Auckland’s population is expected to rise to 2.4 million in the next 30 years, so the decisions we make today about our housing and infrastructure need to be done with an eye on the future. How do we make good planning and investment decisions so that our region can thrive, and so all Aucklanders - including future generations - enjoy a good quality of life?

In this presentation, Penny Pirrit (Director, Urban Growth & Housing) and Michael Burns (Manager, Financial Strategy) will discuss how Auckland Council is planning for the future and share some of the challenges being faced by decision-makers in the face of unprecedented growth.



Penny Pirrit is an executive leader with over 25 years’ experience working in the governance, leadership, planning, environmental and transport areas.

As the Director Urban Growth and Housing within Auckland Council’s executive leadership team, Penny is responsible for championing Auckland’s urban growth story and for ensuring Auckland Council manages growth in a robust, integrated and efficient manner.

Prior to this Penny was Director, Regulatory Services responsible for a directorate providing resource consent, building consent, regulatory engineering and licensing and regulatory compliance services to Auckland.

From 2010-2015 she was the General Manager, Plans and Places where she led the development of the Unitary Plan, the new resource management plan for Auckland.

Penny is a member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and in 2013 she was awarded a NZ Planning Institute Distinguished Service Award in recognition of “her significant contribution to the field of planning”.


Michael Burns is the Manager, Financial Strategy at Auckland Council.

Michael has held a number of senior financial positions at Auckland Council and he has extensive experience in the areas of funding and financing, financial modelling, and business performance.

Prior to joining Auckland Council, Michael worked as an accountant in London. Michael holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Auckland.