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.
Katherine Simpson - Planner
Master of Planning (MPlan), Newcastle University, MRTPI
katherine@thepc.co.nz
021-422-713
Katherine has been a planner in the private sector since 2016. Whilst studying for her degree, she completed a placement year at Transport for London in the UK and has since worked in both private planning consultancy and large multi-disciplinary consulting settings.
Katherine's experience has been focused on consenting in the UK, working within a wide range of services and sectors. To date, Katherine's experience has included work in the infrastructure sector, including within renewables, rail and road projects. She has also worked on behalf of water and utilities companies as well as a number of retail and residential clients. Katherine seeks to take a holistic approach to projects on behalf of clients, with the aim of understanding the full picture from the outset in order to obtain the best possible outcome for their needs and requirements.
Katherine originally came to New Zealand on a six month assignment in 2023 and had the opportunity to work within the Auckland Light Rail Alliance. Fast forward two years, and having fallen in love with New Zealand during her first visit, Katherine is now able to bring her extensive consenting experience to the Planning Collective team.
Katherine is a chartered Town Planner with the Royal Town Planning Institute in the UK and is looking to obtain her NZPI membership whilst working with The Planning Collective.
Out of work, Katherine loves getting outdoors and visiting new places, and can't wait to explore more of the Country.
Kate Sanders - Planner
BA University of Otago, MRP Massey University, MNZPI
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.
Denize Miagan - Planning Assistant
denize@thepc.co.nz
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, 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.
Jo Bell - Business Support Manager
admin@thepc.co.nz
021 422 681
Jo is our new Business Management Support person. She has recently moved north from Wellington and is settling into the Warkworth area.
Jo has worked in both corporate and small business environments over the past 25 years bringing a range of skills related to process improvements, workflow management and technology.
Jo assists the team with planning support, planning administration and workflow management.
Outside of work Jo enjoys gardening, walking and catching up with friends.
Tammy Deans - Planner
BSc Canterbury University, Master of Resource and Environmental Planning Massey University
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.