Explore careers

Useful experience for urban/regional planners includes:

• work as a planning assistant for councils or consultant firms
• work on a building site
• draughting or research work
• volunteer work for community or environmental groups, or organisations such as the Department of Conservation.

Urban/regional planners may do some or all of the following:

• plan and design buildings, streets, subdivisions, parks, reserves or sports facilities
• prepare plans up to 20 years ahead
• examine how areas are developing and the effect of proposed developments
• collect and analyse economic, social and environmental data
• manage projects, including communications strategies
• write and present reports on behalf of councils, companies, applicants and submitters at resource consent, environmental, and other hearings.

Strong demand for urban/regional planners

Chances of getting work as an urban/regional planner are good due to strong demand for workers. One reason for this is the high level of population growth in New Zealand's main centres. Opportunities for employment are greater in Auckland than in the rest of New Zealand.

According to a New Zealand Planning Institute Survey, 52% of employers who responded reported difficulties in filling vacancies for urban/regional planners.

According to the Census, 3,012 urban/regional planners worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Useful to build planning experience while studying

Building up experience while you study can increase your chances of getting planning work once you graduate. Doing work experience or internships also helps you meet people in the planning industry.

Types of employers varied

Urban/regional planners may work for:

• local authorities such as city and district councils
• government departments
• private consulting firms
• universities.

New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI)

(09) 520 6277 - admin@planning.org.nz - planning.org.nz

Urban/regional planners can progress by moving into senior or managerial positions.

They may also specialise in an area such as:

Catchment Management Planner

Catchment management planners advise on the use and development of natural resources, such as fishing quotas, water management, and other environmental activities.

Policy Analyst (Planner)

Policy analysts gather and analyse information to assist in the planning, development and interpretation of rules and regulations.

Recreation Planner

Recreation planners plan and design recreational facilities such as parks, reserves, swimming facilities and cemeteries.

Resource Consent Planner

Resource consent planners process applications for resource consents and take part in resource consent hearings.

Urban Designer

Urban designers advise councils, developers and government on land zoning, and how to best use urban spaces.

Urban/regional planners need to be:

• able to relate to a wide range of people
• strong communicators
• good at risk analysis
• able to handle conflict
• open-minded
• persuasive.