WORKING WITH US
A clear brief. The right team.
The Urbanist is an Auckland-based practice working across urban design, planning, landscape and environmental services. We help government, councils, iwi and developers make informed decisions about land, water and development, and respond to changing planning requirements. Our data-informed approach combines spatial evidence, professional judgement and local knowledge to assess constraints and opportunities and plan for resilient, regenerative places.
Download our capability statement (PDF) →
Practice details
Legal name: The Urbanist Limited
Established: December 2020
NZBN: 9429048872003
Company number: 8147851
View our Companies Register record →
People and credentials
Our practice is led by directors Zoë Avery and Jon Avery, bringing planning, design, strategy and technical expertise together around your project.
Zoë brings more than 20 years of experience across New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. She is a full member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and an affiliate member of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects. She also holds a part-time teaching and design leadership role at the University of Auckland.
Jon leads strategy and business development, with a focus on making evidence and technology useful for project decisions. He co-authored Auckland Council’s 2026 living roof report, TR2026/9.
Sarah Johnson brings senior planning, policy and urban design expertise. Kashfi Anam contributes urban design expertise. Ram Arumugam leads GIS, 3D modelling and visualisation. Mohammad Ali Ashouri Dahnesari specialises in geospatial and data analysis, supporting constraints, opportunities and options mapping.
Relevant experience
Explore how our planning, design and spatial work supports decisions about land, climate adaptation and nature.
Blue-green networks: regional framework development for Auckland Council, a Tātaki Auckland Unlimited venue portfolio assessment and a Manurewa assessment informing street-tree planting priorities. Regional framework development is ongoing.
Structural soil tree pits (GD19): co-authorship, expert consultation, document delivery, design and imagery for Auckland Council’s published guideline.
Living roof opportunities and recommendations: lead authorship, expert consultation, document delivery, design and imagery for Auckland Council report TR2026/9.
Whirinaki Papakāinga: masterplanning and flood adaptation with Te Hikūtū hapū and Northland Regional Council, alongside an economic development and employment strategy. Resource consent granted for the first 12 homes.
Ngahere Framework: a spatial and design framework for Kāinga Ora.
Kāinga Ora Open Space Guidelines: practical guidance for open space planning and design.
Aotea Centre: feasibility assessment of nature-based solutions.
Scope and procurement
Start with the decision you need to make. Share your brief, timing, required outputs and any procurement requirements with Jon or Zoë.
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance certificates are available on request. Contact Jon or Zoë to discuss your supplier onboarding requirements.
Working with iwi and hapū
Our role is to support the priorities and direction of iwi and hapū with planning, spatial and design expertise. Our experience includes the Te Ahiwaru Ahi Kaa Framework at Ihumātao and the Whirinaki Papakāinga masterplan, prepared with Te Hikūtū hapū and Northland Regional Council.
At the start of a brief, we welcome a discussion about leadership, engagement, cultural capability, and the ownership, access and use of information. These matters should be agreed with the iwi or hapū before cultural knowledge or sensitive data is included in project outputs.
Read the Whirinaki case study →
Read the Te Ahiwaru case study →
Talk to Jon or Zoë
Jon Avery · Director
+64 21 220 2200
jon@theurbanist.nz
Zoë Avery · Director
+64 21 832 908
zoe@theurbanist.nz