In June 2017, Bay of Plenty Regional Council was the first local authority in the country to receive an iwi authority Mana Whakahono a Rohe invitation. Council’s Maori policy team leader Anaru Vercoe details steps taken and learnings to date.
In April 2017 the National Government released a suite of changes to the Resource...
The Resource Legislation Amendment Act and national policy statement amendments in 2017 have set in motion changes that will have far-reaching impacts into 2018 and beyond. James Gardner-Hopkins, President, Resource Management Law Association (RMLA).
Last year finally saw the passing into law of the Resource Legislation Amendment Act...
By Linda O'Reilly, partner, Brookfields Lawyers
Brookfields was recently asked a question by a territorial authority that was unsure over its responsibility for activities on its many beaches. The question of ‘control’ over the foreshore – the area between Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) and Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS) – and...
Geoffrey Palmer says the performance of local government in relation to the environment seems to be seriously deficient.
The Resource Management Act 1991 conferred on local government important responsibilities to protect New Zealand’s environment. The Act is all about imposing environmental bottom lines that keep economic development...
Will collaborative processes help find the best ways to manage our country’s freshwater? Ruth Le Pla tests the waters.
A new government report on freshwater management highlights yet again the delicate path that regional authorities must tread in balancing environmental, economic and iwi aspirations for some of the most beautiful,...
Brookfields Lawyers partner Linda O'Reilly takes a look at New Zealand’s loopy rules.
It is hard to tell if the Rules Reduction Taskforce is a populist sop put together by the government to distract from more serious issues, or a genuine attempt at improving the processes affecting businesses and homeowners who run up against...
