What does this event cover
Regional Spatial Planning will play an important role in shaping how regions respond to long-term growth, change, infrastructure needs and environmental pressures under the new planning system.
This webinar will help you understand what is changing, what it means for your region, and how you can start preparing now.
The webinar will explore:
- the purpose and strategic opportunity of Regional Spatial Planning
- what is different under the new legislation
- how existing regional plans, evidence and partnerships can provide a foundation
- the major long-term choices spatial planning should address
- how spatial planning can better align land use, infrastructure and investment
- governance, capability and partnership considerations
- practical preparation that can begin while national settings continue to develop
- the guidance, data and implementation support local government can expect
Regions are starting from different places, but no one is starting from zero. Existing plans, strategies, evidence and partnerships provide a valuable foundation. The challenge will be testing these against the purpose and expectations of the new system and identifying where further work is needed.
Following the presentation, there will be a facilitated Q&A where you can raise questions about your region’s readiness, practical next steps and the support you need as the new system develops.
This webinar is part of a series, supported by MCERT, focused on the new planning system.
Planned topics and dates:
- 12 October – New system overview
- 14 October – Readiness for transitional consenting
- 16 October – Regional Spatial Planning: Preparing your region
- 11 November – Upholding Treaty settlements in the new planning system
- 18 November – Transitional consenting panel (1)
- 1 December – Transitional consenting panel (2)
- 2 December – Digital and data foundations in the new planning system
- 9 December – National instruments in the new planning system
Programme overview
Your facilitators and guest speakers
Lesley Baddon
Lesley Baddon is MCERT’s Auckland lead for the Planning System Reform programme. Her work focuses on spatial planning, urban growth, housing capacity, infrastructure planning, and supporting better outcomes for New Zealand’s cities and regions.
Lesley has extensive experience across both central and local government. She currently leads the MCERT team that leads the team designing the spatial planning elements of New Zealand’s planning system reforms, working closely with local government, infrastructure providers, developers and communities to support sustainable urban development and growth.
Her career spans urban policy, regional planning, infrastructure, environmental management and economic development, giving her a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing New Zealand’s growing cities and regions.
Jessica Ranger
Jessica Ranger is a General Manager in MCERT’s Planning System Reform Group, leading delivery of land use and spatial planning reforms, as well as urban and infrastructure policy. Her career spans planning, urban development, public transport, spatial planning, and building and construction policy, including leadership roles at the Ministry for the Environment, MBIE, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
Jennifer Hutcheon
Jennifer is the Delivery Lead for Spatial Planning for New Zealand’s planning system reform. With Queensland and New Zealand experience spanning local government, state government, central government, and the private sector, she has led major initiatives in planning system reform, spatial planning, and cross-government and cross-sector city deals. Prior to her current role, Jen developed the strategic case for the Government’s investment in new digital and data platforms for the planning system, and helped shape new approaches to planning system stewardship and performance.
