Joe Fletcher
Director
Originally from Mangawhai, Joe completed his Bachelor of Surveying at Otago University before working in Australia, Queenstown and Christchurch before returning to the region. Joe has been the Director of Horizon since 2019. He lives in Snells Beach and has three young boys. Whenever he gets the chance, Joe can be found at the golf driving range. He is also a passionate Warriors supporter and don’t we all hear about it.
Sarah Fletcher
Marketing Manager
Meet Sarah – Our Marketing Manager and More!
Sarah plays a pivotal role at Horizon, not only as our Marketing Manager but also overseeing Strategic Planning and People & Culture. With her keen eye for detail and strong leadership skills, she helps shape the direction of our business while fostering a positive team environment.
Sarah completed her Bachelor of Commerce at Otago University, majoring in Marketing. Her expertise in branding, client engagement, and business strategy ensures Horizon continues to grow while maintaining strong relationships with our clients and community.
Beyond her professional achievements, Sarah has a full and vibrant life outside of work. She and her husband, Joe, are raising three boys, keeping their household dynamic and full of energy! A creative at heart, Sarah enjoys pottery in her spare time and is passionate about reformer Pilates, finding balance between movement and mindfulness.
Living in beautiful Snells Beach, Sarah embraces the coastal lifestyle, making the most of beachside living with her family. Around the office, she’s affectionately known as “the real boss” – a title well-earned through her dedication, insight, and ability to keep things running smoothly.
We’re incredibly lucky to have Sarah as a key part of the Horizon team!
Richard Bromley
Survey Manager
In 2022 we welcomed Richard Bromley to the team as our Survey Manager. Richard is a highly experienced Licensed Cadastral Surveyor and also has a Bachelor of Surveying from Otago University. Richard has over 40 years’ experience, working in the wider Auckland region and further afield. In his spare time Richard can be found diving into a good book and has a keen interest in historical accounts of pioneering surveyors of New Zealand and collecting historic survey gear.
Mike Dance
Planning Manager
Our newest addition to Horizon is Mike, who is a Town Planner. Mike started his career as plumber before completing his Bachelor of Planning from Auckland University. Mike has experience in both the public and private sector and specialised in rural development. In his spare time Mike can be found at the Stillwater Boating Club where he was recently Commodore of the club. He has also been known to speak a bit of French.
Frank Stanton
Architectural Design Manager
With over 20 years experiences in the construction industry Frank holds a LPB Design 2 licence and manages the Architectural Design at Horizon. Frank can look after the preparation of new build residential and light commercial Building Consent Applications from concept design through to preparation Building Consent drawings. Frank is another keen golfer and likes to think he is the best golfer at Horizon others may argue that.
Caitlin Wallace
Landscape Architect
Caitlin is our landscape architect, Caitlin has completed a Bachelor of Architecture in Landscape Architecture from Victoria University and then followed this with a Post Graduate Diploma. Caitlin has been gaining experience working at Dream Planning and is looking to become a Registered Landscape Architect. Caitlin enjoys a spot of big game fishing but the big one always seems to get away.
Jessie Blundell
Senior Surveyor
We are thrilled to announce that Jessie has joined our survey team!
A Mangawhai local, Jessie is an experienced Surveyor with expertise across all aspects of surveying. With a strong background in aerial mapping, construction set-outs, and cadastral work, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge and technical skill to the team. Jessie’s experience working on a diverse range of projects means she can tackle everything from large-scale developments to detailed boundary adjustments with confidence and precision.
Her passion for accuracy, problem-solving, and delivering high-quality outcomes makes her an invaluable addition to Horizon. Whether she’s out in the field or reviewing data in the office, Jessie’s meticulous approach ensures excellent results for our clients. On top of that, she brings a great sense of humor, keeping the team spirit high and the office banter lively!
Excitingly, Jessie is also a new mum to a beautiful baby boy. She’s currently on maternity leave, enjoying this special time with her family, and we look forward to welcoming her back in the second half of 2025. We’re lucky to have such a talented and dedicated professional as part of our Horizon team. Welcome, Jessie!
Stephanie McWalter
Planner
Meet Stephanie – Our Longest-Serving Team Member
Stephanie is an integral part of Horizon and holds the title of our longest-serving employee. Having previously worked at Thurlow’s for what she describes as “a long time,” she remained a key part of the team when the company rebranded to Horizon in 2019. Over the years, she has played a vital role in shaping the business and has been a trusted resource for both colleagues and clients alike.
