About InPlace
A collaborative and delivery-focused approach.
InPlace Consulting is based in Hamilton Kirikiriroa and managed by Ben and Cleo Petch. We are a husband-and-wife team with deep roots in urban planning, project delivery, and environmental consulting. When you engage InPlace, you work directly with Ben.
Our Approach
Embedded partnership
We work as an extension of your team - integrating with your people, governance structures, and project goals to support collaborative success.
Planning + delivery
We help bridge the gap between strategic planning and practical implementation.
Senior-led involvement
Clients work directly with an experienced specialist throughout every stage of a project.
Built for complexity
We support multi-stakeholder public-sector initiatives requiring collaboration, structure, engagement, and delivery focus.
Meet the team
Ben Petch
MCIP-I, Assoc.NZPI, PMP
Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Urban and Regional Planning, specialising in Urban Design), Honours, Dean's List, University of Waterloo; Master of Urban Design, University of Auckland.
Ben brings over two decades of experience in urban planning, strategy, and project delivery across Aotearoa New Zealand and Canada. An award-winning planner, certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and experienced public engagement practitioner (IAP2), he is trusted by councils and public sector leaders to guide complex, high-profile projects. He has led more than 100 projects across rural, regional, and urban communities.
Known for linking strategy with implementation, Ben helps clients navigate complexity, build alignment, manage risk, and make confident decisions. By combining planning, engagement, and project leadership expertise, he develops practical solutions that create lasting value for communities.
Cleo Petch
Director | Environmental Consultant | Business Strategist
Cleo provides strategic oversight and operational leadership at InPlace. With a background in environmental consulting and leadership roles at WSP and Worley Parsons, she brings experience managing large teams and service lines across New Zealand and North America - experience she applies directly to InPlace's projects and operations.
Cleo believes that clear, honest communication is at the heart of every successful project and team. She ensures that InPlace operates with integrity, agility, and a consistent commitment to quality.
Experience Across Aotearoa
InPlace has supported councils and public agencies on a range of complex and collaborative planning initiatives across New Zealand.
Our experience spans:
Spatial planning
Future development strategies
Growth planning
Stakeholder and community engagement
Governance and implementation support
Project and programme delivery
Urban growth and placemaking initiatives
Our work has been recognised by organisations including NZPI, PRINZ, Taituarā, LGNZ, and Survey & Spatial New Zealand & Australasia.
