We help landowners, developers, and project teams move from early feasibility through approvals, construction, and title with clear and honest advice, practical solutions, and coordinated delivery.
Built around practical delivery, Clark Fortune McDonald is a locally owned consultancy with offices in Queenstown, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Gore.
We are known for integrated land development services, strong regional knowledge, and a practical approach to getting projects done well.
By bringing surveying, engineering, and planning together as one coordinated team, we help clients move projects forward with confidence and clarity.
Clark Fortune McDonald has roots tracing back to an Otago and Southland surveying practice established in 1890. Over time, the business has grown alongside the region and has been involved in many of the South Island’s significant land development projects.
That history gives us a strong foundation and a lasting connection to the land, the people, and the communities we work with. It is part of who we are, but it does not define us on its own. Today, Clark Fortune McDonald is an integrated land development consultancy focused on practical delivery across the South Island. We build on that history through coordinated surveying, engineering, and planning services that respond to the needs of today’s projects, clients, and communities.
Chris has been involved in many major land development projects, including Shotover Country, Tewa Banks, Links Gate, Quail Rise, and Coneburn Industrial. He is known for his technical understanding, practical judgement, innovative thinking, and ability to help move complex projects forward. Chris has made a lasting contribution to land development in the region and continues to play an important role in shaping practical, well-considered project outcomes.
Eddie works across subdivision and land development projects, helping guide clients through surveying, consenting, design coordination, delivery, and title. He is known for clear communication, practical thinking, and a calm, solutions-focused approach to complex work.
Alongside his project role, Eddie also takes a leading role in the wider business through strategic planning, people and culture, and helping shape CFMA’s future direction.
He has extensive expertise in the design of earthworks, roading geometry, and three waters infrastructure, along with council engineering approvals, 223 and 224c approvals, contract administration, and construction supervision. Roy specialises in finding practical solutions for challenging sites, particularly those with steep topography or servicing constraints.
Roy is also a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor and continues to undertake cadastral survey work when required. He is based out of Cromwell two days a week, making him well placed to assist with projects across Central Otago.
Since joining CFMA in 2016, Sam has gained experience across all facets of surveying. He now focuses on land development design, project management, and cadastral surveying, with involvement in major developments including Millbrook, Koko Ridge, and Hogans Gully Farm Golf Resort.
Outside of work, Sam enjoys spending time in the mountains tramping, paragliding, climbing, mountain biking, and backcountry skiing.
Since graduating from the University of Otago in 2014, he has worked on a wide range of projects across New Zealand, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Scotland. His experience includes subdivisions, land development, infrastructure works, wind farms, distilleries, overhead power lines, port surveys, and nautical charting.
Since joining CFMA in 2017, Lachlan has continued to work across a variety of local development and engineering projects, bringing a practical approach and strong technical understanding to each one.
Since joining CFMA, Ben has contributed to a wide range of projects, including topographical surveys, construction set-out, land title subdivisions, contract administration, and detailed design work. His role is now primarily focused on land development engineering, where he brings proven, real-world capability in subdivision design, stormwater modelling, and the delivery of practical engineering solutions from concept through to construction.
Outside of work, Ben can usually be found mountain biking or tramping in the hills, most often with his kelpie, Russ, by his side.
Hannah enjoys working with clients, consultants, and councils to help bring development projects to life. She is known for her practical approach, attention to detail, and ability to find solutions that keep projects progressing efficiently while maintaining a high standard of work.
Since then, he has worked across subdivisions, golf courses, ski fields, and a range of smaller projects, including set-out, redefinition, and topographical surveys. Ben is highly skilled in drone-based photogrammetry and LiDAR, mobile SLAM scanning, and terrestrial laser scanning, and is experienced in processing and managing large point cloud datasets to deliver accurate, high-quality survey outputs.
Outside of work, Ben can usually be found mountain biking, backcountry skiing, or hiking the trails around Queenstown — and when he is not outdoors, he is often brewing his own beer.
Since joining CFMA in 2023, Karl has worked on cadastral, topographical, scanning, control, and engineering surveys, along with calculations, processing, and design work in the office. Karl is also actively involved in the industry through Survey and Spatial New Zealand (S+SNZ), both at the Central Otago branch level and through the S+SNZ Emerging Leaders Programme.
Outside of work, Karl enjoys surveying, dirt biking, mountain biking, snowboarding, and making the most of everything the Otago region has to offer.
Outside of work, Luke enjoys taking full advantage of the Queenstown lifestyle, spending time skiing and on the golf course.
Sam works across a range of cadastral, topographical, and engineering surveying projects, and enjoys the variety that surveying provides. He strives for excellence in all aspects of his role and enjoys contributing to reliable outcomes for clients.
Outside of work, Sam enjoys making the most of the outdoors through golf, skiing, and running.
After taking a gap year in Canada, Ella returned to her hometown of Tauranga and began working in the hydrographic industry as a hydrospatial analyst. She gained experience in data processing using GIS and specialised hydrographic software, as well as data acquisition in both coastal New Zealand and offshore Australia. Ella then moved to Queenstown in January 2026 and shifted her career to land surveying and geospatial work.
Since joining CFMA, Ella has contributed to a range of projects, including drafting plans and preparing GIS as-builts.
Outside of work, Ella enjoys everything Queenstown has to offer, including mountain biking, tramping, and skiing.
Born in Southland and raised in Queenstown, Anna has also raised her family here. She brings strong local knowledge, a warm and approachable nature, and a reliable, hard-working approach to her role.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and hiking in the hills around Queenstown.
Around the office, their key interests include frisbees, runs at lunchtime, strategically timed pats, and making sure no one takes themselves too seriously. They add a bit of personality to the workplace and are a good reminder that a positive team culture matters.
We have also had some much-loved dogs over the years, including Moe, Cecil, Rocky, Sebastian, and Missy who are still fondly remembered as part of the wider CFMA crew.
Joe enjoys applying his technical knowledge and practical experience to work closely with clients, helping deliver efficient, practical, and well-considered development outcomes from initial investigation through to completion.
Outside of work, Joe enjoys fishing, tramping, exploring the outdoors, and spending quality time with his young family around the South Island.
Ethan works across a range of surveying and planning roles, supporting subdivision projects throughout Christchurch. He brings a practical approach to his work and enjoys being involved in projects that help move developments forward.
Outside of work, Ethan enjoys cycling and fishing.
Toby brings a methodical approach to technical problem-solving, drawing on experience across the full shift from analogue to digital to AI-driven workflows - and knowing when each has the edge.
Josh also contributes scanning and reality capture services where accurate spatial information and clear technical communication are essential. He is known for a practical approach, strong communication, and helping move projects forward with well-considered design and delivery support.
Clark Fortune McDonald is built on practical thinking, strong relationships, and a genuine enjoyment of the work. We value clear communication, shared knowledge, and a team-first approach that brings our disciplines together to deliver the best outcomes for clients and projects.
Our culture is grounded in trust, responsibility, and learning. We work hard, support each other, and keep things straightforward. It is a professional environment, but not a corporate one. We take pride in doing good work, continuing to improve, and having fun while getting it done.
