NGA PUKENGA ME NGA WHEAKO | SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

To be successful in this role you will have a background in either: strategic planning and associated planning disciplines, policy, resource management or statutory processes; and a familiarity with the workings of central or local government will be key. In addition, we’re keen to hear from candidates with the following skills and experience:

• A tertiary qualification in law, public policy or another relevant subject
• Experience in facilitating stakeholder planning for projects, derived from a breadth and depth of experience
• Proven experience building relationships and engaging others, as a trusted advisor
• Can anticipate and respond to changes in priorities, pressures and significant shifts in context, bringing people together to identify opportunities, manage risks and find solutions to problems
• Excellent writing and communication skills and able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including senior leaders
• Sound understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and experience in engaging with iwi, alongside a passion for Te Papa Atawhai’s Kaupapa and understanding of Maori Tikanga
• Experience working within government and the public sector
• Reputation as a capable, can-do, well organised and trusted professional.

MO TE TURANGA | ABOUT THE ROLE

Join Te Papa Atawhai DOC to help us protect Aotearoa New Zealand’s treasured conservation lands, waters and wildlife, and enable New Zealanders and international visitors to enjoy our special places.
As a Management Planner you will play a key role in running management processes, developing management plans and providing implementation and monitoring advice for the next phase of work at Piopiotahi Milford Sound. This is a complex programme that spans legislative change and implementation, stakeholder management and delivery, including introducing a new planning framework, access charging and a revised approach to concession management. The purpose of this role is to provide management planning expertise to deliver on the agreed objectives, outcomes and benefits of this meaningful programme of work.
This is a permanent position based in either Wellington or Queenstown (other locations in the southern South Island may be considered subject to space being available). You will work closely with a other planners and specialists in the programme group and across the Department.

The work will be diverse and include:

• Engaging with Ngai Tahu and Piopiotahi Milford Sound stakeholders in a collaborative process to prepare new plans, and enable implementation as soon as possible after legislative changes that are expected in 2026. In particular, this is likely to involve contributing to a new Area Plan and the development of thinking around Amenities Areas
• Producing effective management planning documents within agreed timeframes that reflect community expectations / aspirations and meet statutory and policy expectations
• Working to a consistent national approach to management planning
• Monitoring the implementation of planning documents and providing input for improvements
• Contributing to the development of operational policy
• Collaborating with programme peers, including supporting a fellow Management Planner, to ensure a results-driven culture and the delivery of high-quality conservation outcomes
• Building and maintaining influential relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including Treaty partners, ensuring DOC’s views are heard and progressing complex policy thinking.

To be successful in this role you will have a background in either: strategic planning and associated planning disciplines, policy, resource management or statutory processes; and a familiarity with the workings of central or local government will be key. In addition, we’re keen to hear from candidates with the following skills and experience:

• A tertiary qualification in law, public policy or another relevant subject
• Experience in facilitating stakeholder planning for projects, derived from a breadth and depth of experience
• Proven experience building relationships and engaging others, as a trusted advisor
• Can anticipate and respond to changes in priorities, pressures and significant shifts in context, bringing people together to identify opportunities, manage risks and find solutions to problems
• Excellent writing and communication skills and able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including senior leaders
• Sound understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and experience in engaging with iwi, alongside a passion for Te Papa Atawhai’s Kaupapa and understanding of Maori Tikanga
• Experience working within government and the public sector
• Reputation as a capable, can-do, well organised and trusted professional