Team Lead Environmental Planning

nztagovtnz; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Leadership development

Job summary

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is seeking a Team Lead Environmental Planning to lead a high‑performing team of environmental planning professionals. You will provide technical leadership, coaching and development while shaping planning and consenting outcomes across transport projects.

Based in Wellington with flexibility for other NZ locations, you will collaborate with project teams, iwi and authorities to deliver planning excellence across the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and development of high‑performing teams.
• Extensive experience in environmental/resource management planning or related processes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a high‑performing environmental planning team and provide technical leadership.
• Influence planning and consenting outcomes across a diverse transport portfolio.
• Collaborate with project teams, iwi, authorities and industry partners to deliver outcomes.

Skills

People leadership

Environmental planning experience

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Written and verbal communication

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Multiple positions available

Permanent, Full Time

Location flexibility: Preferably based in Wellington, with Palmerston North, Nelson, New Plymouth and Napier also considered. Technical Planning team roles are ideally based in Wellington, Auckland or Hamilton, although applications from other NZ locations are welcome

Are you an experienced leader who thrives on developing people, influencing outcomes, and delivering infrastructure that makes a difference for Aotearoa New Zealand? Do you have strong environmental planning experience?

At NZTA, we're delivering some of the country's most significant transport investments. As Team Lead Environmental Planning, you'll lead a team of specialist planners while helping shape the planning, consenting and environmental outcomes that enable New Zealand's transport network to evolve and grow. Based within our Infrastructure Development & Delivery group, you'll play a key role in supporting projects from early development through to delivery, ensuring planning excellence is embedded across the project lifecycle.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

This is a people leadership role where you'll build and lead a high-performing team of environmental planning professionals, providing technical leadership, coaching and development while influencing planning and consenting outcomes across a diverse portfolio of transport projects. You'll work closely with project teams, iwi, local authorities, government agencies and industry partners to support transport outcomes that create lasting value for New Zealand. You'll provide strategic leadership on environmental planning practice, navigate complex consenting and statutory planning challenges, and represent NZTA in regional and national forums. This is an opportunity to influence nationally significant infrastructure projects while helping shape the future of New Zealand's transport network.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

To be successful, you'll bring:

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams
• Extensive experience in environmental / resource management planning or related statutory processes
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
• Experience influencing complex programmes and delivering pragmatic outcomes
• Strategic thinking capability and the ability to work across competing priorities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of planning legislation, policy and transport-related decision-making processes
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.

About us

Infrastructure Development & Delivery is responsible for developing and delivering New Zealand's national land transport capital programme. We bring together the full project lifecycle, helping ensure transport investments are well defined, de-risked and successfully delivered for the benefit of New Zealanders.

What we offer

• Lead and grow a team of environmental planning professionals
• Influence nationally significant transport and infrastructure projects
• Flexible working and supportive leadership
• Ongoing professional and leadership development
• The opportunity to help shape New Zealand's future transport system

Our commitment to Māori

We're committed to actively working alongside Māori as Te Tiriti o Waitangi partners and creating an inclusive environment where Māori perspectives, aspirations and outcomes are valued. We encourage applicants who have knowledge of, or a willingness to build their understanding of, Te Ao Māori, tikanga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Rā Katinga | Applications close: 22 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.