Principal Planning Consultant

About the Role

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Principal Planning Consultant to join its Environment and Society team in Aotearoa New Zealand. The role can be based in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, or Christchurch and sits within a purpose-led planning group focused on resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities.

This position is a permanent, full-time opportunity in which you will help shape planning outcomes for infrastructure and environmental projects across New Zealand. You will work across local markets such as water, transport, energy, and the built environment, supporting work ranging from smaller local initiatives to major multidisciplinary developments.

What the Role Involves

In this senior position, you will guide clients through statutory and consenting processes, provide strategic planning advice, and contribute to projects that support long-term community and environmental wellbeing. The role also includes supporting and mentoring developing planners, strengthening client relationships, and helping deliver sustainable outcomes.

Key Duties

• Advise clients on planning and statutory approval pathways.
• Support the delivery of strategic planning solutions for infrastructure and environmental projects.
• Lead or contribute to consenting work for large-scale developments.
• Mentor and assist emerging planners within the team.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and internal colleagues.
• Work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and market sectors.
• Contribute to outcomes that improve resilience, sustainability, and community wellbeing.

Experience and Background Needed

The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in infrastructure and environmental planning, along with a solid grasp of New Zealand’s planning framework, particularly the Resource Management Act. You should bring extensive consulting experience and the confidence to lead complex projects.

Requirements

• A qualification in planning or resource management.
• At least 12 years of experience in planning or resource management.
• Strong working knowledge of the Resource Management Act.
• Background in a multidisciplinary consultancy setting.
• Proven experience leading consenting for major infrastructure projects.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills.
• A collaborative, relationship-oriented approach.
• NZPI full membership is preferred.
• Experience as an expert witness or in hearings is preferred.

What the Employer Offers

• A supportive and considerate workplace culture.
• Opportunities to develop professionally and progress your career.
• Exposure to global expertise and innovative project work.
• A competitive salary.
• Discretionary group and individual performance bonuses for eligible employees.
• A strong focus on wellbeing and work-life balance.

Additional Information

The organisation values equality, diversity, and inclusion, and aims to provide fair employment practices and equal opportunity for all. It also supports an agile working approach, giving managers and employees flexibility to decide how work can be arranged to best meet client, team, and personal commitments. The job is based in Auckland Central, New Zealand. The contract is permanent, the work pattern is full time, and the role sits within the Environment and Society market and the Environment discipline. Job reference: 10512. Recruiter contact: Matt McKenzie.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This role is a chance to contribute to planning work that supports climate resilience, regenerative outcomes, and stronger communities across New Zealand. If you want to help shape a better future through meaningful infrastructure and environmental planning, this position offers a significant platform to do so.