At Bentley & Co., our success is driven by a team of high-calibre professionals committed to excellence and delivering exceptional results. Our approach is founded on critical thinking, agile problem-solving, and a strong focus on cultural awareness and collaborative relationships.
Founded in 1981 by Jim Bentley and now led by Craig McGarr, Mark Arbuthnot, and Siani Walker, our team possesses deep expertise in Resource Management and Māori planning matters. This extensive experience allows us to provide comprehensive planning and resource management advice, as well as strategic guidance tailored to the unique requirements of every project.
Our diverse skillset and hands-on experience enable us to address complex challenges, respecting cultural values, and fostering meaningful relationships. Whether your project is large or small, our pragmatic and visionary approach ensures that we deliver optimal outcomes every time.
Contact us today to discover how our expertise can help you succeed now and into the future.
After 30 years in the profession, Craig McGarr knows a thing or two about Resource Management. Known for his direct approach, practical know-how and unparalleled understanding of the business, Craig offers a level of expertise that’s second-to-none.
Knowing the game inside out is the key to providing a premier service. Sought after for his expertise in strategic
solutions for large capital projects, together with his experience across all sectors, Craig’s specialist advice will save you time, money and stress.
For a clear understanding of what you can achieve, talk to Craig today. He’ll walk you through your best options, with considered, forward-thinking advice.
A member of the Bentley & Co. team since 2005, Mark Arbuthnot is a Director and senior practitioner. With a background in local authority town planning, and 20 years’ experience in both the public and private sectors, Mark has a wide range of experience in finding solutions to complex consenting issues.
Mark’s most recent work has included advising Ports of Auckland Limited on a wide range of projects, including their hydrogen production and refuelling facility, vehicle handling facility, and marine dumping permit under the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf Act. He also obtained resource consent for their inland freight hub activities at Wiri and Waikato.
He is involved with the ongoing master planning and consenting of the Tauranga Crossing regional shopping centre and the Depot large format retail development at Tauriko, Tauranga, and advises Lendlease in respect of their Mall portfolio in New Zealand.
Mark was also responsible for the consenting of the first stage of the Wynyard Quarter redevelopment, including the Daldy Street, Jellicoe Street, Karanga Plaza, North Wharf and Silo Park public realm environments and associated infrastructure, together with the tramway and the North Wharf food and beverage activities.
Tēnā tātou. He uri tēnei nō Te Awa Tupua, arā ko Te Āti Haunui-a-Paparangi, ko Ngāti Tamakōpiri, ko Ngāti Rangi; nō Te Tai Tokerau, arā ko Ngapuhi / Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, oku iwi. Tēnei rā te mihi.
Siani is an experienced planner specialising in providing advice for Māori land development, iwi engagement, and cultural heritage. With a decade at Auckland Council, focusing on Treaty Settlements, Māori cultural heritage, and open space policy, she joined Bentley & Co. in 2019 and became a Director in 2023. Siani holds various governance roles, including as an Advisory Trustee related to Te Awa Tupua.
Siani’s expertise lies in integrating Māori principles into resource management, providing strategic advice to iwi, councils, and developers. She assists with iwi management plans, cultural values assessments, and planning frameworks that align with tikanga Māori, iwi aspirations, and legislative requirements. Building and maintaining strong relationships with iwi and hapū is central to her work, ensuring culturally responsive outcomes.
As a qualified independent commissioner, Siani has been appointed to regional and district Hearing Panels, including the Far North District Council, Auckland Council, Hamilton City Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, and the Environment Protection Authority. She values face-to-face engagement, fostering meaningful connections to support Māori aspirations in planning and development.
Anthony has been with Bentley & Co. since 2012 and possesses a broad range of Resource Management experience. He thrives on providing quality planning advice and finds it particularly satisfying when the outcomes he achieves stand up to the client’s needs.
He is skilled in the analysis of policy provisions and processes, providing advice to a range of clients as to their implications, and is regularly involved in Plan Review processes nationwide.
Anthony’s work spans across many sectors of the planning industry, including: the delivery of multi-unit residential and greenfield developments; strategic advice, policy development and the consenting of large scale social infrastructure for the Auckland District Health Board and Mercy Hospital; and strategic advice and consenting of complex waste management infrastructure for WM New Zealand. Anthony advises a wide range of outdoor media clients, and is well versed in the complex regulatory environment of this sector, helping clients achieve nationwide roll-outs of their digital media networks.
