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Cato Bolam

Name: Cato Bolam
Address: 89 Central Park Drive, Auckland, NZ
Telephone: +64800222862

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Cato Bolam

Experts in land development, subdivision, house design, surveying, civil engineering, architecture, planning & environmental services. Your vision.

Serving Auckland, Northland & beyond. Our expertise. Creating great places.

28/05/2026

𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿.

Diana brings more than 21 years’ planning experience across Auckland and Northland, with extensive expertise in resource management, land development, infrastructure, subdivision, urban development, and complex consenting processes.

Throughout her career, Diana has worked on a broad range of residential, rural, commercial, and infrastructure projects within both the public and private sectors. Her background includes senior planning experience with organisations including Auckland Transport and AECOM, working across multidisciplinary projects and stakeholder environments.

Diana is highly regarded for her practical and commercially focused approach to planning, with particular strengths in consenting strategy, navigating complex regulatory processes, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery.

Her appointment further strengthens Cato Bolam’s ability to support clients through complex land development and consenting processes across Auckland and Northland.

Welcome to the team, Diana.

20/05/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Where are the strongest development opportunities emerging across Auckland in 2026 — and what factors are influencing where projects can successfully progress?

In our latest article, Kaaren Joubert, Planning Manager at Cato Bolam, explores Auckland’s evolving development landscape through a planning and infrastructure lens. The article looks at how Proposed Plan Change 120, Watercare capacity, transport investment, and growth sequencing are influencing feasibility, timing, and development potential across the region.

The article covers:
• Why some established urban areas continue to support growth
• How Watercare capacity is influencing project feasibility and staging
• Where intensification is likely to be supported as Proposed Plan Change 120 progresses
• Why timing, infrastructure alignment, and early feasibility assessment are becoming increasingly important

The key message for 2026 is that opportunity still exists, but successful projects depend on understanding how planning provisions, infrastructure, and site constraints align early in the process.

Read the full article here: https://catobolam.co.nz/news/three-key-factors-shaping-development-in-auckland-in-2026/

If you are assessing a site or planning ahead, our planning team can help you understand what may be achievable and how to move forward with greater certainty.

14/05/2026

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼?

Cross-lease properties have long come with a familiar challenge: what happens when a neighbour refuses consent to your renovations?

A recent Court of Appeal decision has now clarified how that consent should be assessed, confirming there is no automatic right to veto proposed alterations. Instead, any refusal must be reasonable and based on actual effects.

In our recent article, we look at what this updated interpretation means for cross-lease property owners, buyers, and developers, and how it may open up new opportunities for upgrades and redevelopment.

Read more: https://catobolam.co.nz/news/new-interpretation-for-cross-lease-properties/

29/04/2026

𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗼

Today we honour the life and legacy of Graham Cato, a founding figure of Cato Bolam Consultants and a highly respected surveyor and land development professional.

Graham played a pivotal role in establishing the foundations of our business, helping shape its growth through his leadership, integrity, and commitment to doing things the right way.

Over his career, he contributed to the development of communities across Waitākere, Rodney, and the wider Auckland region. His work, and the relationships he built, have left a lasting legacy.

Graham was also a mentor to many. He gave people opportunities, backed them, and helped shape the careers of those who are part of our business today. His influence continues to be felt across our team.

Above all, Graham will be remembered as a true gentleman — respected by colleagues, clients, and peers alike. The annual golf day BBQs held at his home were legendary within the team and a much-anticipated highlight.

We feel very fortunate to have known him.

Our thoughts are with Anne, Mark, Gerald, Jonathan, and their families.

09/04/2026

𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 – 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀?

If you’re a Senior Planner in Auckland and starting to think about what’s next, this could be worth a conversation.

We’re growing our planning team at Cato Bolam and looking for someone ready to step into greater ownership, broader project exposure, and a more active role in shaping outcomes.

This role can be based in either our Henderson or Orewa office.

You’ll work across a wide range of projects including residential, rural, and commercial developments, not just across Auckland but extending north through to Northland and the Far North. It’s a chance to engage with a diverse mix of planning challenges and environments.

In this role, you’ll:
• Lead projects end-to-end, not just contribute to them
• Work directly with clients and decision-makers
• Get involved early and help shape project direction
• Stay connected to both the technical and strategic aspects of planning

This could suit you if you:
• Are operating at a senior level, or close to it
• Have strong Auckland planning experience
• Are ready for more responsibility and visibility
• Enjoy working in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team

Whether you’re in consultancy and looking for broader exposure, or in council and wanting to be closer to project delivery, this role offers both variety and progression.

