Hamish is a specialist resource management and local government lawyer.

He advises and represents clients on district and regional plan reviews and plan changes, and consent and designation applications for a range of projects, including marine consent applications for activities taking place in the EEZ. 

His practice also includes a range of other strategic local government issues including judicial review, building law, local government liability, natural hazards and climate change, valuation compensation and rating disputes, roads, and customary rights applications.

Hamish is a member of the Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand.

Work Highlights

Plan reviews and plan changes 

Advising and representing Christchurch City Council, Kapiti Coast District Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Porirua City Council and New Plymouth District Council at all stages of their plan review and plan change processes.

Marine consents

Advising and representing OMV, Beach Energy Limited, BW Offshore Limited, Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited and others in relation to marine consent and discharge consent applications for various energy (both renewable and non-renewable) projects in offshore Taranaki, the Great South Basin, the Canterbury Basin and the Chatham Rise.

Judicial review

Successfully defending local authorities decisions about fluoridation of drinking water (Supreme Court), earthquake prone building policies (Court of Appeal), non-notified consent applications (Court of Appeal), rating decisions (High Court), access arrangements under the Crown Minerals Act (High Court), reserves (High Court), and issues relating to the ownership and management of council controlled companies (High Court).

Resource consents and designations 

Advising and representing local authorities, infrastructure providers and private clients in relation to infrastructure and roading projects, housing and subdivisions, commercial and industrial projects and marine farms.

Local government liability

Advising local authorities on a range of liability issues, particularly in relation to natural hazards and compulsory acquisitions, including includes defending and negotiating claims for compensation under the Public Works Act, Rating Valuation Act and Local Government (Rating) Act.

Building law

Advising building consent authorities on their obligations and functions under the Building Act 2004, including issuing notices to fix, applications for Determinations from MBIE and enforcement proceedings.

Customary rights applications

Representing eight local and regional councils in relation to applications for customary rights under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011.

Environmental enforcement

Prosecuting and defending criminal charges under the Resource Management Act 1991, the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2011, the Building Act 2004, and the Crown Minerals Act 1993.

Due diligence

Advising on the environmental and regulatory aspects of business and other land assets.

Areas of Expertise

Insights & News