Michelle is a senior associate in the firm's local government and environment group. She assists corporate clients and territorial authorities with resource management issues, from providing strategic advice to managing resource consent applications and appeals.
Michelle has particular experience in assisting corporate clients in the minerals industry, specifically in relation to the Resource Management Act, Crown Minerals Act, Mining Act, and Coal Mines Act.
Michelle has an interest in climate change matters, particularly as they affect the minerals industry. Her experience also includes due diligence exercises.
Examples of Work
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New Zealand Minerals Industry Association - appeared in the Environment Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal in the leading litigation on the appropriate use of prohibited activity status
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New Zealand Minerals Industry Association - negotiating a settlement to resolve the appeal on the proposed Thames-Coromandel District Plan following hearings in the Environment Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal
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Winstone Aggregates and Mt Rex Shipping - obtaining the resource consents for increased sand extraction in the Kaipara harbour following appeals in the Environment Court
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Newmont Waihi Gold - obtaining the resource consents for the Favona underground gold and silver mine in Waihi, following the successful negotiation of a settlement to three Environment Court appeals
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Holcim (New Zealand) - obtaining the resource consents for a new quarry pit at the existing Bombay Quarry, following the resolution of Environment Court appeals through mediation
Other Credentials
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New Zealand Forms and Precedents, Mining and Resource Management Chapters - Co-author
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Environmental and Resource Management Law, 3rd Edition, Mining and Petroleum Chapter - Co-author
- Resource Management Law Association - Member
- Regular presenter at industry conferences within Australasia, including Minerals Conference 2005 and Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (New Zealand Branch) Conferences in 2006-2012
