Principal Land Use Planner

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders.

We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations — from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities.

Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.

About the Role

As a Principal Land Use Planner, you will act as the subject matter expert for land use planning and zoning across Health New Zealand's national property portfolio.

This is a highly influential role where you will ensure land is appropriately zoned and designated to enable the successful delivery of critical health infrastructure. You will lead complex planning activities including resource consents, designations, submissions, and environmental assessments, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements and alignment with strategic objectives.

You will represent Health NZ in planning processes with councils and external stakeholders, including contributing to hearings, plan changes, and major applications. In addition, you will provide expert advice across the full lifecycle of infrastructure projects, helping to remove planning barriers and enable efficient delivery.

About the Team/Service/Location

The IIG team are focused on delivering high impact infrastructure investments that support the transformation of New Zealand's health system.

Giving support, oversight and assurance across projects and programmes, the team understand that safe, fit for purpose health facilities, sites and equipment are essential for a well-functioning health system that improves the health of all New Zealanders.

About you

You are a highly experienced planning professional with strong expertise in resource management and land use planning within the New Zealand environment. A deep understanding of planning legislation, processes, and environmental considerations enables you to confidently navigate complex and often ambiguous situations.

Your approach combines sound judgement with strategic thinking, allowing you to provide clear, practical advice that supports effective decision-making. You're comfortable working across both strategic and operational levels, contributing to long-term planning direction while also delivering detailed technical work when needed.

You build trust quickly and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including councils, government agencies, consultants, and internal teams. Complex planning issues are communicated clearly and persuasively, whether through written reports, briefings, or formal processes.

You are proactive, adaptable, and solutions-focused, with a genuine interest in contributing to work that makes a difference for our communities.

You will bring:

• Extensive experience in resource management planning in New Zealand
• A relevant post-graduate qualification and eligibility for (or membership of) the New Zealand Planning Institute
• Strong expertise in planning legislation, processes, and environmental assessments
• Experience with designations, outline plans of works, and resource consent applications
• Demonstrated experience contributing to submissions, plan changes, and planning processes
• Experience representing organisations in hearings or formal planning processes
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to simplify complex information

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by 29th May 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Shannon Elder at shannon.elder@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert. 

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected employee will be given preference and priority for this position.