As we round out 2022 NZPI / Te Kōkiringa Taumata are delighted to welcome two new NZPI Supporters; The Planning Collective and Colab Planning. Here’s an introduction to our latest supporters.

Who are The Planning Collective?

The Planning Collective are a group of experienced planners, based just north of Auckland with offices in Silverdale and Warkworth. Led by recent recipient of our NZPI Distinguished Service Award Burnette O’Connor (who previously ran OPC Planning Consultancy since 2001), and her colleague Diana Bell The Planning Collective are a group of planners undertaking a variety of land development (land use and subdivision), coastal, resource consent and policy work.

The firm was established to bring together like minded planners. They describe themselves as a tight knit team of different experts, with tried and tested variations to get to a positive solution. They work with a collective aspect, bringing in expertise in geology, ecology, urban design, traffic management and soil engineers to name a few.

Much of their work has been focused on areas to the north of Auckland and up into Te Tai Tokerau. Burnette has over 26 years of experience in all areas of planning and is an Independent Hearings Commissioner and Chair and has been appointed as a Commissioner for Kaipara and Whangarei District Councils having sat on hearings for private plan changes as well as resource consents, subdivision and land use.

The Planning Collective contributes to the planning community through youth and graduate planner mentoring and they connect with local Mahurangi College to improve the visibility of planning as a career option. These actions carry through to their own firm. Planning Assistant Holly Tutill began studies in geography, only to be convinced by Burnette to change course. She’s currently working toward a Bachelor of Resource & Environmental Planning at Massey University.

Why Become a Supporter

The Planning Collective has been operating since 2019 and it’s taken time to bed in, especially through Covid. Now they’re in a position to ‘promote the profession of planning’. Burnette believes we’ve lost a lot of high-level professionals over the past decade, and with that a professional benchmark to aspire to. The team at The Planning Collective want to give back and to elevate the role of the planner. “Planners shape communities and the environment and that’s a special thing to be charged with.”

Who are CoLab Planning

CoLab Planning are a collective of resource management planners based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Offering a range of services from resource consent preparation, policy and plan making, training, and professional services to local government, CoLab Planning came together as an initiative from Daniel Kinnoch who wanted to bring together planning professionals with similar experience into one shared space. Daniel’s background includes work in both Australia and New Zealand, with significant experience working in Auckland’s City Centre, including the downtown area and its precincts. His colleague Andrew Miller has worked extensively in Waiheke and with the Hauraki Gulf Islands Plan. The other members of the team, Kathleen Hudson and Sandy Hsiao, have worked in Whangarei and in Auckland. They have experience working on complex consents and plan changes, both in the public and private sector.

CoLab Planning offers training and resource development to other planning organisations, something that Daniel considers is lacking as a service offered by other New Zealand Planning firms. Technology is also an important tool in delivering their collaborative working model.

Why Become a Supporter

Daniel’s role as a principal planner at Auckland Council saw him lead a number of in-house training programmes. He and his colleagues believe that “giving back” to the profession shouldn’t stop at the public sector. With significant resource management reforms underway, the team at CoLab believe that now is the time to get aligned with the professional institute, and work collectively to give back to the profession.

NZPI Supporter Initiative Programme

The programme has been designed to forge stronger links between employers of planners and the Institute. Its supporters encourage all planners within their organisations to become and retain membership of the institute. This can occur in a number of ways including financial incentives, training and encouraging involvement in CPD activities. Supporters are also encouraged to explore opportunities for their organisation to assist the NZPI and its members, for example by offering to create CPD courses or workshops and encouraging members to participate in their local NZPI branch.

We’re grateful to have The Planning Collective and CoLab join us with their support. If members or their companies are interested in becoming a Supporter, please click here to read more.