Barker & Associates

Our Warkworth team has moved to their new office!   We’re thrilled to have a fresh space that supports our growth and allows us to continue delivering top-notch service.   You can now find us at: Level 2, 6/68 Woodcocks Road, Warkworth.   Feel free to get in touch with the team, or pop in to say hello! Michelle, Alisa, Melissa, Charlie

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀! Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to work with a dynamic team of planners across the country? At B&A, we are committed to fostering a positive and inspiring work environment where innovation and growth thrive. B&A have the current positions available: • Nationwide - Natural Hazards Planner • Auckland - Associate / Senior Associate • Hamilton - Planner - All Levels • Hawke's Bay - Planner - All Levels • Central Otago - Planner - All Levels We continually introduce fresh initiatives, offer health and wellness benefits, company-wide activity days and conservation trips, to ensure our team members stay motivated and content. In addition to a stimulating and supportive atmosphere, we provide a competitive salary that recognizes your skills and experience. Applications are currently open, head over to our website for more information and to apply! https://lnkd.in/gBvtDk5

We are pleased to welcome Paige George to the Support Team at B&A!   Paige is our new Team Administrator based in the Auckland office.   She brings experience in executive support, administration, and event coordination. With a background in managing operations and supporting leadership teams, she is passionate about collaboration and ensuring smooth day-to-day processes.   Please join us in welcoming Paige!   

We are excited to offer an incredible opportunity for an experienced Natural Hazards Planner to become part of the B&A team.   If you're passionate about shaping the future of Natural Hazards planning and driving meaningful change, we want to hear from you!   Apply today and help us make a real impact. https://lnkd.in/gBvtDk5

The 𝗛𝘂𝘁𝘁 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 has been notified! The updates build on existing frameworks while introducing new provisions to support long-term resilience. Our team are here to help you navigate these changes!    Key Changes in the Proposed Plan: • A shift towards a more structured 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 to natural hazards - refining 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and tighter restrictions on urban development in high-risk flood zones. This will provide clearer guidance for landowners, developers and decision makers. • The 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 chapter provides a stronger commitment to climate adaptation with improved strategies for 𝘀𝗲𝗮-𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, emphasising natural resilience and stricter land use controls. A clearer alignment with national coastal policies. • The Medium and High-Density Residential chapters largely reflect the changes introduced through 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝟱𝟲: 𝗘𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀. However, the 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 introduces a large lot residential zone where medium- or high-density residential development may be less appropriate, e.g. due to topographical or infrastructure constraints. • Greater recognition of 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗶, with more defined consultation and cultural impact assessment guidance.   The Proposed District Plan is open for submissions until 4 April 2025. Our 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 are available to help, provide 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲, and assist with preparing 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. Reach out to discuss how the 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 may impact your projects.

Please join us in welcoming Maisie Fisher to the B&A team!   Maisie has started in our Christchurch office as a Planner. Since graduating from the University of Otago in 2023, she has worked on a range of urban and rural projects, including processing and preparing resource consent applications, strategic and spatial planning, and providing technical planning advice to clients and stakeholders.   Maisie is a fantastic addition to our team and we are so happy to have her on board! 

Over the summer, our Interns, Isobel Green, Lee Hewer, Natalie Duke and Te Karira Ruakere-Norris have assisted the B&A team and covered a wide scope of our planning work, including learning the process of consenting, submitting their own resource consents and attending site visits and hearings. Our in-house workshops have supported their learning along the way and the whole company Christmas party was a highlight that was thoroughly enjoyed 😃   Here is what Te Karira (TK) - Te Āti Awa, Taranaki Iwi, Nga Puhi - had to say about his internship: “As an incoming third year my professional experience at B&A has been incredibly helpful. The scope of work that B&A partners on has been immensely beneficial for my learning – from consenting, policy, and strategy to general admin; the skills I have gained will assist me through my upcoming studies and my future career.” We've enjoyed having our Interns working full time over the summer, and we're really pleased that they will stay with us part time as they continue their studies!

At the end of last year, our wonderful Wellington team moved offices!   You can now find us at Level 2, 60 Cuba Street.   We are loving the new, vibrant space, if you are in the area, feel free to stop by and say hello, or get in touch with any of the team for your planning needs!   Alicia, Ashleigh, Kaea, Nicole, Magdalena

Our wonderful Team Administrator is moving overseas so we will have a position available in our Auckland office! We're looking for an organized and proactive individual with excellent communication skills and a passion for providing top-notch administrative support. If you or someone you know is ready to take the next step in their career and be a part of the B&A team, please click the link below for more information and to apply. https://lnkd.in/gPyFqzVp

We are thrilled to close the year by celebrating our Urban Design & Landscape Architecture team!   Cam Wallace has become one of the first registered Urban Designers with the Urban Designers Institute of Aotearoa (UDIA). This outstanding milestone is a testament to his years of experience and passion for urban design. Congratulations, Cam! In addition, Francis Pierard's commitment to excellence has paid off as he is now a registered Landscape Architect with the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architecture (NZILA). His months of diligent study and determination have truly shone through. Well done, Frank! A huge congratulations to Cam and Frank – we are really proud of you both, and we look forward to more fantastic achievements in the future!