Policy and plan development

Incite is highly experienced in developing plans and policies for natural environment and land use planning. We support every stage of the planning process, including:

reviewing existing plans and policies
drafting provisions and evaluation reports
preparing hearing reports
leading workshops with elected members
participating in mediation
providing advice on appeals
presenting expert evidence at council hearings and in the Environment Court

We can complete specific tasks within a wider project or manage large, complex planning processes. In either case, our focus is on practical, effective and robust solutions. Our consent processing experience also gives us a strong understanding of how plans affect end users and the long-term consequences of planning decisions. We're not just planners; we're mentors too. We enjoy assisting and empowering our clients to build their internal capability and confidence.

Regional policy and plans

Incite has extensive experience developing plans to manage the natural environment. Our work covers water quality and allocation, land use, coastal environments, and air quality.

We work with regional and unitary councils throughout New Zealand, including Auckland, Waikato, Gisborne, Taranaki, Tasman, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago and Southland. In addition to preparing plans, we regularly prepare evaluation reports and evidence, and appear at council and court hearings as expert witnesses.

Our recent work includes:

advising on and preparing freshwater plans and plan changes for regional councils in Waikato, Gisborne, Otago, Taranaki, Southland and Canterbury

developing the proposed Otago Regional Policy Statement 2021, leading a range of chapters (including fresh water, coast, and air) and managing related appeals in the High Court and Environment Court

developing the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan and seven subsequent plan changes for Environment Canterbury

District plans

Incite provides land-use planning services to councils across New Zealand. We prepare plan and plan changes, and process private plan change applications. Our experience covers residential, commercial, industrial and rural land use, as well as the management of indigenous biodiversity and landscapes.

Our recent work includes:

preparing and presenting hearing reports for the proposed Marlborough Environment Plan, Waimakariri District Plan and Timaru District Plan

providing planning policy support to Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council and Porirua City Council

appointment to the hearing panel for the Hutt City District Plan

Mentoring and professional development

Incite helps your team take the lead or play an active role in planning processes. We provide tailored support where additional capability or capacity is needed, including one-to-one mentoring, group training and peer review.

We also deliver in-house training to build your team’s plan-development skills. Our training for councils has covered policy analysis, evaluation reports, plan drafting and hearing reports, with personalised feedback for participants. Each session can be tailored to your team’s priorities, experience and current work programme.