Master of Environmental Policy
Resource Management Planner, Waimakariri District Council
I came into the Master of Environmental Policy (MEP) course in 2003, from the University of Canterbury where I completed a Bachelor of Science (physical geography). I found the MEP to be a rewarding two years of study, both academically and socially.
I completed the MEP in 2004, after which I went to work in private consulting firm in Palmerston North. The nature of my job was focused on the private client sector-assisting clients with their resource management needs (preparing and lodging resource consents, and providing general RMA advice). The firm that I worked for was also employed by the Tararua District Council as its consulting district planner. Through this role I worked on the 10 year review of the review of the Tararua District Plan.
I am currently working at the Waimakariri District Council as a Resource Management Planner. A large part of my job involves consent processing and duty planner responsibilities, along with undertaking site inspections and investigations, as required. I find that every day is different working at a Council- there is a huge range of issues that the public enquire about and I enjoy the challenges and diversity that this brings.
I have now been out of university for two years and can see that benefits of completing the MEP are priceless. The interdisciplinary nature of the course has provided me with a good background to range of issues that I would not have developed on my own. I can see that completing the MEP is a great way to set you apart from the rest of the field, and provides its graduates with an edge that is well worth the study!