Help Lead the Future of Transport System Performance
Location: Wellington or Auckland preferred
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Are you a visionary leader ready to shape the future of Aotearoa’s transport system? NZTA is seeking a dynamic and strategic Manager to lead a high-performing team of transport planners across New Zealand.
This is a pivotal role, where your influence will extend across vision setting, planning, design, delivery and operation of the transport network—ensuring our transport solutions are safe, sustainable, and future-ready.
Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity
We’re looking for a Manager Transport Planning to lead a high-performing team of transport planners. In this role, you’ll shape the future of the transport network, leading an exceptional team of transport planning leaders who act as system-thinking leaders and transport planning subject matter experts across NZTA’s investment case and broader transport planning work. Your team will be involved in a wide variety of projects, from small to large-scale city-shaping transport projects, working with a range of internal and external stakeholders regionally and nationally.
What You’ll Do
You’ll bring your extensive leadership experience to this role, having previous experience being a leader of leaders. What’s more, you’ll thrive in the leadership space—motivating and empowering others, navigating complexity with confidence, and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. In addition, you’ll:
Lead and inspire a diverse team of technical experts, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous growth.
Champion change, embedding systems-thinking and innovation across the team and wider organisation.
Deliver impact by shaping integrated transport solutions that prioritise whole-of -life efficiency and sustainability and championing identified project benefits and system-thinking outcomes.
Build capability in transport planning, growing and maintaining a technical discipline that sets industry benchmarks.
You can find out more about the role in the position description here
Ko koe tēnei | About you
What You’ll Bring
Proven experience in leading high-performing teams, with a strong emphasis on coaching, development, and inclusive leadership.
Demonstrated success in change leadership, navigating complexity and aligning people around a shared vision.
Expertise in transport planning, with a track record of building and growing technical disciplines.
A collaborative mindset and the ability to work across boundaries to deliver integrated, people-centred solutions.
Mō mātou |About Us
The Planning, Performance and Safety team sits at the heart of NZTA’s System Design practice. We are responsible for integrating transport planning, environmental planning, and safety performance to deliver a connected, resilient, and people-centred transport system. We work in partnership with stakeholders to design it right from the start, drive continuous improvement, and enable economic prosperity through integrated planning and delivery.
Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return
At NZTA, we are more than a transport agency—we are kaitiaki of the land transport system. We work in partnership to design and deliver solutions that connect people, products, and places for a thriving Aotearoa. Join us and be part of a team that’s making a real difference. We also offer a number of benefits including:
Competitive salary and benefits package
Flexible working arrangements ·
Along with our other benefits, we also have 5 weeks annual leave and an Income Protection and Critical illness Insurance scheme available for all permanent employees.
Ready to take the next step in your career? We’d love to hear from you. Apply today and join our join our team who is going places.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply:
Please click apply to upload your CV and cover letter detailing your suitability for the role.
Rā Katinga | Applications close:
24 January 2026For further information, email: careers@nzta.govt.nz
To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.
Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.
Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.