Sweetman Planning Services

25/06/2025

Yesterday was a monumental day in my career, with the Council approving the Hearing Panels', which I chaired, recommendations on the Proposed Waimakariri District Plan and its two Variations. As alway, I'll watch what happens next with interest.

20/12/2024

And, that's a wrap for 2024. I've had another rewarding work year, made even better by my fantastic clients and colleagues.

I'm looking forward to switching off and leaving my laptops closed for the next three weeks. I'll be back online on the 13th January.

I wish you all a very relaxing holiday period. See you in 2025!

25/08/2024

20/12/2023

Kia pai nga harearei.

Kia ora tatou. I wish you all a relaxing and restful, and if you’re like me, a much needed holiday break.

It’s been a pleasure working for, with and alongside you all this year. As always, I’ve been kept challenged and on my toes. It doesn’t seem to get any simpler does it? Rather, it feels like this year has thrown even more complexity into the already complex world of RM and local government. Bring on 2024 and what seems to promise to be a lot more challenges. We’re all in this together though, which makes it that little bit easier.

Ngā mihi ki a koutou.

Gina

The Taupō District has three main towns, Taupō, Tūrangi and Mangakino. Taupō is nestled on the shores of Lake Taupō from which the Waikato River flows.

02/05/2023

I am pleased to have been re-appointed by the Minister for Local Government for another three years as one of the 12 Development Contribution Commissioners nationwide:

Development Contributions Commissioners are appointed by the Minister of Local Government under section 199F of the Local Government Act 2002.

20/04/2023

Ka rawe Te Kokiringa Taumata NZPI. I fully endorse the new vision, purpose and strategy going forward. As I still say, 30 years on, I'm a planner as I want to help make Aotearoa and the world a better place.

12/03/2023

It's quite the milestone for me, and the Porirua City District Plan policy team. Today marks the start of the last hearing stream for the Proposed Porirua District Plan.

I was first engaged by the Council in June 2015, when the Council decided to proceed on a full review. Along with working with some great planners, it's been a career highlight to work through a whole plan review, from start to end. And I'm pretty proud of what the team has delivered through that time.

Of course, we've still got recommendations and decisions to come...

23/02/2023

It's my eldest niece's 30th birthday today. I track my career progress from her birthday, as I snuck into hospital to see her the day she was born, a few weeks into my first job at Manukau City Council (naughty me using ratepayer money to do that while on a site visit).

So, with Sam 30 today, it's also a 30 years as a planner anniversary to me. Where did that time go? I still love it as much as I did then. Maybe more. And I still want to make the world a better place.

21/12/2022

Wishing all my colleagues and connections a restful holiday break. I hope you have quality time to recharge. See you in 2023.