Early environment, planning and resource management advice will enable and enhance your project. We’ll help you plan for success.
The legal, regulatory and political landscape associated with New Zealand’s environment and planning system is changing. Businesses are under increasing pressure to navigate these changes to ensure their organisations are proactive, resilient, compliant, and best able to manage and adapt to environmental and social challenges. Our environment team, ranked Tier 1 by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, is well-equipped to assist you to navigate the resource management system. We advise both public and private sector entities on their environmental obligations and opportunities across retail, commercial, industrial, infrastructure, aquaculture, forestry, agriculture, energy, and other sectors. As trusted advisers to the Government on its reform of the resource management system, our knowledge of environment, planning, and resource management law is second to none.
Our breadth of experience means we can work with you across the entire spectrum of environmental and planning issues, providing you with the social and environmental licence to operate. Some of our environmental lawyers have worked in the industry and have backgrounds in science so we can give you first-hand advice on both the commercial and technical challenges. Also, we regularly appear before local authorities and the Environment Court so we can offer you comprehensive practical advice before you start any project.
Our multi-disciplinary team advises clients with strategic planning concerns impacting their industries, commercial developments as well as Māori interests. We also provide realistic and pragmatic response strategies to minimise the risks associated with environment and planning litigation, investigations and prosecutions.
Before you start your next project, talk to our environmental experts. We will make sure you get input at the planning stage and any necessary approvals to make your project a reality.
MinterEllisonRuddWatts are experts in New Zealand environmental law. They are responsive and work collaboratively with clients. They are excellent value for money when compared to other top-tier firms.
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022
Advised the Ministry for the Environment’s on the Government’s comprehensive and transformational reform of the entire resource management system, which includes the repeal of the Resource Management Act 1991. This work required ‘system thinking’ to see connections and creation of innovative new mechanisms. Our focus was on bringing practical, real-world experience to the creation of this new system of environmental laws.
The Stride Property Group seeks to proactively ensure that land is appropriately zoned for future development. We assist to provide input into planning processes across the country so Stride can provide developments that enhance the communities in which they are located.
Kiwi Property Limited is a sustainability leader in the building sector, and we assisted it to review Aotearoa’s first Emissions Reduction Plan and the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment’s Building for Climate Change Framework, and provide feedback. Kiwi Property’s feedback drew from its experience in constructing sustainable buildings, energy ratings and barriers to reducing emissions in new builds and retrofits, such as construction waste.
Advising Z Energy on a range of environmental and consenting matters across its portfolio including in relation to site development and redevelopment, contaminated land and hazardous substances management, and food and water safety. A recent highlight was assisting Z Energy to obtain resource consent for its new Rolleston service station.
Southern Cross needs to expand its private hospital facilities around the country to meet the needs of an aging and growing population. We are assisting Southern Cross to ensure that hospital use is recognised and supported at a national and local level to help facilitate the development and expansion of this significant social infrastructure.
A major project for Metlifecare in 2021 was the acquisition of six retirement villages across the country from The Selwyn Foundation. A key part of the acquisition strategy for Metlifecare was the ability to redevelop and intensify the sites. We provided planning and environmental due diligence advice on the portfolio, worked with external consultants, and drafted clauses for the sale and purchase agreement to ensure a smooth transition of village operation to Metlifecare.
We also advise Metlifecare on their wider portfolio and development strategy, and regularly undertake due diligence for greenfield sites, make submissions on district plan reviews around New Zealand to provide appropriate provisions for retirement village development, and seek changes to development contribution policies.
Advising several different organisations facing criminal charges under environmental legislation in relation to discharges of contaminants to the environment. We assisted these organisations to navigate enforcement action taken by regulators including providing procedural and strategic advice, managing engagement with key stakeholders, and advocating for them in relation to sentencing.
Speak with one of our experts
Our lawyers provide clients with clear, strategic and commercial solutions that create lasting impacts to their business
