Regional Support

Regional Chairs and local committees play an important role in supporting RMLA’s regional connections and activities. They help bring members together locally, provide a point of contact within each region, and contribute to a co-ordinated regional voice within the Association. Regional representatives also support annual conference planning and coordination, helping ensure the event reflects the breadth of RMLA’s membership across the country. Members are encouraged to connect with their local representatives and get involved in regional committee activity where they can.

  • Northland

    Chair:
    Sarah Shaw
    Phone: 022 587 8952
    Email: sarah@sarahshaw.co.nz

  • Auckland

    Chair:
    Mike Doesburg
    Phone: 021 030 0307
    Email: mike.doesburg@wynnwilliams.co.nz

  • Waikato

    Co-Chairs:
    Wendy Embling
    Phone: 027 364 7808
    Email: wendy.embling@tompkinswake.co.nz

    Charlotte Muggeridge
    Phone: 027 814 3830
    Email: charlotte.muggeridge@harkness.co.nz

  • Bay of Plenty

    Chair:

    Malory Osmond
    Ph: 027 230 7666
    Email: malory.osmond@boprc.govt.nz

  • Taranaki

    Chair:
    Rebecca Eaton
    Phone: 06 768 3716
    Email: rebecca.eaton@gqlaw.co.nz

  • Wellington

    Chair:
    Kate Rogers
    Phone: 027 310 1587
    Email: kate.rogers@dlapiper.com

  • Canterbury

    Chair:
    Andrew Schulte
    Phone: 03 379 9940
    Email: andrew.schulte@cavell.co.nz

  • Nelson / Marlborough

    Chair:
    Matt Pemberton
    Phone: 0273599183
    Email: mpemberton@doc.govt.nz

    Matt Pemberton is a Senior Solicitor at the Department of Conservation (DOC), with a strong focus on Resource Management Act matters. They currently serve as Chair of the Nelson/Marlborough Branch of the Resource Management Law Association (RMLA).

    Their work at DOC involves providing a strong voice for conservation across planning, consenting and legislative processes—work that is both meaningful and motivating. They are passionate about contributing to outcomes that protect and enhance New Zealand's natural environment.

    Outside of work, Matt enjoys making the most of the outdoors and can often be found mountain biking, sea swimming, skiing or hiking. They are fortunate to call Whakatū / Nelson home, with three national parks right on their doorstep.

  • Queenstown / Central Otago

    Co-Chairs:
    Lauren Barnett
    Phone: 021 223 1178
    Email: lauren.barnett@nzta.govt.nz

    Alyson Hutton
    Phone: 021 715 572
    Email: alyson.hutton@gldc.govt.nz

  • Southland/Otago

    Chair:
    Bridget Irving
    Phone: 027 361 6326
    Email: Bridget.Irving@gallawaycookallan.co.nz

    Bridget Irving is a Partner at Gallaway Cook Allan in Otago, specialising in resource management and local government working with developers, council and water users across Otago and Southland. She currently chairs the Otago/Southland branch of RMLA a role she holds because she’s keen to connect people in the field and keep conversations practical, constructive and grounded in real-world outcomes. Bridget is motivated by the tangible side of RM work—helping people get good projects off the ground and seeing them come to life. She enjoys working alongside good people on complex problems and finding clear, workable paths through what can often feel like a pretty messy system.