Lead Statutory Planner - Airport Infra

Principal Consultant; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) is seeking a Senior Planner to lead the statutory planning for a major infrastructure programme. Reporting to Head of Planning & Sustainability, you will own the consenting strategy, manage designations, and represent QAC in hearings and policy processes as planning evolves.

This standalone role places you at the heart of shaping how growth aligns with airport operations, with a focus on risk management, collaboration with external advisers, and guiding

Qualifications

• Eight to ten years in statutory planning, resource management, infrastructure or environmental planning.
• Advanced command of New Zealand resource management legislation.
• Experience delivering end-to-end consents and designations.
• Experience in hearings and mediation with councils.
• Ability to identify planning risk early and guide external advisers.

Responsibilities

• Set the consenting strategy across the infrastructure programme, choosing the statutory pathway for each project rather than reacting to it.
• Prepare and lodge resource consents, Notices of Requirement and outline plans, and hold QAC's designations.
• Represent QAC at hearings, mediation and expert conferencing, and in the Environment Court where required.
• Protect the airport's ability to operate as Queenstown develops around it, including the reverse sensitivity risk that noise creates.
• Lead QAC's submissions on new planning legislation, national planning standards and the district plan review.
• Form QAC's position on third party proposals that could affect airport operations or safeguarding Brief and direct external planning, legal and technical advisers, and hold them to their advice.
• Give project managers and the executive a clear read on planning risk early enough to act on it.

Skills

Statutory planning

Resource management

Infrastructure planning

Hearing mediation

Policy development

Team leadership

Education

Planning qualification

Job description

Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) is seeking a Senior Planner to lead the statutory planning for a major infrastructure programme. Reporting to Head of Planning & Sustainability, you will own the consenting strategy, manage designations, and represent QAC in hearings and policy processes as planning evolves.

This standalone role places you at the heart of shaping how growth aligns with airport operations, with a focus on risk management, collaboration with external advisers, and guiding