Principal / Senior Transport Planner

New Zealand Transport Agency; Blenheim; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Life, Income Protection and Critical-?

Flexible working arrangements

Career development

Job summary

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency invites a senior transport planning specialist to lead planning initiatives across the Marlborough region. You’ll advise on development proposals, engage with councils, developers and stakeholders, and help shape a Regional Land Transport Plan for long-term growth.

Based in Blenheim, this full-time role emphasizes collaboration, influential leadership and strategic transport planning.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in transport planning-focused roles.
• Good understanding of integrated transport systems.
• Experience working with partners and stakeholders to shape strategic priorities.
• Strong analytical, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience working across planning, infrastructure, development or transport systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading transport planning initiatives across the Marlborough region.
• Providing transport advice on resource consents and development proposals.
• Representing Marlborough Roads at transport forums, hearings and community engagement activities.
• Building strong relationships with councils, developers and industry stakeholders.
• Supporting long-term transport planning and regional strategy development.
• Leading development of the Regional Land Transport Plan.

Skills

Transport planning

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Written & verbal communication

Influencing

Planning & strategy

Education

Tertiary qualification in Transport Planning or Engineering

Job description

Lead transport planning across the Marlborough region

Covering local roads and state highways - help shape an entire regional transport network Principal or Senior level Based in Blenheim, full-time position.

The opportunity

This is a senior specialist role where you'll provide transport planning advice across land use development, resource consents, regional transport planning and strategic transport initiatives. You'll work closely with council teams, developers, stakeholders and elected members to influence transport outcomes that support the region's future growth. You’ll work at the intersection of transport, planning, community outcomes and political decision-making, helping ensure development across the region aligns with the transport objectives of the Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan. This is a varied role and no two days are the same. One day you could be providing transport advice on a major development proposal, and the next representing Marlborough Roads at a public engagement event, supporting a hearing process, or helping shape long-term transport planning for Blenheim and communities across the region.

What you’ll be responsible for

• Leading transport planning initiatives across the Marlborough region
• Providing transport advice on resource consents and development proposals
• Representing Marlborough Roads at transport forums, hearings and community engagement activities
• Building strong relationships with councils, developers and industry stakeholders
• Supporting long-term transport planning and regional strategy development
• Leading development of the Regional Land Transport Plan

About you

Please note: Candidates with sound transport planning experience but who may not meet every aspect of the Principal level profile are encouraged to apply. If your skills and experience align more closely to a Senior-level position, we may also consider appointment at that level. Ideally you will have:

• Extensive experience in transport planning-focused roles
• Good understanding of integrated transport systems
• Experience working with partners and stakeholders to shape strategic priorities
• Strong analytical, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience working across planning, infrastructure, development or transport systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A tertiary qualification in Transport Planning, Engineering or a related discipline
• You’ll also demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to build your understanding of, Te Ao Māori, tikanga, te reo Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it applies in the public sector

About us

The Marlborough Roads team is responsible for the integrated management of both state highways and local roads, working collaboratively to plan, deliver and maintain a safe, resilient and customer-focused transport network. Through planning, effective programme development, strong stakeholder relationships and consistent operational delivery, the team helps ensure transport services and infrastructure meet community expectations, achieve value for money and support long-term regional outcomes on behalf of NZTA and Marlborough District Council.

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

Applications close: 14 October 2026

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.

About us

At Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, it all starts with our people. The organisation's performance and success depends on the people who choose to make this a great place to work and make a difference for Aotearoa. Waka Kotahi has a strong future focus, understanding that new technologies and changing customer expectations mean the transport system we know today will not be the one we deliver in ten years time.