Anthony has been sought out to assist with the expansion of existing school facilities for the Ministry of Education across the North Island.
Since joining the team in 2016 after graduating, Matt has worked on a broad range of commercial and residential developments across the country, with a particular focus on projects within the retirement village and fast-food restaurant sectors.
Matt is experienced in the consenting, including through fast-track processes, of comprehensive retirement village developments nationwide, including for Oceania Healthcare, Summerset Group, and Generus Living.
He was the Planner for Auckland Transport’s Parnell Underpass project, and is currently involved with consenting Pacific Padel’s nationwide rollout.
Matt enjoys preparing quality planning advice for his clients, as well as coordinating projects within a development team, and preparing resource consent documentation for a wide variety private sector clients. Matt strives towards achieving the best outcome possible and takes joy in seeing his projects come to life in the real world.
Since starting her career in 2007, Glodia has over 15 years of professional experience as a Planner in the private and public sectors, both in New Zealand and overseas. She holds a Master's Degree in Urban Design (Hons) and has worked on a wide variety of projects.
After working at a multidisciplinary consultancy in Auckland for 4 years, Glodia moved to Singapore where she worked on several significant planning projects for the Government's Planning Authority, including the 'Cross-Island Rail Line', and the master planning of Punggol Township.
In 2014, Glodia returned to New Zealand and focused her work on delivering successful multi-unit residential and mixed-use developments in the Auckland region, driven by her passion for achieving great outcomes for clients and the community through effective communication and collaboration.
Since joining Bentley & Co. in 2022, Glodia has worked on a diverse range of projects, including outdoor media projects in the Auckland region, motor vehicle dealerships nationwide, and multi-unit residential development at Kensington Park (Orewa). She has also been involved in preparing submissions and evidence for Notices of Requirement. With her broad resource management experience, she is committed to delivering practical and well-considered planning solutions that achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients while balancing regulatory requirements.
Kelby joined Bentley & Co. in August 2022 after graduating from the University of Auckland with a degree in Urban Planning(Hons). Having previous experience as an intern at planning and architecture firm Archiland, Kelby has started his career in the planning world.
Kelby shows a strong interest in multiple fields of planning, including transportation, residential, commercial, and environmental projects. He has an interest in developing his planning knowledge and skills and aims to help clients achieve their goals and provide planning advice in a concise and friendly style.
As a Graduate Planner, Kelby provides general support to the team at Bentley & Co. across a wide range of projects as he develops his skills. This includes research, the review of proposed plan changes, and the preparation of resource consent applications and due diligence analysis.
Kelby is integrally involved in managing the strategic planning and consenting of the Restaurant Brands portfolio across New Zealand, including KFC, Pizza Hut, and the roll-out of Taco Bell.
Priya started at Bentley & Co. in 2022 while completing her Master’s in Urban Planning and Urban Design. Since transitioning into a Planner role, she has focused on building strong client relationships and fostering a robust professional network.
Since starting with Bentley & Co., Priya has been involved in industrial redevelopments, supermarket developments, service centres, and due diligence for prospective property acquisitions and developments. With a keen eye for detail, Priya excels at coordinating the many facets of resource consenting, including managing and reviewing the deliverables of project teams, and proactively identifying and addressing risks that arise during the preliminary design and resource consent processes.
Priya’s dedication to continual learning and professional development ensures she remains well-informed about the latest trends and national direction in the planning industry.
Priya is especially passionate about iwi and stakeholder engagement, where her approachable personality, analytical thinking, and creativity shine. She takes pride in finding solutions that balance positive social and environmental outcomes with the achievement of project goals.
Shakira joined the Bentley & Co. team as an Intern in2024, while completing her second year of her Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours)at the University of Auckland. Shakira has an interest in learning more about urban planning in a professional practice, and applying the concepts she learns from university in the real world.
She is interested in learning more about our processes as resource management planners, and learning more about legislation, and the incorporation of iwi / hapū into sustainable planning practices.
Shakira works on various projects at Bentley & Co. and helps to provide advice to clients, researching and reviewing proposed policy and plan change documents.
Shakira is excited to grow her connections, skills and make a positive impact through her internship.
