Hamilton City and Waikato District Councils have formed a publicly owned, Council-controlled Organisation (CCO) to deliver water services across Hamilton city and Waikato district. The company is called IAWAI - Flowing Waters and will take over the provision of water services from 1 July 2026. This transition will occur in stages such as the current Watercare contract for Waikato District Council transferring to the CCO on 1 July 2026.  

He angituutanga: The opportunity 

Step into a pivotal role at IAWAI, where you’ll support the Head of Strategy and Planning and help shape the organisation’s response to major Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms and emerging regulatory frameworks. This is a chance to influence how water services and infrastructure are delivered across Aotearoa, ensuring our planning approach is future‑focused, sustainable, and aligned with a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

You’ll lead the delivery of high‑quality strategic planning advice, guiding IAWAI and key stakeholders through complex resource management matters. Your expertise will help drive sustainable growth outcomes, secure essential planning permissions and designations, and ensure our infrastructure programme is backed by robust, compliant, and environmentally responsible planning inputs.

As a trusted leader, you’ll mentor and support planning professionals, championing consistency, excellence, and innovation across the team. If you thrive in a role where strategic thinking meets real‑world impact, and you’re energised by the opportunity to shape the future of water infrastructure, this is your next step.

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience 

• Minimum 15 years’ experience post qualification in Planning and Resource Management.
• Demonstrated experience navigating or responding to legislative and regulatory reform in a complex environment (preferably within resource management or infrastructure planning).
• Experience in land use development and its relationship with infrastructure.
• Ability to interpret planning and infrastructure related legislation, strategies, policies and plans, and conditions of consents, designations and other regulatory approvals.
• Leadership experience in managing and mentoring a team.
• Membership with the NZ Planning Institute preferred.
• The capability to exercise good judgement when negotiating solutions to complex problems.
• Experience in managing risk.
• An enabling and customer focused mindset.
• Self-awareness that mindset is the foundation of performance and an ability to develop self and others in this regard.
• Proven relationship building skills.
• Successful project management experience, delivering within deadlines and budgets.
• Stakeholder management including external experts, community groups and customers.
• Good communication skills, including writing clear and concise reports, and making effective oral and visual presentations.
• Influencing skills, able to encourage others behaviour and outcomes to support organizational goals.
• Makes effective decisions under pressure and thinks and manages clearly during times of rapid change.

He aha te wariu o te utu kaimahi? | What’s the salary? 

Circa $140k dependent on skills and experience.

Me Tono Inaaianei!: Apply Now! 

• View the position description.
• Click apply
• ​Complete your application.

If you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please combine this in the same file as your resume and upload as a PDF file. Alternatively, you can use the 'Write a message to the Hiring Team' text box.

Applications close on the: 1 July 2026

Note: We will be shortlisting as we receive applications.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome on their application via email. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. View more information about these checks, our commitment to the Privacy act and details for international applicants by clicking hereIt is important to us that we support you throughout our selection process (interview and assessments). If you have any access needs during this process, let us know in advance so we can make sure these are met