Environment Court Commissioner Appointments
In recent weeks the Environment Court has been fortunate to welcome new Commissioner appointments. We formally acknowledge and inform the profession and RMLA members of those appointments.
No reira, me mihi atu ki a koe:
• Rosemary Dixon – Commissioner Dixon will be well known to many of you. She is a very experienced resource management lawyer, having acted for a wide range of clients in both the public and private sectors. Until her appointment, she was Senior Crown Counsel at the Crown Law Office, she previously worked in the private sector with Contact Energy and prior to that at Buddle Findlay, having specialised in public, local government, environment and resource management matters for almost all of that time. With a detailed knowledge of the RMA and the work of the Court, we know Commissioner Dixon’s reputation for hard-work and diligence will be an asset. Commissioner Dixon is based in the Wellington Registry.
• Michael Freeman – Commissioner Freeman is an experienced scientist who prior to his appointment was a Principal Environmental Consultant with LandPro, and previously held various consultant roles in either a personal capacity or with AgResearch. Earlier in his career Dr Freeman spent 20 years in technical and management roles with Environment Canterbury. He is pragmatic, solutions focused and passionate about improving capability within the resource management field. We look forward to Commissioner Freeman’s ability to bridge the gap between science and planning. Commissioner Freeman is based in the Christchurch Registry.
• Kim Hardy – Those of us from Te Ika a Maui need no introduction to Commissioner Hardy, an experienced planning consultant and hearings commissioner who brings extensive experience in the evaluation of plan proposals and applications for consent. With a career as a planner spanning 30 years, Commissioner Hardy was the NZ Technical Director, Planning and Environment for AECOM prior to her appointment. Commissioner Hardy has hit the ground running, and we already see immense value in her strong technical abilities and the Commissioner experience she brings to the Court. Commissioner Hardy is based in the Auckland Registry.
• Ewan Wilson – Mr Wilson is presently a Hamilton City Councillor and Hearings Commissioner and has been in that role as an elected official since 2001 (with breaks in 2007 and 2016, each for three years). He will not complete his current term until late October 2025 and as such, Mr Wilson is to be appointed at the end of the year to allow him to see out his term. Mr Wilson has extensive experience in local government, including as a hearings commissioner and District Licensing Authority member. Mr Wilson will work out of the Auckland Registry while still basing himself in Hamilton.
For those who are not aware, Deputy Commissioners are available to the Court on an as required basis and can be considered for full Commissioner if a future Commissioner vacancy becomes available.
The Court has two new Deputy Commissioner appointments, joining Deputy Commissioner Miria Pomare (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Kahungunu me Rongowhakaata). Commissioner Pomare has a strong background in local government, iwi representation and Treaty of Waitangi issues, is deeply ground in tikanga Māori, and actively contributes to environmental, cultural and governance roles across Aotearoa.
E rere ana ngā mihi ki a:
• Vicky Jones – Hailing from Queenstown, since 2007, Commissioner Jones has been the Director of her own company Vision Planning Ltd, a Queenstown based consultancy service. Prior to that she was the Policy and Strategic Planning Manager at Civicorp and the Queenstown Lakes District Council. Commissioner Jones will work out of the Christchurch Registry. We look forward to Commissioner Jones’ diligence and strong expertise in statutory planning.
• Carolyn Wratt – Coming to the Auckland Registry from Hamilton, Commissioner Wratt has been the director of her own Resource Management Planning company since 2018. Prior to that she was the Principal Policy Planner at Stantec (formerly MWH NZ Ltd) from 2005 to 2018 and with the Manukau City Council as a Planner between 2001 and 2005. We look forward to Commissioner Wratt’s decision writing skills and plan making experience.
The reappointment of current Environment Court Commissioners has also been acknowledged:
• Commissioners Ruth Bartlett, Shona Myers, Kate Wilkinson, Mark Mabin, Kathryn Edmonds and Ian Buchanan. Commissioners Bartlett and Myers are both highly respected and experienced ecologists. Commissioner Wilkinson is a qualified lawyer and former Member of Parliament. Commissioner Mabin is an experienced environmental scientist with particular expertise in hydrology. Commissioner Edmonds is a qualified lawyer and an experienced planner. Commissioner Buchanan is a qualified scientist and has more than 25 years of local government experience as an elected member.
• Commissioner Glenice Paine (Te Atiawa, Ngāi Tahu) who was appointed as a Deputy Commissioner in 2017 is now appointed as a full commissioner. Commissioner Paine has a background in conservation and resource management with particular expertise in iwi/Māori organisations. We find that her skill and expertise in cultural issues and Te Ao Māori is very much in demand within the Court.
Commissioners Andrew Gysberts, Jim Hodges and James Baines are either retiring or otherwise did not seek reappointment. All have given long and effective service to the Court. Commissioner Hodges is currently working on a lengthy and complex decision which may take some further time to complete.
Commissioner Anne Leijnen’s (experienced commissioner and qualified planner) warrant does not expire until August 2026.
E kore e mutu ngā mihi nui ki a koutou, nau mai!
