Environmental Planning

Improve your knowledge of planning and produce your own research when you study towards a Master of Environmental Planning at the University of Waikato. You'll build on your undergraduate and graduate qualifications in this field.

Environmental Planning at Waikato develops your knowledge of how human behaviour affects the environment. We'll inspire you to understand how social, economic and cultural aspects, and the physical environment contribute to problems and provide solutions.

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Key information

Years:	1.0
Start Dates:	Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Estimated Fees* (Domestic):	$7,418 - $8,888 per year
Estimated Fees* (International):	$40,860 per year
Entry Requirements:	Postgraduate International
Area of Study:	Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
*Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.

Career opportunities

City Planner
Community Planner
Compliance Officer
Environmental Planner
Environmental Educator
Iwi Management Planner
Policy Analyst or Advisor
Private Consultant
Project Manager
Researcher
Resource Consent Planner
Reserves Planner
Transport Planner

Degree Planner

Papers

Papers available within Environmental Planning

Prescriptions for the PGCert(EnvPlan), PGDip(EnvPlan), BSocSc(Hons) and MEP

To complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Planning (PGCert(EnvPlan)) students must complete 60 points at 500 level, from ENVPL504, ENVPL509, ENVPL510, ENVPL512 and LEGAL535.

To complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Planning (PGDip(EnvPlan)) students must complete 120 points at 500 level, comprising ENVPL504, ENVPL508, ENVPL509, ENVPL510, ENVPL512, LEGAL535 and a further 30 points from papers listed for Environmental Planning.

To complete the BSocSc((Hons) EnvPlan)) students must complete 120 points at 500 level, from the papers listed for Environmental Planning.

To complete an MEP, students must normally complete 120 points at 500 level or above in papers listed for Environmental Planning, including either a 60-point dissertation (ENVPL592) or a 90-point thesis (ENVPL593) or 120-point thesis (ENVPL594). The degree includes the option of a practicum paper, which may be particularly suitable for those candidates employed in the planning profession. Students should note the prerequisite papers.

500 Level

Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
ENVPL502	Environmental Planning: Practicum	30.0	24X (Hamilton)
This paper is conducted in the workplace with supervision from University staff and a workplace supervisor or mentor. The aims of the paper are to broaden the student's practical planning experience, so that they develop confidence and sound judgement as autonomous planning professionals. The paper involves regular reflection on,...
ENVPL504	Plan Making	15.0	24B (Hamilton)
This paper covers the steps involved in plan-making and plan-implementation processes. This includes issues identification; visioning; definition of planning outcomes; development of programmes, policies and actions to achieve vision; and plan-implementation matters.
ENVPL505	Māori Environmental Management	15.0	24A (Hamilton)
This paper aims to extend student understanding of Maori environmental management in relation to Aotearoa-New Zealand's resource management and examines co-management, partnerships and collaboration with hapu and iwi in contemporary environmental management.
ENVPL508	Plans and Consents	15.0	24X (Block)
This paper is designed to provide students with skills and experience in the application of resource management plans and the resource consent process. Students are engaged in experiential learning relevant to the practice of environmental planning and management in Aotearoa-New Zealand.
ENVPL509	Urban Spatial Analysis	15.0	24B (Hamilton)
This paper will provide students with hands-on spatial analytical skills for environmental planning practice in an urban context. Students will develop quantitative problem solving and spatial thinking skills applied to real-world problems such as sea-level rise and housing inequality.
ENVPL510	Planning Theory	15.0	24B (Hamilton)
This paper discusses the various theories that influence how we plan our world. It will cover issues such as power, justice, governance, politics, neoliberalism, marxism, gender, democracy and environmental racism.
ENVPL512	Advanced Contemporary Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Environmental Planning	15.0	24B (Hamilton)
Through an investigation and critical review of current Aotearoa environmental planning regime students learn how to better support Maori and Indigenous communities to transform and decolonise resource management and environmental planning.
ENVPL590	Directed Study	30.0	24A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton)
Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff.
ENVPL591	Research Project	30.0	24I (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
ENVPL592	Dissertation	60.0	24X (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
ENVPL593	Environmental Planning Thesis	90.0	24X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
ENVPL594	Environmental Planning Thesis	120.0	24X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
GEOGY520	Human Dimensions of Environmental Change	30.0	24B (Hamilton)
This paper examines the increasing risks imposed on human communities by global environmental change. The paper establishes a platform for the critical analysis of human-environment relations by introducing students to important theoretical developments including the role of culture-nature dualisms, theories on population-environme...
GEOGY538	Automated Spatial Analysis using Geographic Information Systems	15.0	24X (Block)
Automated GIS, using programming or scripts, are extremely powerful compared to the 'point and click' environment, and are the most practical method for the spatial analysis of large data sets. GIS professionals are expected have the skills to write their own scripts, as well as execute and manipulate existing scripts. In this pape...
GEOGY558	Applied Geographic Information Systems for Research and Planning	15.0	24A (Hamilton)
GIS is used widely in a range of industries and government agencies, and graduates competent in GIS are sort after for employment. This paper is designed as an introduction to GIS for graduate students and is co-taught with GEOGY328. It covers all aspects of GIS analysis, including remote sensing and model building. ArcGIS Pro is u...
LEGAL535	Advanced Environmental Law	30.0	24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga)
This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Environmental Law. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words.
MAORI502	Sustainable Resource Issues	30.0	24A (Online)
This paper examines contemporary issues facing natural resource management among indigenous peoples with a particular focus on the experiences of Maori and Pacific peoples.
POLSC537	Environmental Politics and Public Policy	30.0	24A (Hamilton)
This paper introduces students to the complexities and challenges of environmental policy processes, and develops skills in scholarly research on environmental policy making. A significant focus of the paper is on analysing and understanding the complex intersections of institutions, culture, science and technology, and systems of ...