Toitū te whenua, toitū te moana, toitū te tangata. If the land is well, if the sea is well, the people will thrive.    

Te āheinga / The opportunity

Step into a rare opportunity to shape the future of resource management across Northland. The four Northland councils, Whangārei District, Kaipara District, Far North District, and Northland Regional Council are coming together to deliver a region-wide Resource Management Reform Programme in response to the Government’s new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act 1991. You will be joining a highly collaborative, forward-thinking group of professionals who are already working effectively across council boundaries, proactively establishing a strong programme structure and joint committee governance to lead this reform. As Programme Manager, you will play a pivotal leadership role at the forefront of this transformation, guiding the region’s transition to a new, integrated planning framework and ensuring Northland is ready for what comes next.

In this full-time,  2 year fixed-term role, employed by Northland Regional Council but reporting to a Steering Group of General Manager’s across councils, you will lead the establishment and delivery of a complex, multi-council programme, bringing together diverse workstreams, aligning priorities, and driving coordinated readiness across all four councils. You will operate at a strategic level to provide clear direction, robust programme oversight, and trusted advice that supports high-quality decision making and advice to the Joint Committee. Your ability to bring together technical staff across all 4 councils will be critical to the success of this programme. This role offers the chance to work in a collaborative, high-impact environment where relationships are as important as results. You will build strong connections across councils and with central government, while supporting approaches that reflect Te Tiriti o Waitangi and enable meaningful tangata whenua involvement. Leading a dedicated programme function and drawing on specialist expertise, you will help position Northland to successfully navigate a shift in how natural and built environments are planned and managed. 

He kōrero mōu / About you

The successful candidate will bring proven experience leading complex, multi‑stakeholder programmes, supported by a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent senior expertise in programme management, planning, policy, or public sector reform. You’ll have a strong understanding of local government and regulatory systems, and the confidence to work closely with governance groups and senior executives, delivering clear, high-quality advice and reporting. Your ability to navigate ambiguity, particularly in a shifting legislative environment, will be matched by excellent analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills. A collaborative mindset and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a Northland context will be key, alongside your strength as a credible, resilient leader who builds effective relationships across organisations.

Tono mai / Apply

To view the Job Description, click: JD:Programme Manager - Resource Management Reform (you will be able to access the link from the NRC careers site). For further information contact: Tami Woods, Policy & Planning Manager (Tamiw@nrc.govt.nz) or Tannis Turnbull, Recruitment Advisor (Tannist@nrc.govt.nz).

Applications close 7 July 2026 and must be submitted online via the NRC careers page. We review applications as they are received.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency/citizenship, or a valid NZ work visa.