Subdivisions Law and Practice: 2025 Publications Award Winner

Charlotte Muggeridge and Thomas Gibbons were RMLA’s 2025 Publications Award recipients for publishing New Zealand’s first dedicated textbook on subdivision law — a comprehensive analysis combined with a clear, practical and illustrated text, built to guide future reform. We asked Charlotte and Thomas to tell us more about their successful nomination.

Can you give our readers a brief overview of your publication?

Subdivisions Law and Practice is New Zealand’s first dedicated textbook focused entirely on subdivision law. At its heart, subdivision sits at the intersection of property law and resource management law, combining technical statutory requirements with highly practical, time‑sensitive decision‑making. Despite its importance, practitioners had no single, comprehensive reference point bringing these strands together.

The book was developed to fill that gap. It breaks down the legal nature of subdivision in a clear, structured way, while also providing practical guidance grounded in real‑world experience. It is designed to be a first port of call not only for lawyers, but also for surveyors, planners, students, and others working in or around subdivision in Aotearoa New Zealand. The inclusion of diagrams, worked examples and commentary on both process and principle was intentional, reflecting how subdivision issues arise in practice.

What did receiving the award mean to you both?

Receiving the award meant a great deal. Even having the book nominated was affirming, as the project was always driven by a desire to support others working in this space. Winning was unexpected, but on reflection it feels like a genuine recognition of why the book was written in the first place. 

Subdivision is a diverse area of law that fundamentally shapes how people live, how communities grow, and how Aotearoa New Zealand develops. It draws across multiple legal disciplines and often involves high‑stakes outcomes for landowners and developers. Yet there was no practical legal guide bringing that complexity together in one place. The award confirmed that addressing that gap was worthwhile.

Why do the Awards matter?

Awards like the RMLA Publications Award play an important role in encouraging high‑quality legal writing in specialist areas. They recognise work that adds real value to professional practice, not just academically but on a practical level. In doing so, they help lift standards, stimulate discussion, and support the ongoing development of the resource management practitioners’ community.

Any final words?

If your work has contributed something useful or enduring to the profession, it is worth sharing. The Awards provide a valuable opportunity to highlight practical resources, ideas, and perspectives that others may benefit from. Nominations help shine a light on work being done across the sector, and contribute to a stronger and more connected professional community. Even being considered signals that your work is valued by peers.