Principal Planner

Job No: 157894
Location: Whanganui

  • Are you an experienced planner looking to join a progressive district council?
  • Excellent opportunity to oversee the long term planning process for this picturesque area of the North Island!
  • Attractive salary of $93,177 - $109,620 and benefits on offer.

Whanganui District Council provides services for the approximately 48,000 residents of the Whanganui District area, located on the southwest coast of the North Island of New Zealand. They are committed to protecting and preserving their exceptional heritage and beautiful environment whilst working with the community to drive significant social and economic growth.

We are looking for a suitably qualified planner to join our tight-knit, welcoming team in our Whanganui Offices. This critical role will see successful candidates turn ideas into proposals and then be responsible for implementing those proposals.

Our designs for you

In addition to the chance to join a passionate, vibrant workplace in this picturesque part of the North Island, you will receive an attractive salary of $93,177 - $109,620 (dependent on experience and qualifications). In addition, you will enjoy the following benefits:

  • Ongoing training and development, including funded external training;
  • Mentoring and coaching from senior staff;
  • Flexible work arrangements; 
  • Autonomy in your role; and
  • Opportunity to be part of the Emergency Management response team.

Additionally, you will enjoy the great lifestyle Whanganui offers with a vibrant arts and cultural scene and access to fantastic outdoor recreational activities with mountains, national parks, rivers and the sea all at your doorstep.

What you will help to develop

Leading a small team of planners, Geographic Information System and Administration staff, the Principal Planner, will oversee the process of planning the future development of the Whanganui district. The role also requires the successful candidate to lead the preservation of essential and productive areas within the district. The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

  • Undertaking Long Term and Annual Planning and Amendment Process
  • Overseeing the Hearing and Commissioner systems, including the preparation of hearing reports
  • Preparation and presentation of District Plans and reports on the planning processes for key stakeholders

What you will bring to the role

With a tertiary qualification in planning or a similar discipline, you will ideally have completed a post-graduate qualification. Additionally, you will bring strong demonstrated experience with the district planning process and preferably membership of the New Zealand Planning Institute or an international equivalent.

Creative with the ability to develop unique solutions to complex problems, you will be proactive in your approach to the planning process, ensuring accountability for the outcomes achieved. Your strong knowledge of the Commissioner System and the Treaty of Waitangi will enable you to effectively apply both to the District Council's benefit.

Combining strong leadership and team-building skills with exceptional communication skills will enable you to direct your small, hard-working team in preparing and presenting reports for hearings and stakeholders.

You will adopt the Whanganui District Council's purpose; Sustaining, Supporting, Preserving and Protecting when undertaking the responsibilities of the role.

If this sounds like an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of Whanganui District Council, click Apply Now.

Apply Now

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Questions

Our District

Whanganui District is located on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand.

Our district is bounded by the Ruapehu District to the north, the Rangitikei District in the east, the Tasman Sea in the south, and the South Taranaki and Stratford District in the west.

The Whanganui River is New Zealand's longest navigable river, stretching for 290km from the slopes of Mount Tongariro to the Tasman Sea.

The Whanganui River Road runs through the Whanganui District which includes the small river settlements of Matahiwi, Ranana, Jerusalem and Pipiriki.

Most of Whanganui's population (48,000 and growing) lives in the central urban area at the mouth of the Whanganui River, but there are also rural communities spread around our district.