University of Waikato

What you'll study

The programme covers the scientific, legal, social and technical aspects of environmental planning. Core topics typically include resource and environmental policy, environmental impact assessment, statutory planning and the Resource Management framework, spatial analysis and GIS, landscape and land-use planning, freshwater and coastal management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and methods for public participation and stakeholder engagement.

Study is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, fieldwork and applied projects. Students learn practical skills in mapping and spatial data analysis, undertake case studies with local councils or iwi, and develop competencies in writing management plans and preparing consent documentation. Many students complete a capstone project or an applied research assignment that brings together theory and practice.

Entry requirements

Admission is normally at undergraduate level and requires meeting the University of Waikato's general entry requirements for a bachelor degree. For domestic applicants this commonly means University Entrance via the national qualification framework (for example NCEA Level 3) including literacy requirements; achievement in subjects such as geography, biology, chemistry, environmental science or mathematics is recommended. International applicants should hold an equivalent secondary-school qualification.

Applicants whose first language is not English will need to meet the university's English-language proficiency requirements. Where relevant, some prior experience or demonstrated interest in environmental issues, community work, or technical subjects (e.g. GIS, statistics) can strengthen an application.

Career prospects

Graduates are well placed for roles in local and regional government, environmental consultancies, iwi and hapū planning units, resource management agencies, non‑governmental organisations and private industry. Typical positions include resource-management planner, environmental consultant, policy analyst, consenting officer, coastal or freshwater planner, community engagement advisor, sustainability officer and GIS technician. The degree also provides a pathway to postgraduate study in planning, environmental science, law or related disciplines.

Why study at University of Waikato

The University of Waikato offers an applied, interdisciplinary approach to environmental planning with strong links to regional councils, Māori organisations and community stakeholders across the Waikato region. Students benefit from hands-on fieldwork across a range of environments—coastal, lake, river and agricultural landscapes—and practical training in GIS and impact assessment tools. Teaching emphasises integration of tikanga Māori and Treaty of Waitangi perspectives in planning practice, preparing graduates to work effectively in New Zealand’s bicultural planning context.

Additionally, the university’s smaller class sizes support close academic supervision and opportunities for collaborative research projects with academics and local partners, helping students build a professional network ahead of graduation.