Planner / Senior Planner

Opportunity

Join a planning team as either a Planner or Senior Planner and contribute to a broad mix of work across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or other locations in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will be part of a national group of 60 planning professionals and work closely with local experts on projects that support communities and infrastructure.

The role covers a wide variety of sectors, including local government, transport, three waters, energy, community infrastructure, and industrial clients. Current and recent clients include Watercare, Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, Wellington City Council, Tiaki Wai, Christchurch City Council, Transpower, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Ministry of Education, renewable energy providers, and other industrial organisations.

This position suits planners who want to strengthen their technical capability, handle complex multidisciplinary assignments, and build strong client relationships while contributing to outcomes that shape communities across New Zealand.

What you will do

• Provide high-quality planning advice and support project delivery.
• Work on complex, multidisciplinary assignments with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to both local and nationwide projects alongside a collaborative team.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with clients, mana whenua, stakeholders, and members of the public.
• Support planning outcomes across statutory and strategic work, including regional consenting.
• Collaborate with transport specialists, landscape architects, urban designers, environmental advisors, and engineers.
• Participate in ongoing learning, including development linked to resource management reform.
• For more senior work, help guide and develop others within the team.

What we are looking for

You should be ready for the next step in your planning career and keen to use your skills to make a meaningful contribution. Candidates who do not meet every requirement are still encouraged to express interest.

• A degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, or a similar field.
• NZPI membership, either full membership or working toward it for the Senior Planner level.
• At least 4 years’ experience for Planner roles or 7+ years’ experience for Senior Planner roles in environmental and urban planning.
• Practical understanding of the RMA and experience in statutory and strategic planning.
• Strong collaborative habits and experience working in team settings and supporting the growth of others.
• Commercial awareness and a client-first approach.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Broad understanding of planning-related disciplines and the ability to engage effectively with clients, mana whenua, stakeholders, and the public.
• Consultancy experience is preferred.
• Experience in water, transport, or energy markets, or with industrial and government clients, would be beneficial.

What is offered

• Exposure to resource management knowledge sharing, with a current emphasis on reform and team upskilling.
• Access to learning from industry leaders and technical specialists.
• Professional development training to build capability.
• A supportive and inclusive workplace where you can bring your whole self to work.
• Flexible working arrangements to help balance work and personal commitments.
• Shareholding opportunities.
• Wellbeing leave and volunteer leave.
• The option to buy up to two additional weeks of annual leave each year.
• Enhanced parental leave, including up to 22 weeks of fully paid leave after the birth or placement of a child, available to all genders.
• Discounted health, life, and income protection insurance.

About the employer

The organisation is a large independent advisory, design, and engineering consultancy operating across Asia Pacific. With more than 4,000 people across 25 offices and project delivery in over 70 countries, it focuses on client-centred solutions, strong relationships, and helping communities, assets, and operations perform better.

Diversity and inclusion

The workplace is committed to an open and inclusive culture that welcomes people of all genders, ethnicities, identities, perspectives, and experiences.