What's it really like? 

We have two offices in lovely locations - one in Martinborough, and one in Taupō - and use co-working spaces in Christchurch. But really, we are all set up to work anywhere! No kidding - laptops, phones, and the cloud mean we can work in the office, from home, at a client's, or even in an Air B&B when we're on the road.

We're a mix of full and part-timers. Our work culture is built on an amazing life-work balance, supporting each other to live up to our values (to be passionate, engaging, creative, and to make a positive difference) and to smash the gender pay gap. We take great pride in our work and in each other, and we walk the talk on sustainability and getting great outcomes for the environment.

Deborah Kissick / Planner

He aha te mea nui o te ao   
What is the most important thing in the world?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata   
​It is the people, it is the people, it is the people

​- Maori proverb

​When I joined Perception Planning, I feel like I found my people. People who care - about each other and the work we do, work hard, strive for great outcomes and embrace our inner (or outer!) geek… all while supporting and encouraging each other, and having a laugh along the way.

We also challenge the norm. We don’t just go with the status quo, or the way “things” have always been done. We’re always looking for the best way to do something and learning from past projects to make the next ones even better.

Phillip Percy / Director

I love the creative and positive people that I work with!

​I also love that our definition of business profitability is not about making as much money as possible, but about achieving the best overall positive outcomes that we can.

Lucy Cooper / Senior Planner

The sense of being part of a team is really strong here. We support and encourage one another to be the best we can be. That’s very empowering, particularly when embarking on a new project or area of work, or when you need that extra push to help you work through a gnarly problem or difficult challenge.

​​It's also a very kind and compassionate place to work - we are planners but we are people too! I feel enabled and supported to fulfil all my dreams and aspirations, both inside and outside of work.

Helen Marr / Director

Opportunities: To do lots of different things, to work with amazing people, to grow my work in any direction I choose (and that everyone can do that).  

Exciting workplace: We really walk the talk on sustainability, smashing the gender pay gap/glass ceiling and work-life balance.

Values: We are values based, we don't sell our soul or our expertise to the highest bidder. I could go on and on and on...

Rachel Griffiths / Ecologist

It's like I have found 'my people' - we all have very different backgrounds and ways of working but it really feels like we compliment each other with our individuality/unique skills to bring that magical 'sum of the parts is greater than the whole' thing to life... I always feel completely supported, listened to and help is always there if I need it. Conversations are always funny, interesting, often quite random... and I learn something new EVERY day. I really actually do.

Rachael Annan / Senior Landscape Planner

Working within a values-based company is really important to me. We have a great ‘down-to-earth’ and fun team. I get to do the work I’m passionate about; working within the resource consent process to help get the best ‘on the ground’ results. It’s great to also work among other creatives who understand my very valid other interests… sewing, knitting and macramé.

My version of a happy, healthy and sustainable work-life balance is that I work part time. While I’m still available for meetings and hearings as required, I’m also able to pick my kids up from school almost every week day. Our work culture is completely supportive and we get great things done!

Debbie Donaldson / Planner

Perception Planning is full of passionate people who want great outcomes! We have a really flexible workplace in terms of location (I work from home sometimes) and time, making the work/life balance/struggle so much easier. Perception Planning is a very friendly, supportive and creative environment.

Jen Olson / Technical Communicator

Where do I start?! The people are the greatest and work on a wide variety of environmental projects - helping councils write great policy, getting involved in freshwater legislation, and working with iwi on resource management issues. We are a welcoming team: everyone jumps in to help each other with jobs or tricky things all the time. There are two friendly offices in Taupō and Martinborough, and energetic co-working spaces in Christchurch. And we can work from home or wherever when we need to.

Having lives is important at PPL, and in addition to doing really great environmental work, we all fit in our other interests - sewing, writing kid's books, cycling, gardening, parenting, photography, volunteering, hula-hooping, cooking, golf, art, tramping...