Cato Bolam is a well-established consultancy with a strong reputation and a consistent pipeline of work. You’ll be part of a team that values quality, works closely together, and supports ongoing growth.

If you’re open to a change or simply curious, feel free to reach out for a confidential chat.

Kaaren Joubert, Planning Manager
📧 [email protected]

07/04/2026

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗱 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱?

For many Northland rural landowners, subdivision is a practical way to create options and plan ahead.

It can be a means to:
• Reduce debt or unlock equity
• Create sites for family
• Plan for retirement or future ownership
• Support the long-term management and maintenance of your land

Across the Far North, Whangarei, and Kaipara, many properties include areas of bush, wetlands, or steeper land that are less suited to ongoing use. Focusing protection and enhancement in these areas can create subdivision opportunities, where required thresholds are met, while also supporting the long-term resilience of the property.

Simon Reiher, Director at Cato Boalm, explores this further in our latest article.

🔗 https://catobolam.co.nz/news/unlocking-value-in-northlands-rural-land/

𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽.

Our team offers free rural site assessments. We walk the land with you, listen to what you are looking to achieve, and provide clear, practical advice on what may be possible.

Book your free rural site assessment today. Contact the team 0800 2 CATOBOLAM.

26/03/2026

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲.

Converting from cross lease to fee simple (freehold) is becoming an increasingly common step for Auckland landowners looking to simplify ownership and add value to their property.

In practical terms, it can mean:
• Greater flexibility to renovate, extend, or redevelop
• Clear individual ownership, with defined boundaries
• Fewer legal complexities when selling or refinancing
• Improved buyer confidence and marketability

In many cases, this shift can also lead to a noticeable increase in property value, depending on the site and location.

Cross lease titles can work, but they often come with limitations. Shared ownership and consent requirements from neighbours can all create friction when you’re trying to move forward with your property.
Converting to fee simple removes those constraints and gives you greater control over what happens on your land.

Cato Bolam Director Mark Parker has put together a practical guide that walks through the process, key considerations, and what to expect:
https://catobolam.co.nz/news/cross-lease-to-fee-simple/

If you’re thinking about your next steps, whether that’s unlocking value, planning improvements, or preparing for sale, our team can help you assess what’s possible and guide the process end to end.

Book your free discovery call today on 0800 2 CATOBOLAM.

20/03/2026

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆.
𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁.

On Global Surveyors Day, we’re sharing a glimpse into how surveyors see the world.

Where many see hills, paddocks, and coastlines, surveyors see elevation models, contours, and layers of spatial data that guide the projects built on that land.

Using GPS technology and advanced terrain modelling, landscapes are transformed into detailed digital maps — sometimes looking like works of art.

Behind every contour and dataset is careful field work, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of the land.

At Cato Bolam, our surveyors play a vital role in shaping the communities we help create — from rural subdivisions to large urban developments.

Today we recognise the outstanding work of our surveyors and those across the industry, whose expertise underpins so much of the built environment around us.

Take a moment to appreciate the art and precision of surveying.

18/03/2026

𝗡𝗼𝘄’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Cato Bolam’s Environmental Director and rural subdivision expert, Myles Goodwin, outlines how protecting and restoring native bush and wetlands can strengthen farm resilience while unlocking value through Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) or environmental enhancement subdivision under the Auckland Unitary Plan.

A recent Environment Court decision has clarified that separate pockets of bush or wetlands can now be considered together when assessing new title creation thresholds. This better reflects how rural properties function, where vegetation is often spread across gullies, south-facing slopes, and smaller areas rather than one continuous block.

For landowners, this creates an opportunity to generate new titles while improving long-term land resilience. Protecting areas such as gullies and slopes can support environmental outcomes, while retaining more productive paddocks for farming.

If you have explored these options before and were unable to meet the thresholds, it may be worth revisiting. Recent interpretation changes are opening up opportunities that may not have previously been available.

Bush and wetland areas do not need to be pristine to meet quality standards for title generation. If you have these features on your property, talk to our team about what may be possible.

Read the full article to learn more:https://catobolam.co.nz/news/nows-the-time-to-plan-native-planting-and-wetland-restoration/

07/03/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆!

Today, we recognise the women across Cato Bolam and the wider sector who are helping to shape the future of our industry.

At Cato Bolam, women are leading as Directors, Managers, Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, Planners, and Ecologists. Their expertise, leadership, and perspective continue to strengthen our team and the work we do.

Thank you for the expertise and leadership you bring to our team, our projects, and our industry.

Address

89 Central Park Drive
Auckland

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+64800222862

Website

http://www.catobolam.co.nz/

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