Kate is an environmental and resource management lawyer with more than 10 years’ experience advising public and private sector clients on all areas of resource management law. Most recently, Kate was a partner at a specialist resource management firm in Auckland.
Kate works with clients on the full breadth of resource management issues, including in the urban development, infrastructure, industrial, forestry and agriculture sectors. She has expertise in advising on major development projects, including in particular rezoning and consenting large-scale greenfield urban development.
Kate regularly advises clients on planning, consenting, and designation issues under the Resource Management Act 1991, Public Works Act matters and environmental due diligence. She routinely advises on district and regional plan review processes and can help landowners and developers to obtain changes to proposed plan provisions to better meet their needs.
Kate also has expertise in fast track consenting processes, having both assisted applicants to obtain consent and been a chair of an expert consenting panel determining an application. Kate regularly advocates for clients in hearings before councils, the Environment Court, and the High Court. She also assists with alternative dispute resolution processes such as mediation.
Prior to beginning her legal career, Kate worked as a policy analyst for a high profile not for profit environmental organisation where she authored a number of substantial policy reports on reform of environmental legislation in New Zealand.
Kate has a constructive and pragmatic approach to problem solving. Clients appreciate her down-to-earth attitude and her focus on details, which she employs to deliver clear and commercially aware advice and timely results. She strives to understand clients’ priorities and commercial drivers to proactively anticipate their needs.
Career highlights
Rezoning 184 hectares of greenfield land in south Auckland, including resolving Environment Court appeal and obtaining Fast Track consent for Stage 1.
Providing strategic advice to a major developer on the consenting strategy for the development of a new industrial hub.
Representing various clients in plan review processes including the Intensification Streamlined Planning Process.
Advising developer clients on proposed legislative change and engaging in government consultation processes.
Obtaining agreement from Supporting Growth to move the location of a proposed arterial road.
Reaching agreement with Watercare on compensation and terms of occupation for a wastewater pipeline.