Join our PIA and NZPI Emerging Planners to learn more about the planning profession in Australia and New Zealand and explore the role of our planning associations.
Let’s learn together our similarities and differences through a panel and Q&A!
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Amy Wilkins MPIA
PIA Emerging Planner Director
About Amy
Amy is a Senior Social Planner at CRED Consulting. She has 6 years’
experience in statutory planning, strategic planning, urban design and
place activation. She is passionate about social justice and skilled at
project management co-ordination, research and policy and has an in
depth understanding of the NSW Planning System. She has actively
contributed to numerous social and strategic planning projects
throughout Greater Sydney and Regional NSW.
Amy champions the planning practice for young and emerging planners in
the industry. Previously serving as Co-Convenor of the Planning
Institute of Australia’s NSW Young Planner’s Committee, her dedication
to the profession has been recognised at the national level, with her
appointment to the PIA Board as Emerging Planner Director in 2024.
Amy is an advocate for women’s rights, with a particular focus on
women’s safety in public spaces at night. Her significant contributions
have been recognised with accolades at both the NSW and National Awards
for Planning Excellence in 2022/2023.
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Hugh McIntyre MPIA
Convenor of the Victorian Emerging Planners Committee
About Hugh
Hugh McIntyre is the 2026 Convenor of the Victorian Emerging Planners
Committee, excited to engage emerging planners with the industry and bring them
to the table in discussions on state and national policy. Beyond PIA, Hugh
founded Zesty Planning in 2024 which provides town planning services to private
and government clients.
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Grace Elliott MPIA
Convenor of the Tasmanian Emerging Planners
Committee
About Grace
Grace is an early-career planner with four
years’ experience in statutory and strategic planning across consulting and
local government roles. Working as a Planner at Era Advisory, she provides
planning services to diverse clients across Tasmania, delivering approvals and
contributing to strategic planning processes. Grace holds a Bachelors
degree in geography and environment and is passionate about planning for
sustainable and liveable communities. Her Master of Planning thesis explored
the drivers, barriers and enablers of school-based urban greening for climate
adaptation, and was recognised at both the TAS and National Awards for Planning
Excellence. An active member of the local planning community, Grace
currently serves as the Convenor of the Tasmanian Emerging Planners Committee
and enjoys championing the planning profession in Tasmania. She has been
recognised for her contributions to the industry, receiving the award for
Tasmanian Emerging Planner of the year in 2025.
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Matt Campbell
Planner at WSP New Zealand, based in the Otautahi Christchurch
About Matt
Matt is a Planner at WSP New Zealand, based in the Otautahi Christchurch office. During his time at WSP, Matt has been involved in a wide range of projects across the Aotearoa, from small and large private clients to public agencies. Matt was the Emerging Planners Regional Representative for Southland from 2023-2025 where he championed the issues, concerns and positive stories coming out of Southland. In July 2025, Matt was elected as the National Emerging Planners Representative, leading a dedicated team of representatives from accredited university planning programmes and regional representatives. Matt is passionate about ensuring the Emerging Planners perspective is heard at a national level, being actively involved in national discussions about planning legislation reform.
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Maisie Fisher
Planner at Barker & Associates
About Maisie
Maisie
Fisher is a planner at Barker & Associates, with experience across
resource management, strategic planning, natural hazards and climate
adaptation. She holds a Master of Planning with Distinction from the
University of Otago, where her research explored rural community
resilience to natural hazards, with a focus on the role of local
knowledge, relationships and grassroots leadership in supporting
community-led resilience-building. Maisie
is an Intermediate Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and
Chair of the Canterbury/Westland Emerging Planners Committee. Through
this role, she is actively involved in supporting early-career planners,
creating opportunities for professional connection, and contributing to
conversations about the future of the planning profession in Aotearoa
New Zealand. Her work and interests sit at the
intersection of planning, climate resilience and community engagement,
with a focus on how planning can support locally responsive and
practical outcomes. She has contributed to a range of urban, rural and
coastal projects, including resource consent processes, strategic
planning, natural hazards planning and adaptation work.
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William Thursfield
Project Manager at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), based in Auckland
About William
William is a Project Manager at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA),
based in Auckland, where he works within the national infrastructure delivery
team. He holds a Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) and has developed
experience in environmental planning, infrastructure delivery, and the
management of complex transport projects. William is passionate about the role
planning plays in shaping communities and improving social and economic
outcomes through well-designed infrastructure. He is also actively involved in
the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI), serving as the Auckland Emerging
Planners Representative and lead of the local committee, supporting the
development of early-career planning professionals.
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