Consents and Environmental Planner (or Senior)
The role
Horizons Regional Council is seeking an experienced Consents and Environmental Planner (or Senior) to join our Catchment Operations Group. This is a full-time, permanent position based in Kairanga.
This is an opportunity to work on projects that protect communities, enhance environmental outcomes and support the sustainable management of our region's natural resources. Whether you're an experienced environmental planner ready to step into a broader leadership role or an established professional looking to influence major infrastructure projects, you'll play a key role in delivering practical, solutions-focused outcomes.
About the role
Reporting to the Team Leader Environmental and Regulatory, you'll provide expert environmental planning, resource consenting and regulatory advice across a diverse portfolio of operational and capital projects.
Working alongside engineers, scientists, operational teams, iwi and hapū, consultants, contractors, local authorities and government agencies, you'll help deliver projects that balance community resilience with environmental best practice.
Depending on your experience, you'll also provide strategic leadership, mentor colleagues and influence environmental planning and consenting approaches across Catchment Operations.
What you'll be doing:
- Coordinate resource consent applications and regulatory approvals.
- Develop consenting strategies for flood protection, river management and other infrastructure projects.
- Provide advice on environmental legislation, planning frameworks and regulatory compliance.
- Support project teams from planning through to delivery, ensuring robust environmental outcomes.
- Represent Council in hearings, mediations and, where required, Environment Court proceedings.
- Contribute to environmental compliance, auditing and assurance programmes.
- Build trusted relationships with iwi and hapū, stakeholders, consultants and regulatory agencies.
- Mentor and support environmental professionals, sharing knowledge and promoting continuous improvement.
- Contribute to regional and national policy development where appropriate.
- Champion best-practice environmental management across Catchment Operations.
If you're passionate about protecting communities, delivering sustainable infrastructure and helping shape the future of environmental management in our region, we'd love to hear from you.
Why join us?
When you join us, you can look forward to a rewarding career full of opportunities to develop a positive and supportive work environment. We do this through:
- Positive focus on employee health, wellness and wellbeing initiatives across the organisation including your birthday off, wellness day, life insurance for all permanent staff and 5 weeks leave after 2 years of service.
- Flexible family friendly work environment.
- Ongoing development and opportunities across the organisation to grow, specialise or diversify your skills.
- Working together for a better environment across our region.
- A supportive and social work environment across the organisation.
About you
You'll be an experienced environmental planning professional who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing positive environmental outcomes and supporting others to succeed.
You'll bring:
- A degree in Planning, Environmental Management or a related discipline.
- At least three years' experience in environmental planning, resource consenting or regulatory management.
- Strong knowledge of the Resource Management Act and associated legislation.
- Experience preparing consent applications and managing statutory processes.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
- Strong written communication, including technical reporting and policy advice.
- A collaborative approach and commitment to continuous improvement.
Experience appearing at hearings or the Environment Court, working within regional government, or supporting major infrastructure projects will be highly regarded.
About us
The Horizons region extends over 22,200km2 – from Ruapehu in the north and Horowhenua in the south, to Whanganui in the west and Tararua in the east. We work with and for our community in the use and protection of our environment, managing our precious resources of land, air and water; as well as public transport and a key role in emergency management. At Horizons Regional Council we work to make our region a healthy environment where people are thriving, including our staff.
Horizons are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to ensuring we have a diverse and inclusive workplace, so our people reflect the diversity of our region.
Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 16 August 2026.
Applications for this role will take you to the advertisers site.
