Stokes applied for a position with the
New Zealand Company 10 April 1839 and was appointed as a survey assistant to
William Mein Smith. Stokes arrived in
Port Nicholson on 3 January 1840. In his role as survey assistant for the
New Zealand Company, Stokes assisted with surveying
Wellington, the
Hutt Valley, and
Whanganui. Stokes surveyed the first
bridle track through the Rimutaka Ranges (Stokes Track), later serving as the route for Rimutaka Hill Road. After scaling the Rimutakas Stokes noted the agricultural potential of the Wairarapa plains and spread word of such in Wellington, leading to European settlement of the Wairarapa. In 1842 Stokes resigned from his position to start his own architectural and surveying business. In 1895 Sir
Robert Donald Douglas McLean came to own the property. After returning from South America in 1843 Stokes founded the ''New Zealand Spectator & Cook's Strait Guardian'' with
Henry Petre and
Charles Clifford. Stokes was the initial editor and later became owner of the paper. In 1857 Stokes was elected to the
Wellington Provincial Council for Wellington City. The following year Stokes carried a bill that granted municipal government for Wellington City. Stokes continued to represent Wellington City until 1865 when he lost the election. Stokes was elected that same year for Wairarapa East. Stokes used his time in government to propose a railway through the
Rimutakas, although this was unsuccessful until
Julius Vogel's
public work schemes. Stokes was a Reformist opposed to
superintendent Isaac Featherston. Stokes was appointed to the
New Zealand Legislative Council on 12 July 1862. Stokes remained a member until 24 September 1879, when he was relieved of his membership due to his absence. Between 1858 and 1861 Stokes and his brother John Milbourne acquired extensive holdings in the
Hawke's Bay, including the Manganuka and Milbourne stations and several town sections in
Clive. ==Personal life and retirement==