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.

With 30 years' experience spanning local government, consultancy and renewable energy, Shirley brings deep and varied expertise to every project. Prior to joining The Planning Collective in April 2026, she was Principal Planner and Policy advisor for Mercury (renewable energy) in Auckland.

Shirley's consenting experience covers a wide range of applications, from rural and rural-residential subdivisions through to complex infrastructure projects, and she is a seasoned expert witness before councils and the Environment Court. Her policy work includes District Plan reviews in Christchurch and Queenstown, and submissions on RMA reform legislation and national direction.

Clients value her analytical approach, her strong command of environmental legislation and policy, and her ability for turning complex issues into practical, balanced advice. She works closely with applicants, technical specialists, iwi, community stakeholders and decision-makers to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Away from the office, Shirley can be found walking Chia, her Labrador, cheering on Mahurangi College rugby, and exploring the northern bush and beaches.

Denize is studying for a Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) with a keen interest in the layered processes of urban development. Collaboration, research, and design are some of her favourite parts in her degree. As a student member of the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI), she values learning about the diverse responsibilities and impacts of planning. 

In her role as a planning assistant, Denize contributes through administrative support needed and helping drive the groundwork forward for ongoing projects.

 Outside of work Denize enjoys music related events, hiking in scenic places, travelling overseas or around New Zealand and spending down time with family and friends.

Kate has been a planner since 2009. While completing her Master of 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.Description text goes here

Tammy established her consultancy, Spring Resource Management in 2024 and provides planning and project management support to The Planning Collective. She brings over 20 years of experience in environmental and regulatory planning, gained through roles across District and Regional Councils and the private sector within the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Canterbury and Auckland Regions.

Tammy is also an independent Hearing Commissioner with a keen interest in planning within the rural environment.

Outside of work Tammy spends her time supporting her children at their various sporting pursuits, keeps their small farm ticking over and if time allows, gets out for a ride on one of the horses.