Intermediate Planner - Environmental Planning

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Wellington; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Life and income protection

Flexible working arrangements

Career development

Meaningful work for New Zealanders

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is seeking an Intermediate Planner to advance from planning to a more autonomous, influential role within our national Poutiaki Taiao / Environmental Planning team.

You will contribute to third party planning processes, support project and policy workstreams, and help shape high-quality planning outcomes across the organisation. This is a collaborative, development‑focused role with national reach.

Qualifications

• Experience applying statutory planning frameworks (RMA and related legislation).
• Ability to navigate district and regional plans and contribute to policy changes.
• Ability to provide clear, well-reasoned written advice with professional judgement.
• Strong relationship-building with external suppliers, councils, iwi, applicants and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for complex third party responses including plan changes and subdivision proposals.
• Support project teams with planning advice across the transport project lifecycle.
• Apply national consistency while responding to regional and local contexts.
• Work with senior planners and project managers to manage risk and support sound decisions.

Skills

Statutory planning

Complex assessments

Policy development

Written advice

Stakeholder relationships

Risk management

Te Tiriti understanding

Education

Planning qualification

NZPI membership

RMLA membership

Te Ao Māori knowledge

Job description

• Poutiaki Taiao / Environmental Planning Team
• Multiple roles available
• Can be based in any NZTA office location

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We are seeking Planners who are ready to take the next step in their planning career and progress into an Intermediate Planner role. This is an opportunity to broaden your scope, increase your level of responsibility, and further develop your technical, relational, and strategic planning capability within a supportive national team.

As an Intermediate Planner, you will continue to contribute to third party planning processes while taking on greater autonomy, complexity, and influence. You will also support project and policy workstreams and provide input that helps shape consistent, high quality planning outcomes across the organisation.

The Role Includes

• Taking responsibility for more complex third party responses, including plan changes, land use and subdivision proposals
• Supporting project teams with planning advice across the transport project lifecycle
• Applying national consistency while responding to regional and local planning contexts
• Working closely with senior and principal planners, and project managers to manage risk and support sound decision making

View the position description.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

Role

This role is suited to Planners who are demonstrating the ability to operate at an Intermediate level. In particular, you will already be showing strength in the following areas:

• Applying statutory planning frameworks with confidence, including the RMA and key related legislation and national directions
• Managing increased complexity, including taking assessments of more complex LUDs and third party FTAA responses
• Navigating district and regional plans and beginning to contribute to policy and plan change processes
• Providing clear, well reasoned written advice, with increasing professional judgement and autonomy
• Supporting project and policy workstreams, with a sound understanding of the planning role within the project process
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with external suppliers, councils, iwi, applicants, and internal stakeholders
• Identifying and escalating risk appropriately, balancing delivery with operational efficiency of the transport network
• Demonstrating professional maturity, including commitment to ongoing development, ethics, and Te Tiriti informed practice.

You Will Also Bring

• A tertiary qualification in planning or a related field
• NZPI and/or RMLA membership (or active progress toward membership)
• Knowledge of, or a commitment to strengthening your understanding of, Te Ao Māori, tikanga, Te Reo Māori, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a public sector context

Ko wai mātou | About us

The Poutiaki Taiao / Environmental Planning team is NZTA’s national centre of planning and resource management expertise. We work collaboratively to influence quality development, support safe and sustainable transport outcomes, and protect public investment.

We actively support internal development and progression, value knowledge sharing, and work in a way that balances national consistency with regional impact.

We Offer

• 5 weeks annual leave
• Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness insurance for permanent employees
• Flexible working arrangements
• A supportive environment where you can grow your career and capability
• The opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for New Zealanders

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

6 September 2026

For further information, email: [e-mail]

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.