Peter Reaburn’s dedication and expertise as our Planning Manager have played a pivotal role in our journey to becoming a renowned planning and land development consultancy over the last 23 years.
We recently caught up with Peter to talk about his time at Cato Bolam and his passion for making great places.
Peter joined Cato Bolam in 2000 as our Planning Manager, bringing extensive experience from senior roles in local government planning at Napier, Upper Hutt, Waitemata, and Waitakere Councils. In 2002, he became a company shareholder and Director, overseeing our companywide resource management and planning services.
Throughout his 40+ year career, Peter has excelled in strategic and statutory planning and is greatly respected. As Cato Bolam’s Planning Manager, he led our teams, specialising in major land use, subdivision consents, and plan changes. He frequently served as an expert planning witness at council and Environment Court hearings, driven by his passion for community and environmental causes.
During his time at Cato Bolam, Peter has consistently pursued excellent outcomes for our clients, the community, and the environment. He has championed our planning team’s continuous growth, ensuring they stay abreast of the latest planning, legislative, and regulatory changes. His influence has been pivotal in fostering a shared commitment among our planning, surveying, engineering, architectural, environmental, and administration teams to our purpose of creating great places today and for generations to come.
In his retirement, Peter looks forward to reconnecting with family in his hometown of Napier and spending time on the water, training and competing with his Waka Ama friends. He intends to keep his planning expertise sharp through Hearing Commissioner work and consulting with our planning team when possible.
We asked Peter Reaburn five questions to learn more about the last 23 years with Cato Bolam.
What experiences or projects have stood out for you throughout your career at Cato Bolam?
Peter: “Westgate stands out among projects. Cato Bolam was fortunate to be involved at the very beginning. This area is now classified as one of Auckland’s main metropolitan centres. Cato Bolam provided a wide range of services from when the area was simply farmland to the rapidly developing centre it is today.
In terms of experience, it has been very rewarding to see Cato Bolam grow into the multidisciplinary, “one-stop shop” company it is now. Cato Bolam has been in business for over 50 years, and I believe it provides an excellent service to the development communities in the areas it serves.”
How did you stay passionate? What got you out of bed in the morning?
Peter: “My prime role was to ensure our planning team provided an excellent service to our private and public sector clients. But what I looked forward to every day was that same team contributing to protecting, enhancing, and generally providing a better environment for our future generations – that is what planning is about!”
What positive changes have you seen in land development over your career?
Peter: “The major change I have seen in the built environment is the trend towards greater urban intensification. While it must be done well, I have always been a supporter of making the best and most efficient use of our land resources and bringing communities closer so that we don’t need to rely on cars to get around. Pardon the pun, but we still have a long way to go!”
In your role as the well-being director for Cato Bolam, what were the values you worked to foster?
Peter: “My philosophy has always been that our most valued resource is our people. Cato Bolam has grown significantly over the years, but throughout the company, it has maintained a family culture. Everyone has their roles and responsibilities, but they are trusted and supported to pursue their careers to the best of their goals and abilities and to balance their working and home lives.”
In your opinion, what are the essential ingredients in “creating great places?”
Peter: “Cato Bolam is in the business of giving quality advice to its clients—that adds value not only economically but also socially, culturally, and environmentally. Whether it be a major residential development, an ecological restoration project, or a simple one- to two-lot subdivision, the test of creating great places is going back a few years later and being genuinely proud of what you see.”
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Peter for his 23 years with our Cato Bolam family and his significant contributions to our continued success as a leading planning and land development consultancy.
Great places are created by great people. Learn more about our people.
