Who is she?

I’m Emma — a qualified urban planner originally from Whangārei, now based in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland. I’ve been working in the urban profession for the past decade.

I hold degrees in Communications, Design, and Urban Planning and have recently completed the International CPTED Certified Practitioner course with the International CPTED Association.

I’m an advocate for community development, safe neighbourhoods and towns, an elected member of the Albert-Eden Local Board, an illustrator, graphic designer, writer, and speaker. And my favourite — and most important — role: I’m also a mother.

I've worked with and for various transport planning, landscape architecture, housing and community development consultancies over the last decade, and have more recently begun freelancing.

I am passionate about equitable and inclusive towns and cities. I co-founded Women in Urbanism in 2018 as a response to equity issues I could see both within the industries that build our cities, and on the streets, public spaces and transport systems we use everyday.

I also founded the Waterview Community & Enviro Hub in 2025, to better connect residents to one another. We are together building a community that is strong, resilient and trusting in one another. We know this will make a safer community for us all. Community Hubs are vital infrastructure, and having a network of sustainable places community can gather in as their “third spaces” is critically important.