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Louise H, Policy Adviser

The Council's scholarship programme was just the ticket for Louise. Not only did she get money toward her university fees and paid work experience in the holidays, she also had the security of a job at the end of her studies. In turn she's been able to pay her student loan off quickly and have a wonderful OE!

Watch Louise's video about life in New Plymouth and work at the Council on YouTube. 

How many years have you worked in local government?

Four and a half years in total. On and off I have worked for New Plymouth District Council for three years, including one year as part of the Council’s scholarship programme. After 18 months in the UK I returned to New Plymouth and I am back working for NPDC as a Policy Adviser. In the UK I worked for the London Borough of Redbridge for a year as a policy planner and for Wakefield City Metropolitan District Council for three months, processing resource consents.  

Describe your job

My job title is Policy Adviser. Essentially I am a policy planner working on the review of the District Plan.

This is hard to explain in brief! Planners work on a wide range of issues relating to the natural and built environment, such as urban design, transport, housing, parks and recreation and urban and rural development.  

What skills do you need to do your job? 

There are a range of skills you require as a planner. Time management, the ability to think strategically, and the ability to work under pressure and within a political environment are crucial.

Written and oral communication skills, and people skills are essential. An ability to read and work with legislation, such as the Resource Management Act and the Local Government Act, is also an important part of a planners job as the legislation governs the process planners work within. 

What qualifications do you have? 

I have a BRP (Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning with honours) from Massey University.

I was lucky to be offered a place on the Council's scholarship programme which helped pay my last year of uni fees, offered paid work experience in the holidays and a job when I finished my degree. It was great knowing I didn't have to look for a job in my final year of uni, and it also meant that I finished uni with a smaller student loan which was easier to pay off. Return to top

What is the opportunity for progression?

After graduating from uni, I began my career at the Council processing resource consents before moving to the Environmental Strategy and Policy Team to work as a policy adviser. There is also scope to work within different areas of the Council as a planner, for example processing resource consents and policy planning as well as outside the Council for private organisations. 

What do you like most about your job?

The variety and range of work I can do as a planner is great. I like the way I am always challenged and exposed to new things. The nature of planning is that the landscape is always changing. For instance, the central government review of the Resource Management Act will create changes which we will need to learn about and administer at a local level.  

What do you like most about working in local government?

The experience and career development I have gained, not only through the projects I have worked on but also via the planners I work alongside. I work in a team of seven, so there’s always someone to bounce ideas off or offer an insight into what I am working on.

What do you like about working for NPDC?

I work in a friendly, supportive team which creates a great working environment. After my experience in the UK I really appreciate being in the same building as my colleagues (in Redbridge we were spread across a number of sites). I also appreciate only having a ten minute commute to work. Again, comparing to the UK I had a two hour commute each day which really impacted on my work life balance and ability to take part in after work activities. 

What makes NPDC a good employer?

We have a really supportive and approachable management team and fair remuneration through the market rates scheme implemented a few years ago.

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