn & Bryant became involved in an increasingly diverse range of surveying, planning and development work across Northland, building relationships with local authorities, businesses, landowners and families that often extended across generations.

A changing practice

By the 1980s, attention had turned to succession.

An agreement was subsequently reached with Von Sturmer, Gilkison and Henry, with the takeover taking effect on 1 April 1988. At that time Reyburn & Bryant had grown to a staff of 13.

Dave and Selwyn initially agreed to remain with the business for a further three years on reduced hours, with the arrangement ultimately continuing for approximately another two years.

The next generation

A new generation of ownership began in 1991, as the practice moved into its next phase.

The practice continued to evolve as the earlier partners retired. By that time, the business was operating from four offices in Whangārei, Kerikeri, Paihia and Greymouth.

In 1999, the business was divided into two independent practices. Richard Henry and Bryce Woodward formed Reyburn & Bryant (1999) Limited, comprising the Whangārei and Greymouth offices, while the Kerikeri and Paihia offices continued as a separate practice.

Richard Henry retired in 2003, leaving Bryce Woodward as the sole director of Reyburn & Bryant (1999) Limited. Bryce then took the business through an unprecedented period of growth, introducing systems and practices that are still evident in how the business is run today.

A new partnership

In 2005, Brett Hood and Phil Lash joined Bryce Woodward as partners and directors of Reyburn & Bryant.

At the end of 2008, Bryce retired to pursue his coaching career in professional rugby and Richard Smales joined Brett and Phil.

Under the new generation of ownership, Reyburn & Bryant continued to grow and develop its planning and surveying services while maintaining the strong Northland focus and ethics that had characterised the practice from its earliest days.

The firm's connection with Kerikeri also came full circle. Having operated there in an earlier chapter of its history, Reyburn & Bryant established a new Kerikeri planning and surveying office in 2022, strengthening its ability to service clients throughout the Far North.

More recently, planners Joseph Henehan and Thomas Keogh have become shareholders in the business, continuing the progressive transition to the next generation.

More than a century in Northland

From a small Whangārei surveying practice established in 1908, Reyburn & Bryant has evolved through successive generations of surveyors, planners and other professionals.

The people and structure of the business have changed considerably over that time, as has the technology used to do the work. What has remained is a strong connection with Northland, an understanding of the region and its communities, and relationships with clients that in many cases have continued for decades.

Today, Reyburn & Bryant is a Northland based planning and surveying practice with offices in Whangārei and Kerikeri, working on projects throughout Northland and beyond.

More than a century after the story began, the values that shaped the early practice remain relevant: local knowledge, professional expertise, practical advice and long-term relationships.