Senior Consents Planner

About Us

Te Kaunihera a Takiwa o Waikato (Waikato District Council) serves a geographically expansive and diverse district, encompassing key towns such as Raglan, Huntly, Ngaaruawaahia, Tuakau, and Te Kauwhata, as well as smaller communities including Gordonton, Matangi, Tamahere, Meremere, Port Waikato, and Pookeno.

Our Head Office, located in Ngaaruawaahia, provides a modern and collaborative working environment. The open-plan hot-desking layout is complemented by dedicated co-lab spaces for meetings and focused work. Staff enjoy access to scenic river walks along the Waikato River and the nearby Hakarimata Ranges. On-site amenities include a cafeteria, free parking, and a strong organisational commitment to work-life balance.

At Waikato District Council, we are proud to foster a workplace culture grounded in trust and support. We prioritise the wellbeing of our people and strive to create an environment where dedication and contribution are genuinely recognised and valued.

About this role:

We are currently seeking a motivated and experienced Senior Planner to join our Land Use Consents Team (North). This is a fantastic opportunity to work on diverse and challenging projects that make a real difference. This role offers a broad and engaging scope of work, including the processing of land use and subdivision consent applications. You will be responsible for managing applications from initial assessment through to post-approval stages, which also includes conducting site visits across the district.

What I do?

• Assess a wide range of resource consent applications and provide expert planning advice in accordance with relevant legislation and best practice.
• Lead the assessment and management of increasingly complex land development projects.
• Collaborate with internal teams, developers, and stakeholders and contribute to sustainable development outcomes across the district which align with the Resource Management Act (RMA).
• Provide mentoring and technical support to other planners.
• Prepare and present reports for hearings and council committees.
• Represent Council in hearings, Environment Court proceedings, and mediation.

What I bring?

• Relevant tertiary qualification in planning or closely related discipline.
• Minimum five years of professional planning experience.
• Strong understanding of the Resource Management Act and the consenting process.
• Strong analytical, communication and report-writing skills.
• Current New Zealand driver's licence.
• A commitment to delivering excellent customer service and working collaboratively is essential.
• An understanding of te ao Maori and tikanga, and a willingness to further explore Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ture Whaimana.

Why Join Us?

At Waikato District Council, we champion flexible working arrangements, including remote work, because we believe outcomes matter more than hours spent at a desk. We also empower our people to work in ways that best serve our communities, hence we are looking for someone who lives our "Do It Right" values and shares our commitment to building Liveable, Thriving, and Connected Communities.

Additional Information

This full-time role (40 hours per week) is based in either Ngaauawaahia or Tuakau. Pre-employment screening will include alcohol and drug testing.

Apply Now

If you are ready to be part of a dynamic and supportive team, we encourage you to submit your application today.

Application closing date: Monday, 24 November 2025 at 11:55pm.

To apply for this job, please go online to www.joinourteam.co.nz and enter the job code 37546LGC.