Senior Planner

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NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi seeks a Senior Planner for a fixed-term parental leave cover until January 2027, with location flexibility across NZTA offices. Join the Poutiaki Taiao Environmental Planning team and apply RMA expertise across planning and consenting streams including plan changes, LUDs, emergency works and major projects. Represent NZTA at hearings and community meetings and guide decision makers toward transparent, informed outcomes while building stakeholder relationships. To apply, tailor your CV to RMA processes, drafting and submissions, stakeholder engagement, and show Te Ao Māori and te Tiriti understanding, NZPI membership or progress, and a relevant planning qualification. Applications close 24 February 2026; early applications encouraged.

• Apply your technical knowledge across the planning spectrum
• Fixed-term position until January 2027
• Flexibility to be located at any of our NZTA offices

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Our Poutiaki Taiao Environmental Planning team is the primary home of resource management planning expertise for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).  We have an opportunity for a Senior Planner to join the team for a fixed-term (parental leave cover) until January 2027.

As a Senior Planner, you will apply your technical knowledge to provide expertise in planning and consenting work streams and support across the organisation for statutory consents and approvals. Depending on the skills and experience you bring to the team, there are a range of workstreams you could be involved with, such as:

• Private plan changes and other policy work
• LUDs (sec 95 and Sec 176 responses for Land Use Developments)
• Emergency works (rainfall events in Northland)
• Assist principals with Roads of National Significance
• Other minor projects e.g. slips and State Highway repair works

The role has great scope for building and working with key local stakeholders, as you partner with them to determine land use decisions.  You'll be representing NZTA at hearings, community meetings and other forums, and provide advice and oversight to enable decision makers to make transparent and informed decisions.

Find more information about the role here: Senior Planner position description.  Appointment base salary is between $109,408 - $133,720 per annum (pro rata) commensurate to skills and experience.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring an understanding/experience in the following areas:

• Resource Management Act (RMA) regulatory process and an ability to communicate that process to non-RMA experienced people.
• Other relevant statutes including Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act, Wildlife Act and Conservation Act.
• Drafting submissions and evidence and presenting evidence at hearings, including environment court hearings.
• Working with internal and external stakeholders and managing relationships, including undertaking community consultation and engagement.
• Understanding of the transport sector and the role of the transport network is desirable
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to tailor communication styles appropriately to different audiences and situations.
• Tertiary qualification in planning or a related discipline (postgraduate is desirable).
• Full Membership (or working towards) of NZPI.

You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public sector.

Ko wai mātou | About us

The Poutiaki Taiao/Environmental Planning teamwork with and for Aotearoa to influence quality development, safe outcomes and protect public investment in the transport system. We are a national team and work in a collaborative and transparent way to achieve national consistency and regional impact in the resource management space.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

For further information, email: [email protected]

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.