Stephanie began her career as a draughtsperson before refining her expertise in planning. Today, she is a highly skilled planner with extensive knowledge of the Auckland region, bringing a depth of experience that is invaluable to our projects. Her ability to navigate complex planning regulations and provide insightful solutions makes her a cornerstone of the Horizon team.
Outside of work, Stephanie has a love for the great outdoors and enjoys hiking. Most recently, she took on the challenge of walking Stewart Island, embracing its rugged beauty and remote landscapes. Her adventurous spirit and dedication—both professionally and personally—are truly inspiring.
We’re incredibly grateful for Stephanie’s long-standing commitment to Horizon and look forward to many more years of her expertise, leadership, and dry humor in the office!
Jody Lovett
Office Manager Auckland
Based in our Auckland location Jody manages our Auckland office and accounts and holds a Diploma in Accounting. Outside work Jody can often be found at the gym, Jody has also trained as a kick boxer and was set to complete her first fight before it was unfortunately called off, rumour has it her opponent backed out of the fight.
Julie Riley
Office Manager Kaipara
Julie in based in our Mangawhai office and manages our Kaipara office and accounts. Julie has had a variety of office management, and accounts roles. Julie is also a part time farmer and all-round animal lover. Julie has a plethora of animals on her lifestyle block and is not afraid of getting her hands dirty.
Surveying & Land Development
Specialists, a well-established family owned consultancy.
Elena Emmerich
Draftsperson
Meet Elena – Our Talented CAD Designer
After moving to New Zealand from Germany, Elena found herself drawn to the beauty of Magical Mangawhai. Nearly a decade later, she has made a significant impact in the industry, first working with Dream Planning before joining the Horizon team as a CAD Designer.
Elena plays a crucial role in our subdivision and landscape design projects, bringing her creativity and technical expertise to life through beautifully detailed plans and 3D models. Her keen eye for design and precision ensures every project is thoughtfully executed, helping clients visualize their developments with clarity and confidence.
Beyond her CAD work, Elena’s design talent extends to our marketing efforts, where she is often called upon to add her artistic touch. Whether it’s refining visuals or enhancing presentations, her contributions help elevate Horizon’s brand.
Now, Elena is embarking on an exciting new adventure, relocating to the stunning West Coast with her partner. She’s embracing remote work in true pioneering fashion, proving that great design can happen from anywhere! While we’ll miss having her in the office, we’re thrilled she remains a valued part of our team.
Elena’s passion and skill make her an invaluable asset to Horizon—we’re lucky to have her!
Gene Wintle
Survey Technician
Meet Gene – Our Dedicated Surveyor
Gene is a true local with deep family ties to Mangawhai. Whether it’s rain, hail, or shine, you’ll find him out on-site, tackling survey fieldwork with dedication and precision. His strong work ethic and passion for the industry make him an invaluable part of the Horizon team.
A keen sportsman and outdoorsman, Gene is always up for a challenge. When he’s not on-site, he’s likely casting a line out fishing or perfecting his swing on the golf course. In fact, there’s no doubt that Gene holds the title of Horizon’s best golfer—having previously won the Mangawhai Golf Club Championship and even representing Northland.
Through 2023 and 2024, Gene studied for his Certificate in Surveying through ConnexisNZ, demonstrating his commitment to professional growth. His dedication and hard work have paid off, and the entire team is incredibly proud of his achievement. Investing in upskilling is a powerful step toward a bright future, and Gene’s commitment to continuous learning is truly inspiring.
We’re thrilled to have Gene as part of the Horizon team and look forward to seeing him continue to grow and excel in his surveying career!
Rakesh Mistry
Senior Planner
Meet Rakesh – Our Forward-Thinking Town Planner
Rakesh is an experienced town planner with a passion for shaping both urban and rural environments while preserving the rich heritage of our communities. His deep understanding of planning principles allows him to navigate the complexities of historical preservation alongside the demands of modern development, ensuring a thoughtful and balanced approach to every project.
What sets Rakesh apart is his strong background in technology, which enhances his ability to integrate innovative solutions into the planning process. His tech-savvy mindset allows him to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and future-proof developments—making him a valuable asset to both our team and our clients.
Beyond traditional planning, Rakesh has a keen interest in how AI is transforming the industry. While he embraces the opportunities that technology presents, he is also mindful of the importance of setting boundaries to ensure that human expertise and ethical considerations remain at the forefront of planning decisions.
With his unique blend of experience, technical knowledge, and forward-thinking perspective, Rakesh brings fresh insights to Horizon. We’re excited to have him on board and look forward to seeing the impact of his expertise on our projects and the communities we serve!
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