WSP partners with iwi to develop regional spatial plans

The work will see WSP partner with iwi to create spatial plans setting out how land, infrastructure, development, and environmental protection should be managed over the long term. 

Mātauranga Māori expertise and knowledge systems will be combined with Western planning expertise, data science and digital tools, turning what are often separate processes into integrated, future-focused planning frameworks. 

A key part of the work is combining WSP’s planning expertise with advanced data analytics from the WSP Harmonic team and geospatial modelling. Māori data sovereignty will be a feature, with iwi retaining control over their data and knowledge. 

WSP Kaitohutohu Māori – Tumuaki (Principal Consultant – Māori) Nathan Capper says the work will reflect a way of thinking about place that Māori have long held – seeing land, water, people, and resources as interconnected systems, and planning for the long term. 

That perspective is increasingly urgent as Aotearoa faces mounting pressure from climate change, population growth, and infrastructure demand. 

“Rather than short-term or piecemeal planning, the work we’ll be doing with iwi is designed to bring everything together – growth, resilience, investment, and environmental protection – into a single direction of travel,” says Nathan. 

He says the timing of the work couldn’t be more important. 

“With new resource management legislation on the way, there’s soon going to be a much stronger focus on regional spatial planning. What’s been missing is how iwi are supported to partner and help lead that work in a meaningful way. 

“This is about more than meeting regulatory requirements. Iwi have always planned for the long term – aware of how land, water and communities are sustained across generations. What we’re doing is helping bring that knowledge into the centre of planning. 

“We’re excited about beginning this work. It has the potential to reshape how Aotearoa plans for growth and resilience, setting the standard for genuine partnership and bringing iwi frameworks into the heart of decision-making.”