Skip to main content

Page loading completed.

Principal Consents Planner

28/09/2025
12/10/2025
Permanent | Full Time
Christchurch, New Zealand
Environmental Services
  • Technical leadership role shaping the future of resource management
  • Coach & develop technical capability of others  
  •  Permanent | Full-time | Central city location

 

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

As the regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water, and land. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to safeguard the health of our environment and ensure a sustainable, prosperous future for our region.

Our region’s environmental and political landscape is constantly evolving. We remain agile and adaptive, responding to regulatory and environmental changes as they arise. Our mahi (work) is focused on delivering three core services:

  • Environmental Regulation and Protection
  • Community Preparedness and Hazard Response
  • Public Transport

 

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

The Principal Consents Planner plays a critical role, providing technical and planning expertise and leadership within the Consents Section. You’ll support the development of team members by mentoring and coaching to build the capability of technical expertise across the Consents section, whilst remaining in a hands-on capacity.   

You’ll have a working understanding of Māori Rights in the Resource Management Framework and a sound understanding/previous training in Te Tiritī o Waitangi and the obligations and requirements of local government to Te Tiriti. 
More about the role:   

  • Make legally defensible decisions on applications for resource consent 
  • Train consent planners/team members on the delivery of best consenting outcomes 
  • Support the development of resource management plans 
  • Processing of complex or Fast Track consents 
  • Providing pre application advice
  • Assessing applications against the RMA & FTAA 

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

 

Mōu │ About You

You’ll be a strong communicator, someone that connects easily with the community, customers, members of your team, and key stakeholders.  You’ll be a natural collaborator drawing people together and building trust as you guide and mentor.  

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

Ideally, you’ll be tertiary qualified in, Planning, Natural Resources, Environmental Management, or other relevant discipline, and enjoy leading and developing others.

  • Minimum of 10 years experience in a planning/resource management field 
  • Working understanding of Māori Rights in the Resource Management Framework 
  • Evidence of policy-making or decision-making with Rūnanga, Iwi, hapū, whānau 
  • An understanding of Māori from a pre and post-settlement context 
  • Extensive knowledge and experience working in relevant legislation relating to Local Government and the Resource Management Act or its replacement  
  • Environment Court experience is highly desirable  
  • Navigate and pivot to enable positive environmental outcomes   
  • Experience linking people, work, and processes  
  • Coaching, developing, and growing the capability of others  
  • Strong decision-making and analytical ability  

 

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury  

Our mahi is underpinned by our values:

  • Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
  • Pononga (integrity)
  • Manaakitanga (people first)
  • Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
  • Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills. 

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey

 

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

Applications close on Sunday, 12 October. Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date. We reserve the right to close advertising early.  

Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. 

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can

Job Description

Remember Job