PLANZ CONSULTANTS - Key Persons
Dean is a director at Planz Consultants and has over 30 years planning experience and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the New Zealand Planning Institute in 2013. He has an excellent understanding and knowledge of the local Government environment, having previously worked at a variety of different local authorities.
Dean has been involved in a variety of strategic projects including the preparation of statutory plans and planning reports, policy documents, design reports, research studies, the presentation of evidence before Councils and the Environment Court. His skills include workshop presentations, plan preparation, project management, feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, the preparation and presentation of evidence and working with business and community groups on local initiatives.
Dean acts as a Commissioner and has undertaken appointments for a number of Councils through the Country including Horowhenua, Hurunui, Tararua, Tasman, Timaru, Waimakariri, Waitaki and Selwyn District Councils and Canterbury and Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Councils.
Helen has over 14 years planning experience in both New Zealand and the UK. Prior to working at Planz, Helen was employed at Christchurch City Council as a Senior Resource Consent Planner for over 10 years.
Helen has experience in processing and preparing a wide variety of resource consent applications, including working closely with Kāinga Ora on many of their residential developments, as well as a range of other residential developments. She has also processed applications for new and extensions to quarries. Her other experience includes commercial, industrial and mixed use developments. She is experienced in preparing and presenting planning evidence at Council hearings.
Justine has over 20 years' experience in resource management planning. Justine left her position as Senior Regulatory Planner at the Selwyn District Council to join Planit in 2001, and was appointed as a Director in 2008. She specialises in policy and plan development, with the last few years primarily being spent in a lead role with the Selwyn District Plan Review.
Justine has been involved in a wide range of other planning projects, including land use and regional consenting for subdivision and development in rural areas, particularly those in sensitive locations; submissions on both regional and local authority plan changes; and the preparation and processing of notice of requirements, and applications for water takes, discharges to air, educational and visitor facilities, and signage. She is also an experienced Hearings Commissioner having acted for a number of local authorities including Christchurch City, Hurunui, Waimakariri and Selwyn District Councils.
Justine was project manager for the work Planit undertook in conjunction with the Selwyn District Council on Plan Change 7, which won the 2012 Best Practice Award: District and Regional Planning and also the Nancy Northcroft Planning Practice Award - the NZPI's supreme award for excellence in planning practice.
Marissa joined Planz in January 2023 after graduating from Otago University with a Master's in planning. Her studies provided her with knowledge of resource management, transportation policies, impact assessments, and planning practices and principles.
Marissa undertook an internship at Aukaha, the organisation that serves as the consultation body representing the southern rūnaka of Ngāi Tahu. During the internship she was involved in cultural assessments, resource consents, and hearing evidence.
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Development Manager
Susannah has 15 years' experience as a consultant planner working for private and public sector clients in New Zealand and Australia on a range of infrastructure, manufacturing, commercial and residential projects. Susannah works with clients from project conception to project completion, and also often throughout a development's operational life. Susannah has extensive experience preparing project feasibility studies, resource consent applications, submissions on statutory documents, and evidence for presentation at council hearings. Susannah enjoys working closely with clients and project teams and has an excellent ability to identify project risks and opportunities and how this may impact project design, timeframes and budgets. She has excellent community consultation and engagement skills and capabilities, including strategic and collaborative problem solving.
Terri started her career in Urban Planning in 2019 and joined Planz in April 2023, bringing with her valuable experience and knowledge. She holds a Master's degree in Resource and Environmental Planning from Massey University and has prior experience in commercial development and real estate, which has helped her excel in her current role.
During her time in the industry, Terri has worked on a diverse range of projects for both private and public clients, including subdivision consents, land use consents, variations, coastal permits, takes, and discharges throughout New Zealand. Her passion for urban design has led her to pursue a Master's degree in Urban Design at the University of Auckland.
Terri's collaborative, direct, and outcome-focused approach to client and council relationships is highly valued by her colleagues and clients. She is proactive and ensures clear communication throughout the projects she works on.
Additionally, Terri has a strong interest in the Māori language and culture and is studying towards a New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Terri is an Intermediate Member of the NZPI.