Avanzar Consulting Ltd

07/10/2026

Spatial planning is now mandatory in NZ. So what does that actually mean?

The Planning Act and Natural Environment Act have now become law, and the opportunity to develop new spatial plans has finally dawned. While the term "spatial"; has peppered numerous planning documents for years, its use in the Planning Act has presumably been chosen deliberately to signify a change in practice which can't be fully understood without reference to its origins. Hamish were reminded recently by a colleague at Otago Regional Council that the German school of spatial economics and classical location theory has perhaps the strongest hand in its formulation. From the get-go, this is a very different discipline from the way we've been writing policies and rules to manage the effects of activities to date. If we're right, then we have a huge hill to climb with respect to the cultural shift ahead of us, with only a thin sprinkling of planners with this background to fall back on. The next 6 to 12 months will be revealing. First national direction is due within 12 months of assent, and regional spatial plans follow. Can MCERT and councils graft in the expertise fast enough? Where I'd start, almost immediately:

- Scope out what research and studies need to be produced in each region, including population and economic driver forecasting;
- Create multi-disciplinary working groups of economists,
infrastructure agencies, planners and spatial data specialists;
- Embed planners with previous spatial planning backgrounds into relevant council teams to sense-check what's being produced
- Start a conversation between MCERT, NZPI and the universities about what future curriculums should cover.

Get this wrong and regional spatial plan could end up as a re-branded Regional Policy Statement in disguise, wrapped in bubble diagrams. Get it right and we transform the potential for regional development.

So, what are you seeing in your local university, council or practice?

For practical advice on how and what's coming up around developing regional spatial plans maybe relevant for your future business plans contact the friendly team at Avanzar Consulting Ltd https://avanzar.co.nz/services/

31/03/2026

Why the shape of our cities matter

As New Zealand’s planning system undergoes its biggest transformation in decades, there’s a critical conversation we need to have about what “well-functioning urban areas” actually means....
Click on the link to find out more.

Why the shape of our cities matter As New Zealand’s planning system undergoes its biggest transformation in decades, there’s a […]

12/03/2026

NZPI-RMA-Reform

A Once-in-a-Generation Shift: What the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill Mean for Everyone

Published ahead of NZPIC26 | Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington |
25–27 March 2026

https://lnkd.in/eEYCJVau

Hamish Barrell from Avanzar Consulting Ltd is attending NZPIC26 in Wellington, 25–27 March 2026.
Get in touch to arrange a meeting or catch me at the conference!

08/02/2026

Diddly Squat Visit!

Click on the link below to read all about Mary's Diddly Squat visit!

https://avanzar.co.nz/2026/02/08/diddly-squat-visit/

24/12/2025

14/12/2025

This Christmas season, Avanzar has once again had the privilege of supporting the Canterbury Special Children’s Christmas Party. Nationwide, nearly 10,000 tamariki are invited to a magical day created especially for those living with serious illness, disabilities, or challenging home circumstances. From stage shows to face painting, games, food, and gifts, the extravaganza is packed with smiles and excitement!

At Avanzar, we’re proud to come together with other organisations to support our local community and bring a little extra joy, fun, and laughter to these children. Keen to join us and be part of the magic next year? You can find out more here https://www.sccpnz.co.nz/canterbury/

12/11/2025

Solid Plans for Quarries: How Planning and Traffic Experts Pave the Way

Every road you drive on, every building you walk into, likely started at a quarry - these sites supply the raw materials that keep New Zealand moving and growing. While their role is vital, the path to running a quarry or aggregates operation is far from straightforward. Operators must balance the demands of productivity, compliance, environmental responsibility, and maintaining community trust.

That’s where Avanzar Consulting comes in. Our experienced team understands how crucial effective resource management planning and traffic engineering is to the success of quarrying and aggregates operations. Whether it’s navigating the resource consent process, ensuring compliance with conditions, seeking a plan change, or ensuring heavy vehicle movements are safe and efficient, having the right advice helps to avoid delays and unexpected costs.

With growing scrutiny on the impacts of quarries, councils, communities, and the media expect more transparency and smarter planning solutions. That’s why engaging experienced consultants isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a must-have for sustainable, successful growth. We’re always happy to have a chat about how Avanzar Consulting can help your project move forward with confidence.

www.avanzar.co.nz

06/11/2025

Why you need a planner early in the development process...

When you’re looking at a new site or project, it’s tempting to jump straight into the exciting stuff - design concepts, budgets, and projected outcomes. Before you get too far into the process though, there’s one thing that can save you time, money and stress – engage a planner early!

1. Identifying what is possible for your proposed site

Every prospective development site sits within a specific planning framework. This framework includes which zone the site is within and associated rules and overlays. A planner can quickly interpret these rules to tell you what’s possible and what’s likely to need resource consent. Importantly, they can also give you advice on designs that are more likely to get resource consent, whilst maximising your development goals. Getting this advice up front means you’re designing with the planning framework in mind, not consistently fighting against it.

2. Advice on tactics

Our planners have years of experience that assists you with the most important part of the consenting process – tactics! The best way through the development process isn’t always the obvious way. Sometimes it makes more sense to carry out development in a multi-stage manner, or to time the project differently. Sometimes it even makes sense from a tactical perspective to initially apply for something slightly different from the end goal. Our planners are experts in planning tactics and will advise you on the best most time effective cost effective tactics to enable you to reach your development goals.

