Principal Transport Planner

• Lead and provide comprehensive transport technical reviews of complex development proposals across Tāmaki Makaurau, covering all modes and transport system users including reviews of street design; capacity assessment/trip generation; existing environment context and local knowledge.  

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal business units, stakeholders and customers. 

• Provide quality assurance and technical leadership/ coaching and mentoring of less experienced staff.   

• Bring your Transport Planning/Engineering and Resource Management expertise to decisions that help influence the transport network. 

• Use your technical expertise to influence safer, well-integrated development outcomes and make a positive impact for Auckland communities. 

He angitūtanga: The opportunity 
 

Auckland Council has an opportunity for a Principal Transport Planner to join our Development Planning team within the Transport and Infrastructure Directorate. Our Development Planning team provides and manages specialist technical transport advice into the review of development proposals that shape land use change and growth in Auckland. This is a senior technical role at the heart of transport input into the resource consent process. You will lead the review of complex development proposals, providing high-quality transport advice including, but not limited to, street design, trip generation, network capacity and the needs of all transport system users. As a Principal Transport Planner, you will take ownership of leading and reviewing complex technical matters, provide quality assurance and support the development of less experienced colleagues through coaching and mentoring.  

You could expect to: 

• Provide comprehensive transport reviews of complex resource consent applications and pre-applications, including a review of complex development proposals covering all modes and transport system.  

• Review Integrated Transport Assessments, Traffic/transport reports, and engineering plans, identifying risks and providing technical advice on proposals where required 

• Provide technical specialist advice across street design, parking, network capacity, trip generation and transport outcomes for all modes. 

• Apply the RMA, Auckland Unitary Plan provisions and current transport engineering standards to support robust regulatory decisions. 

• Provide technical leadership, quality assurance, coaching and mentoring, while contributing to process and continuous improvement initiatives 

• Liaise with various stakeholders and industry professionals, both internal and external. 

He kōrero mōu: About you 

You will be a highly experienced transport professional who can confidently assess and review complex development proposals and exercise sound technical judgement. You will be confident reviewing highly complex and detailed technical transport reports/assessments, providing high-quality transport reviews/advice, whilst managing competing deadlines. You will be comfortable and confident in managing and negotiating views with various technical specialists, communicating your advice both verbally and written to a high standard. You will be able to work both independently and within a team and share your knowledge to strengthen capability and provide mentorship across the team. 

We will be looking for: 

• A degree in Transport Engineering, Transport Planning or a similar discipline is required. 

• Significant Transport Engineering or Transport Planning experience in a relevant role, including land development. 

• Strong knowledge of the RMA and Auckland Unitary Plan, with experience reviewing or preparing complex development applications. 

• Experience preparing or reviewing Integrated Transport Assessments. 

• Experience in working across multiple disciplines, understanding multiple professional points of view and negotiating an agreed way forward. 

• Strong technical experience in and understanding of the user requirements across the full range of transport modes and activities. 

• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to clearly communicate sound technical advice. 

• Strong time-management and decision-making skills, with the ability to work independently, identify risk early and manage firm deadlines. 

• Experience in a government or regulatory environment would be valuable. 

We still encourage you to apply if you have some but not all these requirements. 
 

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer 

Auckland Council is the largest local government council across Oceania, serving more than 1.7 million people and contributing towards making Tāmaki Makaurau a world-class city. 

This is an opportunity to bring your experience into a varied and influential technical role. You will work across a wide range of complex development proposals, help improve processes and initiatives, and use your expertise to positively influence transport and development outcomes for Auckland communities. 

We offer a range of employee benefits and support flexible working options where possible. 

Help us make a difference to Tāmaki Makaurau.  

Me Tono Ināianei!: Apply Now! 

Applications close: 11th of November 2026 

If you have any support or access requirements, please advise us when submitting your application so we can assist you. Any offer will be subject to the pre-employment checks required for this role. 

This role has a remuneration range of $130,005 – $144,450