Sarah Atkins
CIVIL CAD TECHNICIAN
Given her favourite places in the world all feature heat, sun and a beach, Sarah Atkins may have been a little surprised to hear about Envelope's Winter Solstice Swim in her very first week in chilly Christchurch. It was also the moment she realised this was a workplace that did things a little differently.
Sarah was born in Christchurch, where her biggest influence was her family, who always encouraged her to take opportunities and pursue her passions. She spent all her spare time riding horses and discovering the hilly farms around her home, with her friends.
Having discovered early on that she enjoyed design and figuring out how things work, especially getting hands-on with challenges, Sarah studied for a Bachelor of Industrial Product Design at the University of Canterbury.
New Plymouth beckoned for Sarah and her partner, and she spent two years working as a CAD technician on the Mount Messenger bypass, assisting the engineering and survey teams with modelling. Her work included cut-stage modelling, creating access tracks, and fitting sediment retention ponds into the narrow valleys of the Taranaki landscape.
After a move back to Christchurch, Sarah started at Envelope in mid-2026. She knew from day one it was the place for her, with a strong team feeling and a warm, friendly welcome (not to mention that chilly mid-winter team swim!).
Sarah likes to keep a balance outside of work, playing tennis and working out at the gym, as well as reading and painting.
Sarah starts the day the right way—with a strong coffee, ideally accompanied by something to satisfy her sweet tooth. Whittaker's is hard to beat.
She also admits to having a penchant for house plants, having a good-sized collection scattered throughout her home. Her dog, Alfie, is always up for a long walk, possibly while both dreaming of that beach holiday destination on a beautiful crisp Canterbury morning.
Phone
+64 27 959 3978