3. Reducing costly redesign work

Architects and engineers do their best work when they know the planning parameters from the start. By bringing a planner into the early design phase, you can identify key development constraints (like setbacks, height limits, traffic access, or environmental issues) before plans are finalised. Planners can advise architects and engineers on those parts of a design where it makes sense to push the planning boundaries, and those aspects in which it is best to comply as much as possible. This prevents expensive redesigns or time delays during consent processing.

4. Smoother and faster consenting

Our planners know what councils are looking for when they process an application, how to prepare an application, and are able to succinctly present supporting evidence that meets planning requirements. Our early involvement means your application can be prepared efficiently, with fewer surprises and requests for extra information once it’s lodged.

5. Risk management and strategy

Every development is subject to a level of risk - from public notification to potential objections or conditions that can add unexpected costs. Our planners helps you assess those risks early and design a strategy to manage these risks, whether that’s through design changes, stakeholder engagement, or staged consenting.

5. Adding value through experience

Our planners work across a wide range of projects, and have worked on both sides of the planning fence. Our experience helps you identify opportunities that others might miss - whether it’s an overlooked opportunity within the District Plan rules, a potential subdivision pathway, or an alternative consent approach that saves time and fees.

6. Building relationships with councils

A good planner acts as the bridge between the developer and the council. Our planners understand how Council planners think and what documentation they need to do their jobs efficiently. We have good professional relationships within the New Zealand planning industry, that has proven to be the difference between a straightforward consenting process and an extended one.



Early planning input represents a strategic advantage for you and your project. Involving a planner early in the development process helps ensure your design aligns with the opportunities within District Plans, enables a realistic budget and will help you keep your next development project on track.

If you’d like to discuss how Avanzar Consulting can assist from the very start of your next project, please get in touch — we’re always happy to talk through development options before the details are on paper.

https://www.avanzar.co.nz

05/11/2025

How good planning input increases development value

When people think about what drives development or property value, they often focus on location, design, or market trends. But there’s another, less visible factor that can make a major difference - good planning advice. Strategic, well-informed planning advice can unlock potential, reduce risk, and ultimately increase the long-term value of your development.

1. Unlocking development potential

An early planning scoping report can identify opportunities others might overlook. That could mean recognising potential for subdivision, intensification, or an additional activity on site. Understanding what the District Plan allows and how to navigate the consent process can turn a standard site into one with significant development opportunities. Our planners can quickly research your site and the constraints and opportunities that affect it, to assist you in early decision making and to maximise returns.

2. Reducing risk and uncertainty

Unclear zoning rules, unaddressed site constraints, or poorly prepared resource consent applications can all create costly delays or limit development potential. Good planning advice reduces these risks. When you know exactly what’s possible and what’s not, you can confidently make decisions on your development and avoid surprises that might erode your project’s profitability.

3. Designing smarter, not bigger

Good planning isn’t just about ticking boxes. In our view, the rules within a District Plan are just triggers. Good planning advice allows you to shape development to work better within its context. Our planners are experts in how to achieve your site’s development potential. Our advice can help balance yield, design and amenity to achieve outcomes that add significant value to your project. A well-planned site layout and access arrangements can significantly enhance both market appeal and long-term usability. Seeking our advice on project design and layout can enhance your project whilst also future proofing by anticipating future development potential.

4. Enhancing environmental and community outcomes

Projects that integrate environmental performance, a common sense approach to on site parking and transport design and good urban design, create places that work for potential occupiers. Well-planned, well-designed developments contribute positively to neighbourhoods and assist in the enhancement of long-term property values.

6. Future-proofing your investment

Planning frameworks evolve. In New Zealand, the statutory framework is changing rapidly. Its important that your development is designed with an understanding of potential future zoning changes, infrastructure upgrades, and strategic growth directions are more resilient to shifting policy environments. Our planner can help ensure your project is adaptable, that you meet the necessary timeframes to avoid loss of opportunity, and that your development continues to perform as planning rules and market expectations change.

In short, good planning doesn’t just get your project across the line. Good planning adds measurable value. Our planners are experts at identifying opportunities, minimising risk, and ensuring your development is future proofed and insulated against policy change that can affect yield and financial outcomes.

If you’d like to understand how our planners can assist you with increasing the value of your development site, please get in touch with Avanzar Consulting — we’re here to help you make the most of your land’s potential.

https://avanzar.co.nz/

08/10/2025

Avanzar Consulting is pleased to again sponsor the Special Children's Christmas Party.

This annual event is dedicated to providing an unforgettable day of joy for children facing challenges such as serious illness, disabilities, or difficult home situations. These kids, along with their caregivers, are treated to an extravaganza of fun, gifts, and entertainment.

We invite other businesses and individuals to join Avanzar Consulting in supporting this very worthy cause. The Canterbury event is to be held on the 22nd November this year, so time is running out to sign up as a sponsor. The more sponsors they obtain, the more local children benefit!

Canterbury's special children's christmas parties. Contact us about our sponsoring the Canterbury event.