Our
History

Founding fathers Thomas Kingwell Skinner and Thomas Gore Sole established their practice in 1881 and the following year they surveyed the New Plymouth to Hawera railway. Leaving indelible marks on Taranaki’s landscape and profession, the business partners were founding members of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors.

Thomas Skinner (1849-1925) came from a family of surveyors, including his brothers John and William. Skinner Street, inland of Stratford, bears their family name. When the New Plymouth Borough was formed in 1876, Thomas Skinner became responsible for the first water supply and many other important works until 1895.

Thomas Sole (1858-1936) was born in New Plymouth and, following five years with the Provincial Survey Department, qualified as a surveyor in 1879. Sole Road at Ngaere is named after him.

In 1890, Thomas Sole left the partnership to go farming, although he later returned to private practice in New Plymouth.

1881

Thomas Kingwell Skinner and Thomas Gore Sole established a surveying and engineering practice in New Plymouth.

1902

Thomas Skinner enters into partnership with Lewis Sladden. Skinner retires and Sladden takes over the surveying and engineering business

1903

Alfred Palmer, who served his cadetship as surveyor and civil engineer under Thomas Skinner, enters into partnership with Lewis Sladden.

1939

Christopher Saxton, a former engineering assistant with the New Plymouth Borough Council, partners with Alfred Palmer.

1946

Thomas Urwin enters into partnership with Christopher Saxton.

1966

James Christie enters into partnership with Christopher Saxton.

1971

Colin McKinlay partners with Christopher Saxton and James Christie.

1972

Graham Hills is employed as a survey cadet.

1988

McKinlay and Co. Surveyors is incorporated as a company with Colin McKinlay as director.

1992

Alan Doy is employed by Colin McKinlay as a surveying student while attending Otago University. Stephen Koning completes his Bachelor of Surveying at Otago University.

2002

Colin McKinlay retires and Alan Doy, Licensed Cadastral Surveyor, is appointed a director of McKinlay and Co. Surveyors.

2005

Stephen Koning is employed by McKinlay and Co. Surveyors as a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor.

2009

McKinlay Surveyors 2010 Limited is incorporated as a company with Alan Doy, Stephen Koning and Graham Hills as directors.

2012

Graham Hills retires having served 40 years for McKinlay Surveyors.

2026

2026 Alan Doy and Stephen Koning continue as directors for McKinlay Surveyors.