Matthew Hill
Matthew is a senior associate in the firm’s planning and environment group. He specialises in local government law with a particular focus on local government funding and financing issues, including rates and development contributions.
Matthew’s experience includes advising local authorities on their consultation obligations, annual and long-term planning processes, rating and funding issues and commercial contracts. He regularly advises councils across the country on decision-making processes, conflicts of interest, council-controlled organisations (CCOs), local elections, official information (LGOIMA), delegations and bylaw issues.
Matthew has experience working in-house for the Crown, advising on a range of public law matters.
Examples of Work
- The Treasury - advice on the establishment of the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020
- Porirua City Council:
- advice on establishment of a commercial rates postponement scheme
- advice on proposed funding options infrastructure repairs on private land
- transactional work on private development agreements in relation to new residential subdivisions
- Greater Wellington Regional Council - advising on the structuring and establishment of a regional joint committee
- Taranaki Regional Council - advising on the Council’s consultation obligations and rating options in relation to a proposed $50 million repair and upgrade to the Yarrow Stadium
- Advised on consultation obligations, rating and process issues in relation to a major dam project
- Advising on local government decision-making processes and governance issues (including in relation to the Code of Conduct, Standing Orders and meetings generally)
- Advised on procedural and corporate structuring matters on a landfill joint venture between three local authorities
- Wellington City Council - Acted as junior counsel in successfully defending judicial review proceedings brought by Meridian Energy Limited in relation to the rating of Meridian’s windfarms
- Regular reviews of rates setting documents for councils across the country
- Assisting councils on rating matters including compliance with procedural requirements, resolving issues with validity of rates, and the treatment of non-rateable land
- Advice on CCO structuring and establishment, including consultation obligations
- Advising on local government re-organisation schemes
- Advising on bylaw issues including bylaw reviews and new bylaws (including freedom camping)
- Advises on conflicts of interest issues both under the Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968 and the common law
- Regulatory due diligence