Dee Isaacs LLB/LLM/PGDipInterpTrans Specialised Māori text

Tamaki MakaurauArchitecture, Landscape Architecture, Design, Environmental Planning and Management, Project Management and Strategy, Co-Design

Te Aupōuri, Tūwharetoa, Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi

Dee is currently working for a consultancy in the private sector, having previously worked in local government as a principal planner.

During his time working with local government, he saw some benefits and frustrations to his work environment. These challenges allowed Dee to assist with making changes to enable local government to be a more effective Treaty partner

Kāhore te kūmara e kōrero ki tōna ake reka – The kumara speaks not of its own sweetness.

This proverb speaks of humility, which is an underpinning value which guides Dee when working to enable Māori aspirations within a statutory planning framework.

The privilege of working mā te Māori mō te Māori (with Māori for Māori) can only be realised when iwi narratives are shared (that in itself is its own privilege, often missed) and you are able to navigate, and implement into urban design and planning outcomes, those conversations (whakatīnanahia te kōrero)

I would like to ensure I leave a positive legacy for my people (Māori). Every time we (Māori) are asked to be part of a project or to do public speaking, ask yourself, might our people benefit or be disadvantaged from this request?

Dee works between Auckland and Waikato and travels across country as a principal planner. He is co-chair of Papa Pounamu a technical interest group which aligns with the special interest groups within the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI). This group focuses on the role of Māori in the New Zealand planning framework and the integration of Māori perspectives in resource management planning and decision-making and a member of the Auckland Urban Design Panel Governance Board

Finally Dee has a personal commitment to enabling Māori aspirations te reo Māori me ōna tikanga