Patersons Innovates with Major Restructure, Wins Award

Patersons, a company offering surveying, planning, and engineering services, has successfully restructured and rebranded, culminating in a significant award win. Originally established in Dunedin in 1900 as N. & E.S. Paterson, the firm has evolved through various phases, becoming Paterson Pitts in 1985. Now operating under the name Patersons, the company is positioned to expand its market share by fostering collaboration across its offices.

The restructuring initiative was led by Popenhagen, who joined the Queenstown office in 2004 after completing his university studies. Following a five-year stint in Australia working on infrastructure projects for the mining sector, he returned to Paterson Pitts Partners in 2013. After acquiring a stake in the business in 2018, he became a director in 2020 and was appointed board chair in 2021. Under his leadership, the company underwent a structural and ownership transformation, consolidating operations to be governed by 12 directors.

“Since I became chair, we instigated a structural change, ownership change, and brought the entire business together,” Popenhagen explained. The goal was to enhance operational efficiency and capture more market presence by leveraging the strengths of its various offices instead of functioning as separate entities. “I would argue we’ve gone through the biggest change in the last few years we’ve ever been through,” he added.

The restructuring coincides with an unprecedented growth period in the local land development sector, which Popenhagen describes as “just on steroids at the moment.” One of Patersons’ most significant current projects is the Ayrburn development in Queenstown, which began in 2018. This initiative encompasses extensive surveying and engineering work, with a strong emphasis on improving the water quality of Mill Creek, a waterway that feeds into Lake Hayes.

In addition to the Ayrburn project, Patersons has maintained a long-standing relationship with Skyline Enterprises, for which it has provided design services for over 30 years, including the development of overseas luge tracks. The firm has also been actively involved in local subdivisions and the fast-track application for the Queenstown cable car.

Popenhagen reflects on the current state of Queenstown, stating, “In my professional career, Queenstown’s about as busy as it’s ever been — it’s quite incredible at the moment.” This vibrant environment presents significant opportunities for Patersons as it seeks to grow and innovate in the engineering and surveying space.

The culmination of these changes has led to Patersons being recognized with the 2025 Consulting Surveyors of New Zealand Business Excellence Award, marking a significant achievement for the company and underscoring the success of its recent efforts to adapt and thrive in a competitive landscape.