The Strategic Planning Toolbox: 7 Tools for Turning Ideas into Action
Using strategy to achieve transformational change is hard. Over the past decade, I've worked on community spatial plans, growth strategies, infrastructure programmes and regional initiatives across New Zealand. While every project is different, the most successful ones tend to combine a common set of tools. At their core, these tools help answer a simple question: how do we move from discussing the future to actively shaping it?...
July 14, 2026Why Good Planning Projects Fail (And What the Best Project Managers Do Differently)
Lessons from delivering spatial plans, strategies, policy and regulatory projects in New Zealand and Canada....
June 22, 2026Planning Reform is coming. Most councils are underestimating what that means.
There’s a growing sense of confidence about planning system reform. Who doesn’t want clearer direction, faster plans, less duplication? That’s the intent.But across my work, from Southland to Northland, the emerging reality looks a little different and I am seeing different consistent patterns. The biggest risks throughout RMA replacement aren’t technical gaps or data issues. They’re assumptions. Here’s my list of five big things to keep an eye on if you’re involved in re...
June 19, 2026 Posts 1-3 of 3 | Page
