Senior Planner

Christchurch - New Zealand

Yearly Salary: $ 109408 - 133720

Posted on: 6 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

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. Youll 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 $109408 - $133720 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:

24 February 2026

For further information email:

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.

Required Experience:

Senior IC

Apply your technical knowledge across the planning spectrumFixed-term position until January 2027Flexibility to be located at any of our NZTA officesTe Whiwhinga mahi The opportunityOur Poutiaki Taiao Environmental Planning team is the primary home of resource management planning expertise for NZ T...

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