Team Lead Environmental Planning

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency in Wellington (with flexible NZ locations) is seeking a Team Lead Environmental Planning to guide a high-performing team through the planning and consenting lifecycle. You will provide strategic leadership, coaching and development, ensuring planning excellence across projects and engaging iwi, local authorities and partners.

You’ll influence environmental planning practice, navigate statutory processes, and represent NZTA in regional and national forums,

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Extensive experience in environmental/resource management planning or statutory processes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Experience influencing complex programmes and delivering pragmatic outcomes.
• Strategic thinking with ability to work across competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; knowledge of planning legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing environmental planning team.
• Provide strategic leadership on environmental planning across projects and lifecycles.
• Collaborate with project teams, iwi, local authorities and government agencies.
• Navigate planning and consenting challenges and build pragmatic outcomes.
• Represent NZTA in regional and national forums and stakeholder meetings.
• Influence planning practice to deliver enduring transport outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Environmental planning experience

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.

About you

• 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. At NZTA, you'll join an organisation committed to delivering transport networks that improve how people move and connect. We foster a culture where people are empowered to lead, collaborate and make a meaningful impact for New Zealand.

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.

Ready to make a difference? If you're passionate about leading people, influencing environmental outcomes and contributing to projects that will shape New Zealand for generations to come, we'd love to hear from you.

Applications close: 22 September 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.

Ko wai mātou | 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.