John has over 20 years’ experience leading and contributing to some of New Zealand’s most transformational planning projects. After graduating with a Bachelor of Building Science from Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Architecture in the mid-90s, John spent a year travelling and working in a property management agency in his country of birth, Scotland, before returning to New Zealand to study urban and environmental planning. He graduated with a Master of Planning Practice from the University of Auckland in the late-90s and has worked in various urban design, planning and local government management roles for over 20 years.

Highlights of John’s career include leading the team responsible for policy and plan development, resource consents, monitoring and compliance within Auckland’s city centre, managing key aspects of the regeneration of Auckland’s city centre waterfront in the lead-up to Rugby World Cup 2011, and jointly leading the preparation of New Zealand’s most ambitious planning project to date, the Auckland Unitary Plan.

John is passionate about the role of planning in positively shaping the places and spaces in which we live our lives. He is currently General Manager Plans and Places at New Zealand’s largest local authority, Auckland Council.