History

Newly registered surveyor, James Leonard (JL) Davis purchased a partnership in a survey and grain seed business in Akaroa.

JL Davis set up his own insurance assessment and survey business. His practice was known as JL Davis Registered Surveyor and Claims Assessor.

Davis’ son, Michael joined the firm as a survey cadet, prompting a change in name of the firm to JL Davis and Son.

Structural and civil engineering services were a perfect complement to the survey services already offered and engineer Gavin Ogilvie was invited to join the firm.

Gavin Ogilvie became a partner in the firm. This provoked a third change in company name, to JL Davis, Son, Ogilvie and Associates.

The company’s name changed to Davis Ogilvie and Associates as the founding partners retired and other experts joined the company.

Barry Greig joined the firm in August 1968 as a surveyor, awaiting his final exams. With all exams completed he became a Registered Surveyor in October 1968. 50 years on, Barry is still a valuable member of the Davis Ogilvie team today, working as a Survey Consultant on various developments

The practice expanded during this period, establishing offices in Kaiapoi, Oamaru and Ashburton, serving many more clients and covering more territory.

Michael Davis retired, Barry Greig became a partner and the firm adopted its current name: Davis Ogilvie & Partners.

Dan Cusiel joined the firm as a survey technician. He spent 5.5 years with the firm before heading away on an OE, returning 18 months later initially as a survey technician, then moving into engineering. Dan now works as a Project Manager for Davis Ogilvie overseeing many large scale projects.

Guy Carnaby also joined Davis Ogilvie in 1974. He was initially employed as a subdivision designer. 45 years on Guy is employed as a Development Consultant specialising in providing planning advice on all land and building developments.

Tim Liley joined Davis Ogilvie as a survey assistant. Tim has now been with the DO team for 39 years. He is a qualified survey technician and his role for the last 18 years has been survey team leader.

Resource Management Planning was introduced to Davis Ogilvie, complementing the existing range of surveying and engineering services available.

Russell Benge joined the Davis Ogilvie team as a graduate surveyor.

Acquired the Cowan and Holmes practice in Timaru

Tony Lindbom joined Gourdie and Ward in Nelson. In later years this company would merge with Davis Ogilvie, becoming Davis Ogilvie’s Nelson branch.

Elliot Duke joined Davis Ogilvie as a graduate engineer.

The Nelson branch opened as a result of the merger with Gourdie and Ward, to be managed by Director David Ward.

Davis Ogilvie acquired the Cowan and Holmes practice in Greymouth. This became Davis Ogilvie’s Greymouth branch.

Russell Benge was announced as a director in 2007 after 13 years with Davis Ogilvie, several of those in the role of senior surveyor. Russell specialises in project management, all aspects of rural and urban cadastral surveys, greenfield developments, unit title developments, and the Resource Management process for land development.

Davis Ogilvie welcomed Glen McLachlan as local owner/Managing Director of the Timaru Branch and Davis Ogilvie (Aoraki) Ltd was created.

After 10 years with Davis Ogilvie Elliot Duke became a director. As a Chartered Professional Engineer Elliot specialises in the civil and geotechnical aspects of projects; including geotechnical investigations, residential and commercial construction, roading and infrastructure design, stormwater, wastewater, and contaminated site management.

After 19 years working for the Davis Ogilvie (and previously Gourdie and Ward) Tony Lindbom became our Nelson based director, leading the Nelson and Greymouth teams.

In October 2018 the team at Davis Ogilvie helped Barry celebrate his 50th anniversary with the company. 50 years on Barry is still a valuable member of the Davis Ogilvie team today, working as a Survey Consultant on various developments. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement from all the team at DO.