Padraig (Paddy) is one of New Zealand’s leading local government and resource management lawyers, and a trusted advisor to some of New Zealand’s largest councils and council-controlled organisations (CCOs).

As an advisor, Paddy’s main areas of expertise include resource management (with a particular focus on consents and designations for water supply, wastewater and storm water infrastructure), local government powers and decision-making, roading and land transport, regulation of water services, bylaws, sale and supply of alcohol, official information, and climate change.

Paddy is also one of New Zealand’s most experienced public law litigators.  He regularly appears for clients in judicial review and other public law proceedings in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Paddy is a member of the Resource Management Law Association and has been a regular presenter for the Resource Management Law Association, NZ Planning Institute, Water New Zealand, Taituarā (Society of Local Government Managers) and NZ Law Society events.

Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024
Public Law

Leading Lawyer

Asia Pacific Legal 500 2024
Projects & Resource Management

Leading Lawyer

Work Highlights

Watercare

Obtaining resource consent to take 150m litres per day from the Waikato River, and associated consents, under a Board of Inquiry process.

Auckland Council

Representing the Council in the Supreme Court in its successful defence of judicial review proceedings concerning its Provisional Local Alcohol Policy.

Watercare

Advice on its customer contract, infrastructure growth charges and introduction of a new non-domestic wastewater tariff.

Auckland Transport / Auckland Council

Successfully defending Auckland Transport and Auckland Council in judicial review proceedings challenging the Regional Land Transport Plan on climate change grounds.

Watercare

Obtaining discharge consents for the Auckland wastewater network, Pukekohe Wastewater Treatment Plant and South-West Wastewater Servicing Project.

Auckland Transport / Auckland Council

Successfully defending Environment Court appeals against a road stopping and private plan change, allowing the redevelopment of QEII Square and Commercial Bay in downtown Auckland.

Tasman District Council and Queenstown Lakes District Council

Successfully defending major objections under the Local Government Act against development contributions.

NZ Motor Caravan Association

Successfully challenging Marlborough District  Council's freedom camping bylaw in judicial review proceedings.

Tauranga City Council

Successfully defending Environment Court declaration proceedings concerning monetary contribution conditions on designations.

Watercare

Drafting and legal advice on the Auckland Trade Waste Bylaw and Auckland Water Supply and Wastewater Network Bylaw.

Areas of Expertise

Insights & News