Senior Policy Planner
Date: 31 Jul 2026
Location: Central Auckland, NZ, 1010
Company: Auckland Council
- Help shape environment policy and planning outcomes across Auckland’s central and southern isthmus
- Career defining opportunity to be part of the review of the Auckland Unitary Plan
- Hybrid role with flexible working and option to purchase an extra week of leave
- Salary range - $105,579 to $130, 000 per annum plus KiwiSaver contribution
He angitūtanga: The opportunity
The Planning and Resource Consents department shapes policy and planning outcomes across Auckland’s urban, rural, and coastal environments. With the government’s Planning and Natural Environment legislative reforms, and the forthcoming review of the Auckland Unitary Plan, there are both significant challenges and opportunities for these environment shaping responsibilities of policy planning in Auckland. To help meet this Auckland Council has three Senior Policy Planner positions available within the Central and South Planning Team.
As a Senior Policy Planner, you will:
- Provide high-quality planning advice to elected members, Mana Whenua, communities, and other internal and external stakeholders
- Support the forthcoming review of the Auckland Unitary Plan
- Work within and lead project teams implementing national direction, submitting on legislation, preparing council-initiated plan changes, processing private plan changes and notices of requirement
- Evaluate and monitor the Auckland Unitary Plan as part of full policy cycle planning
- Support the development of spatial plans by partnering with a range of internal and external stakeholders
He kōrero mōu: About you
This role will require a strong focus on continuous improvement and the ability to deal with complex planning issues. With a passion for policy, statutory and spatial planning we are looking for a senior planner who has:
- A degree qualification or higher and a significant level of experience in planning and resource management
- A robust understanding of the Resource Management Act and the Planning and Natural Environment legislative reforms
- Statutory planning background and prior experience r preparing and reporting on plan changes, plan reviews, and Notices of Requirement
- Strong relationship building skills, mentoring experience, customer service, and political acumen
- Understanding of financial and project management at a project level
- An appreciation of te ao Māori and experience with Auckland Council’s responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitang
- For a copy of the position description please click here
Auckland Council provides a flexible working environment together with a competitive remuneration package.
Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer
Auckland Council is one of the largest local authorities in the South Pacific providing essential services and facilities to more than 1.8 million people. We are progressive socially, culturally, and environmentally while we work towards creating change having an impact on our journey to becoming a world-class city for our ratepayers and residents.
Together, we can create a Tāmaki Makaurau we can all be proud of.
View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits HERE
Me Tono Ināianei!: Apply Now!
Applications close: Sunday 16 August at 11:59 pm
#WorkingForAuckland #Policy #PolicyPlanner #Plannerjobs
This role is deemed safety sensitive and in line with Auckland Council policy, you will be required to complete pre-employment drug and alcohol testing. A full driver's license is a requirement.
Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE), and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.