Team Leader Development Planning

Taituarā; Canterbury; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Waimakariri District Council seeks an experienced Team Leader Development Planning to guide a broad range of planning activities, including private plan changes, Environment Court appeals, and the residential developer liaison programme.

You will lead, mentor and support planners, build strong relationships with developers, elected members, mana whenua and the wider community, and help shape growth outcomes for the district.

Qualifications

• Relevant planning, resource management or related qualification.
• Significant planning experience, ideally within local government or consulting.
• Experience in development planning, private plan changes, plan implementation or consenting.
• Strong relationship management and communication skills.
• The ability to lead people, influence outcomes and navigate complex planning issues with confidence.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across development planning activities including private plan changes.
• Manage Environment Court appeals and residential developer liaison programme.
• Lead, mentor and support planners.
• Build relationships with developers, elected members, mana whenua and stakeholders.
• Shape growth outcomes and support long-term planning objectives.

Skills

Planning qualification

Planning experience

Development planning

Relationship management

Leadership

Education

Planning qualification (relevant)

Job description

Help shapethe future of one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts

Waimakariri District is home to more than69,000 residents and continues to experience significant growth anddevelopment. Located just 30 minutes north of Christchurch, we offer theopportunity to make a real difference while enjoying an exceptional lifestyle.

The Opportunity

This is a newlycreated leadership role, established to strengthen our Development Planningcapability and support the increasing complexity of planning projects acrossthe District.

As Team Leader Development Planning, you will provide leadership across a broadrange of development planning activities, including private plan changes,Environment Court appeals, and Council's residential developer liaisonprogramme. You will play a key role in shaping growth outcomes, supportingquality development, and helping deliver the District's long-term planningobjectives.

Working alongside a highly capable team, you will lead, mentor and supportplanners while building strong relationships with developers, elected members,mana whenua, stakeholders and the wider community.

About You

You're an experienced planner who combines technical expertise withstrong leadership skills. You build trusted relationships, communicate withconfidence, and enjoy working through complex planning issues to achievepractical outcomes. Key skills include:

• Relevant planning, resourcemanagement or related qualification.
• Significant planningexperience, ideally within local government or consulting.
• Experience in developmentplanning, private plan changes, plan implementation or consenting.
• Strong relationship managementand communication skills.
• The ability to lead people,influence outcomes and navigate complex planning issues with confidence.

Why join Waimakariri DistrictCouncil?

• Shape development outcomesacross a rapidly growing district.
• Join a respectful, progressiveorganisation that values innovation.
• Work in a collaborativeenvironment with meaningful community impact.
• Enjoy the lifestyle benefits ofworking locally without a city commute.

Applications close on Sunday 13September 2026.

The Council is an equalopportunity employer.