Senior Environmental Planner - Consents

Tihei mauri ora!

Nau mai, haere mai, tahuti mai ki Heretaunga!

Heretaunga haukunui, Heretaunga ararau, Heretaunga haaro te kaahu, Heretaunga takoto noa!

Welcome to Heretaunga, the area renowned for its rich and fertile landscape that is sustained by its life-giving dews and waterways. Welcome to Heretaunga, whose beauty is observed by the sharp eye of the harrier hawk; a landscape rich in history and with an esteemed legacy of caring and providing for its inhabitants.

Taitara Mahi - Senior Environmental Planner (Consents)

Permanent Full-Time

The Hastings District is a large and diverse jurisdiction that offers a varied consent workload covering the full spectrum of urban, coastal and rural issues. In addition to this you’ll always have something to do and more time to do it! We enjoy a wonderful climate, great beaches, good educational facilities, plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities and world class food and wine.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Environmental Consents team as Senior Environmental Planner (Consents). As a senior member of the team, you’ll play a key role in delivering high-quality planning outcomes while supporting the growth and development of our district.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the processing of complex land use and subdivision consent applications
• Prepare reports and present to Hearings Commissioners and the Environment Court
• Provide expert planning advice across Council and to external stakeholders
• Mentor and support Environmental Planners to build capability and performance
• Assist with day-to-day team coordination and deputise for the Team Leader as required
• Contribute to projects that promote sustainable development across the district

This is a varied and impactful role where you’ll engage with developers, consultants, iwi partners and the wider community, helping shape the future of Heretaunga.

Ōu wheako – about you

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Planning, Resource Management, or a related field
• Eligibility for membership with the New Zealand Planning Institute
• Proven experience (ideally 5+ years) in resource management and consent processing
• Strong knowledge of the Resource Management Act and planning processes
• Experience preparing reports and presenting to decision-makers
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships
• A collaborative mindset and a passion for mentoring others
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities

You’ll also bring a positive, pragmatic approach, sound judgement, and a genuine commitment to delivering quality outcomes for communities. This is a senior-level role best suited to experienced planning professionals with a strong background in resource consents and complex planning matters — recent graduates and entry-level applicants are unlikely to meet the experience requirements.

Situated in the heart of Ngāti Kahungunu, the Hastings district and Hawke’s Bay offer an enjoyable environment in which to live, work and play. We are an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. Are you keen to be a part of our journey?

Applications close: Sunday 28 June

Please Note: Due to the highly competitive employment market, our vacancy close date may be subject to change if a suitable candidate is found, so don't delay in making your application.