Mark
Role: Director / Certified Independent Commissioner
Mark established Plan Co. in 2016 after working for a number years in the Resource Consents Department at Auckland Council in leadership and managerial roles.
Mark graduated in 2003 and gained planning experience in the UK before moving to New Zealand. His previous experience has formed a solid basis on which he is known for obtaining results for clients and managing complex resource consent issues through the statutory approval process. During a planning career at the coal face of regulatory work, Mark has established a reputation as a solution focused and pragmatic problem solver that achieves results for his clients.
Mark quickly understands the needs and aspirations of those he works with and is quick to identify areas of contention yet remains focused on solutions to help his clients achieve successful and positive outcomes.
Mark has been a Certified Independent Commissioner since 2024.
Janelle
Role: Director / Planning Consultant
Janelle completed her planning studies in 2007 and has obtained resource management planning experience, working both in planning policy and resource consents at the public and private level.
She has expertise in subdivision and resource consent planning for a range of residential and commercial developments as well as policy and resource consent experience at Environment Court level.
Janelle is pragmatic and solution focused with a proven record of obtaining results and outcomes, as well as developing purposeful relationships with clients and Council alike.
Parvati
Role: Planning Manager / Certified Independent Commissioner
Parvati is passionate about planning and building great liveable cities. She has over 20 years experience in all spheres of planning – resource consenting and compliance, District Plan policy, and recently more strategic work – leading work on the Wairarapa-Wellington-Horowhenua Future Development Strategy.
She is an experienced people manager having previously been the Head of Planning at Hutt City Council. She joins Plan Co. as Planning Manager to support the team deliver solutions for our clients.
Parvati fell into planning at Auckland Council after completing a Masters in Environmental Science from University of Auckland in 2006 and has not looked back. She brings with her in depth knowledge of local government in Auckland and Wellington together with experience working closely with developers as Development Liaison Manager at HCC (where she oversaw development increase exponentially by busting down barriers for developers). She brings a positive, can do attitude to establish strong relationships, with clients, and the council to assist in getting developments across the line. Parvati is a Full Member of NZPI and a Certified Independent Commissioner since 2024.
Pip
Role: Planning Lead
Philippa (Pip) loves navigating the complexities of the consent process for clients to achieve successful outcomes, and supporting our collaborative, high-performing team at Plan Co in her role as Planning Lead.
She has over 20 years’ experience across a broad spectrum of projects in both the public and private sectors, mostly in Auckland and Queenstown. She has held senior roles at Auckland Council including Delegated Officer and Acting Planning Team Leader for the North Shore, and brings valuable insight into Council processes and decision making.
Holly
Role: Planning Consultant
Holly has been working in the planning industry since 2021 and is studying towards a Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning. Holly has excellent communication skills and enjoys relationship building and securing positive outcomes for clients and the environment alike.
Diego
Role: Planning Consultant
Diego holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Planning with Distinction from Massey University.
He brings a dual background in environmental science and statutory planning. Diego has experience across local government resource consent processing in the Auckland and Northland regions, managing land use and subdivision applications. Furthermore, his pragmatic, solution-focused stakeholder engagement with iwi, developers, and the community involves building credible, positive relationships across diverse groups to ensure inclusive outcomes in resource management processes.
Xin
Role: Planning Consultant
Xin is a passionate and dynamic professional in urban design and planning, known for her proactive approach and exceptional organisational skills.
With academic qualifications from China and the UK, she began her career in local government and has since gained over ten years of experience in both New Zealand and China. Her expertise spans resource consent processing, Notice of Requirement preparation, statutory and policy development, urban design review, and project monitoring, both domestically and internationally.
Xin’s efficiency and proactive mindset enable her to deliver outstanding customer service and successfully lead projects. Her extensive experience in local councils has also provided her with a strong understanding of risk management principles and project processes.
Samantha
Role: Planning Consultant
Samantha holds a Bachelor of Business, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Planning and is currently working towards completing a Master of Resource and Environmental Planning.
Samantha’s passions lie in shaping sustainable, well-functioning communities that meet both current and future needs. Approachable and collaborative, Samantha values clear communication and strong relationships as the foundation for effective planning outcomes.
Sonya
Role: Office Manager
Sonya is an organised, reliable, and approachable professional Office Manager who takes pride in creating calm and efficiency wherever she goes. With a natural ability to support people and keep things running smoothly, she brings warmth, structure, and care to everything she does.
Over the years, Sonya has built a wealth of experience across corporate, financial, and healthcare settings. She’s known for her attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and genuine commitment to helping others succeed. Whether she’s managing accounts, coordinating projects, or keeping day-to-day operations on track, Sonya approaches every task with positivity and professionalism.
Sonya values teamwork, integrity, and clear communication — and always brings a steady, friendly presence to the people and workplaces she supports.
Ritchie
Role: Chief Wellness Manager
Ritchie McPaw is our Chief Wellness Manager. Ritchie brings his fun, playful nature to the office most days of the week. He protects the office with his barks at courier drivers. Ritchie loves a long walk at lunchtime and helping recycle by ripping up cardboard.
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