Simon O’Connor
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Simon has more than twenty years of town planning experience in both the public and private sectors. He has significant Auckland-wide and international experience as a principal planner at Auckland Council and its predecessors in the policy and regulatory divisions.
Simon has also worked for the most prominent independent planning consultancy in the United Kingdom and held a principal role within the major projects team within London’s third-largest borough.
He is an experienced property developer in his own right, having developed and funded his own projects, including high-end terraced schemes as well as several new dwellings, subdivisions and minor units over the last 15 years, and is renowned for getting to best yields out of schemes to provide the best outcomes for his clients.
Simon is a regular guest speaker on Radio NZ, Newstalk ZB, Investor Magazine and teaching development planning at many independent schools. Simon proudly assists local charities with important pro bono projects, such as the Takapuna Beach Playground and Pet Refuge NZ, on which he is working with his friend Julie Chapman.
He is a trusted advisor to the likes of Stonewood Homes (John & Michael Chow), Stonewood Key Capital (John & Michael Chow and John & Max Key), Signature Homes, Mike Greer Homes, Waide Construction, Unispot, Auckland Transport, Auckland Parks, Auckland Council, The Whatu Ora (Health NZ) and many others. Simon is actively involved in the community as a member of the North Harbour Charity Club and the Takapuna Beach Business Association committee member.
Simon established Sentinel Planning in 2013 and grew it into a fantastic team with diverse experience, knowledge, and aim to provide the best solutions for their clients.
When Simon isn’t at Sentinel Planning, he can be found on the water or golf course, reading in the sun, following his horses or cooking for friends and family.