Meet our people
The Planning Collective team are an experienced and friendly crew with deep industry knowledge and a wide range of expertise. Our people have undertaken their own development projects so understand the importance of clear advice, delivering on time, cost effectiveness and finding creative solutions.
Burnette O’Connor -
Director | Planner
BRep (Hons) Massey University, MNZPI and RMLA
burnette@thepc.co.nz
021-422-346
Burnette is a passionate planner with over 26 years’ experience in all aspects of resource management planning. She has worked in private practice for over twenty years, most of that time running her own planning consultancy OPC and more recently The Planning Collective.
Burnette was the lead planner for Plan Change 25 – Warkworth North a private plan change for approximately 100 hectares of land in Warkworth.
She has provided expert evidence in the Environment Court for a broad range of proposals including land use subdivision and coastal consents, plan changes and District Plan reviews. Burnette is also an Independent Hearing Commissioner and registered Chair as well as a full member of the NZPI and RMLA. She contributes to community through youth and graduate planner mentoring; providing pro bono planning advice and services for community projects where possible; is a member of One Mahurangi Business Association; and promotes planning related activity and community input, most recently and significantly through initiating a community driven spatial plan for Warkworth.
When not at work Burnette enjoys socialising with friends, gardening, hiking, boating and time at the beach.
Diana Bell -
Manager | Planner
BPlan Auckland University, MNZPI and RMLA
diana@thepc.co.nz
021-382-000
Diana brings over 18 years’ experience in project delivery, statutory planning and environmental management with a pragmatic and proactive approach to the successful delivery of planning projects. She has extensive experience in all aspects of resource management planning and leading multi-disciplinary teams. Diana has an interest in complex projects requiring collaboration between multiple parties and disciplines which result in a high-quality product for end users. She has a track record of quickly identifying the course of action required to address complex RMA and stakeholder issues and secure streamlined reporting and approval processes.
Diana was the Auckland Transport planner for the Matakana Link Road project. More recently she has held the role of AEE – Discipline Lead for the Supporting Growth Alliance. In this role Diana was driving excellence, consistency and ultimately verifying all technical outputs across the programme.
She has provided expert evidence in both Council Hearings and in the Environment Court for a board range of proposals including land use, subdivision, coastal consents, plan changes, plan reviews and major roading projects. Diana is a full member of the NZPI and RMLA.
When not at work Diana enjoys spending time with her children, socialising with friends over a few cocktails, travelling and time at the beach.
Mark Stripp - Planner
BA in Environmental Studies and Economics, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
mark@thepc.co.nz
021-422-079
Mark joins the Planning Collective with planning experience across a range of development and environmental matters within the public sector, having held various roles within local and central government agencies within New Zealand and the United States. Following completion of a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and Economics from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill in 2015, Mark relocated to New Zealand in 2017 to join his partner and has since gained significant exposure across a range of urban development issues whilst at Auckland Transport and Kainga Ora - Homes and Communities.
Most recently, and prior to joining The Planning Collective, Mark's involvement in resource consenting predominantly focused on residential developments and subdivisions to support the efficient and effective delivery of public housing across Aotearoa. In addition, Mark brings substantial experience in leading and project managing complex and extensive plan change submissions in order to ensure that planning frameworks are sufficiently enabling and support well-functioning urban environments, having previously been involved in preparation of submissions and navigating hearing processes on Auckland Plan Changes 78-83, the Proposed New Plymouth District Plan, and the Proposed Central Hawkes Bay District Plan (amongst others).
In his spare time, Mark greatly enjoys reading, oil painting, socialising, travelling, and generally being in and exploring the outdoors.
Kate Sanders - Planner
BA University of Otago, MRP Massey University, MNZPI
kate@kept.co.nz
021-136-0812
Kate has been a planner since 2009. While completing her Masters in Resource and Environmental Planning through Massey University, Kate spent three years as a transport and strategic planner with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council in Tauranga. Following this, she moved to Christchurch where she processed consents for Environment Canterbury before moving to an Engineering and Surveying consultancy working with private developers on subdivision and land use consent applications as well as continuing to provide support to the Canterbury Regional Council with transport planning. In 2015 Kate moved to Hamilton and worked with Feathers Planning preparing land use consent applications under district and regional plans across Waikato. Following this Kate set up independently.
Kate brings extensive experience in understanding complex developments under various planning frameworks, project management and providing planning advice for land development projects.
Outside of work, Kate enjoys skiing, mountain biking, boating and spending time with the family on the coast.
Shannon Yates - Planning Assistant
Studying for BUrbPlan(Hons) University of Auckland, MNZPI
shannon@thepc.co.nz
021-422-713
Shannon is studying towards a Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) at the University of Auckland and is a student member of the New Zealand Planning Institute. She was drawn to planning due to her interest and passion for the environment and urban spaces. Shannon enjoys both creative and critical thinking and is looking forward to creating positive outcomes for communities and the environment in her role as a planner. As a planning assistant, Shannon’s role includes supporting the planning team and providing administration support as required.
Outside of work Shannon enjoys relaxing with friends and family and playing hockey.
Amanda Stewart - Project Manager
amanda@thepc.co.nz
021-422-681
Amanda has recently moved into a Project Management role and is based at our Silverdale offices. She has a background in marketing, systems and organisation, and loves getting things done.
After a recent move from Point Wells to Mount Eden, she is enjoying the new city living vibe with her husband, son and daughter.
Katie Graham - Accounts Administrator
accounts@thepc.co.nz
021-422-681
Katie is our Accounts Administrator and has over 20 years experience in Accounts and Administration roles. She also manages her husband's building firm after hours and likes working in the property, planning and development sector. Having been on the building/construction side of consents in the past, Katie is enjoying working on the planning side and increasing her knowledge of the council processes.
Katie splits her time between the beautiful Hibiscus Coast and magical Mangawhai and enjoys renovating, landscaping, Pilates and travel with her family.