A Career Built on Integrity: Warren Haynes’ 40 Years at Eliot Sinclair

When I first stepped into Eliot Sinclair in 1981, I was a freshly minted graduate; green, eager, and ready to prove myself. I’d spent a short university holiday working for Bruce Sinclair and had left a good impression, or so I hoped. I still remember those two days vividly: I ran between the survey positions to be pegged, chain in hand, there was no walking as I was determined to show I was serious about the work. I even called him “Mr Sinclair” until he told me to stop, it only took a day for him to decide “Bruce” would do just fine.

That brief experience set the course for the next four decades. When the chance came to join Eliot Sinclair full-time after university, I didn’t hesitate. I knew it was where I wanted to be if they would have me. What stood out to me then, and still does today, was the integrity and professionalism of the people who led the company. They cared about their work and about the people in their team who did it.

I started as a graduate surveyor, armed with a degree and enthusiasm but not much else. Within a few short years, I became a licensed cadastral surveyor and able to sign off plans in my own name. That was a proud moment, but it was also just the beginning.

Surveying took me far beyond New Zealand’s borders off and on for six years. From Singapore to the Middle East, I worked on projects that stretched both my technical abilities and my resilience. Four years in Saudi Arabia, were spent tunnelling and in quality assurance. It was challenging and rewarding, but eventually, home called. I missed New Zealand, my family and the culture of collaboration that defined Eliot Sinclair.

When I returned in 1993, the company had grown, new disciplines, new people, and a new spirit of innovation. I rejoined as a Senior Surveyor and found myself stepping into more leadership and mentoring roles. In time, that led to becoming a Director, a responsibility I’ve never taken lightly.

People often ask why I stayed with one company for so long. The answer is simple: respect, trust and shared values. Bruce and Marton Sinclair set a tone of fairness and professionalism that continues to this day. No question was ever too small to ask, and no person too junior to be heard. That environment fostered loyalty, not because it was expected, but because it was earned.

Eliot Sinclair has always encouraged its people to grow, to take on new challenges and to see the bigger picture. For me, that meant expanding beyond surveying into client relationships, project management and expert witness work. I discovered I enjoyed guiding clients through complex problems and guiding younger professionals as they found their feet.

There have been plenty of memorable projects over the years. One that stands out is Catherine Fields in Rolleston, a 100-lot subdivision for the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. It was technically challenging but deeply rewarding, a perfect blend of teamwork, client trust, and problem-solving.

I’ve also had the privilege of contributing to the setting out of Christchurch’s Deans Ave Mosque, ensuring its prayer wall correctly aligned toward Mecca. That task drew on my time in the Middle East as well as a dash of spherical trigonometry and remains one of the most meaningful moments of my career.

And then there was the post-earthquake period here in Christchurch; chaotic, exhausting, but also incredibly unifying. Until that time I wore a shirt and tie everyday. From that point on, the tie was off and we rolled up our sleeves and did what needed to be done. I still remember the sense of purpose in the office during those years of earthquake recovery. Our reputation helped us attract bright new graduates, and mentoring them alongside others through that time remains one of the highlights of my career.

If there’s one thing I hope to leave behind, it’s a culture of approachability and respect. I’ve always believed that if someone takes the time to come to your door with a problem, it’s worth stopping to listen. Usually, they’ve already tried to solve it themselves, they just need a bit of perspective or guidance. That willingness to stop, listen and help is something I learned from Bruce and Marton and have tried to carry on.

As I step back from my role at the end of this year, I don’t see it as a goodbye. I’ll always be at the end of a phone if someone needs advice, particularly when it comes to the nuances of cross lease conversions or the history of landholdings I have previously worked on. Experience is something you can’t download, but it can be shared, and I’m happy to keep doing that where I can.

When I think about what’s kept me here for 37 years and two months, it comes down to people. Eliot Sinclair has always been a company that values integrity, fosters growth and treats everyone, staff and clients alike, with respect. It’s been a privilege to be part of its story and to contribute to the legacy of a company that’s helped shape so much of Canterbury’s landscape.

As I prepare to hand over the reins, I feel proud, not just of the successfully completed projects, but of the relationships built along the way. I’ve been lucky to work for and alongside good people doing meaningful work, and that’s all anyone can really ask for.