Recent highlights/ appointments

  • Recognised in 2021 by independent Australasian legal ranking “Doyles Guide” as a recommended Environmental Barrister in New Zealand.

  • National Presenter of the Ministry for the Environment “Making Good Decisions” course for commissioner accreditation under s39B of the Resource Management Act 1991 since 2013.

  • Appointed under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Act 2020 to act as a Chair on the Papakura to Pukekōhe rail electrification resource consent application and the Waihoehoe Precinct (Drury Central) resource consent application.

  • Represented Hamilton City Council in negotiations with Watercare for the temporary assignment and return of part of Council’s water allocation from the Waikato River to Watercare during the 2020/2021 drought.

  • Principal advisor to Hamilton City Council on design and implementation of its development contributions regime under the LGA.

  • Principal advisor to Hamilton City Council on its response to the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 and RMA Reforms.

  • Principal advisor to Hamilton City Council’s submission to the Select Committee on the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 and Council’s implementation response.

  • Counsel for the Waikato Regional Property Trust, responsible for resolving all heritage and cultural issues associated with the delivery of the new Waikato Regional Theatre.

  • Counsel for successful applicant developers in Private Plan Change 37 to the Taupō District Plan – a request to change the zoning of 80ha hectares of rural land to residential land in Taupo to enable the future development of approximately 780 dwellings.

  • Counsel for Envirofert, one of the largest commercial recycling and composting sites in NZ, on its successful reconsenting application.

  • Advising Waikato Regional Council on Fonterra’s application to renew its discharge consents for its Hautapu milk treatment factory.

  • Advising various local authorities on Code of Conduct matters, including conducting independent investigations into complaints concerning elected member conduct.

  • Counsel for a land development company in Cambridge securing subdivision and land use consent for a 242 residential lot subdivision including sites for a school, retirement village, community and commercial centre, recreation facilities, recreation reserves and stormwater network.