Our Team
Behind The Brand
With 60+ years in the industry and a 100% success rate, you can trust Planning Plus
Our common-sense approach and extensive skills and experience mean we can provide real solutions to get your project completed.
In particular, the Planning Plus® promises to our clients are:
- Our consultants and staff are all experienced and highly regarded within the industry.
- We provide comprehensive planning solutions.
- We are reliable, honest and efficient.
- We apply a high quality focus to all aspects of work.
- We provide excellent customer service in all areas of the business.
Hannah Thomson
Principal Planner / Director
BSc MApplSc (Environmental Management)
Learn more
Hannah Thomson is Director of Planning Plus® and has over 24 years of resource management experience working in both local government and the private sector. This includes five years at Rodney District Council in roles including Senior Planner and Team Leader.
Hannah has a wide range of experience including commercial, rural, residential and coastal development and subdivision on small to large scales and appearances at both Council and Environment Court as an expert witness for mediation and hearings. Hannah has assisted Councils with policy development and has also assisted private individuals with submissions to Council.
Hannah holds the qualifications of BSc (Environmental Science) and Masters of Applied Science (Environmental Management), is a Full Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and Secretary of the New Zealand Planning Institute Auckland & Northland Branch Committee. Hannah is a member of the Auckland Urban Design Panel Governance Board and the Resource Management Law Association.
Helen Heard
Principal Planner
BAppSc Env.Sc. BBM
Learn more
Helen is a Principal Planner at Planning Plus® and has over 19 years’ experience in planning and environmental consulting.
Helen’s experience includes the preparation of resource consents, compliance monitoring, environmental auditing, community consultation and environmental fund coordination. Her background has provided her with a wide range and thorough understanding of technical and environmental inputs.
Helen holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Science) and Bachelor of Business (Management) Conjoint Degree and is an Associate Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute.
Charlotte Vellinga
Principal Planner
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours)
Learn more
Charlotte is a Senior Planner at Planning Plus® and has over 12 years experience in resource management, working in both local government and the private sector. This includes time spent at Auckland Council as a Senior Planner where she processed a wide variety of consent applications.
Charlotte has extensive experience in the resource management field including residential, rural, commercial, heritage and coastal development as well as subdivisions ranging from small to large scale.
Charlotte holds a Bachelor of Planning with Honours from the University of Auckland and is an Intermediate Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute.
Achini Samarasekara
Intermediate Planner
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours)
Learn more
Achini is an Intermediate Planner at Planning Plus®. and has 5 years of experience in resource consenting. She has processed a variety of consents including residential, commercial, subdivision, air discharge, and soil contamination consents.
Achini holds a hold a Bachelor’s of Urban Planning (Honours) from the University of Auckland and is an Intermediate Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute. Achini previously served as the Emerging Planners representative for the Top of the South region.
027 236 9966 | 09 427 9966 | achini@planningplus.co.nz
Shayne Yang
Intermediate Planner
Master of Urban Planning (Professional) and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Learn more
Shayne is an Intermediate Planner at Planning Plus
and has five years resource management experience focusing on commercial, residential, and subdivision projects across Auckland, in addition to experience in landscape architecture. She has worked extensively in the private sector, leading end-to-end resource consent processes and collaborating closely with clients, councils, designers, and technical specialists.
027 555 9966 | 09 427 9966 |
Emma Bachelor
Business Administrator
Bachelor of Science with Business Studies
Learn more
Emma is a Business Administrator at Planning Plus® and is responsible for the day-to-day management of administration activities, team support and also assists with client liaison.
Emma holds the degree of Bachelor of Science with Business Studies and has a wide variety of administration experience which the Planning Plus team utilise to ensure that clients’ experiences are smooth and positive.