Buddle Findlay has one of New Zealand’s leading resource management and environmental law practices with specialist teams in each of our 3 national offices. 

Our lawyers are specialists in all aspects of resource management and environmental law and we advise clients on the full spectrum of Resource Management Act processes ranging from large infrastructure projects to national and local policy development.  Our practice includes conservation and Maori law, as well as advising on central and local government processes.  

The Buddle Findlay team is known for its “can do” attitude and ability to work effectively with clients and their consultants.

Clients and services

Buddle Findlay works with a broad range of clients.  These include major commercial and Crown entities as well as central and local government, property developers and public interest groups.  Our work includes:

  • Strategic advice on consent issues for development projects including stakeholder and Maori consultation strategies
  • Preparation of resource consent applications and notices of requirement for the construction and operation of industrial or commercial facilities, infrastructure and public works including liaison with specialist environmental and planning consultants
  • Representing clients in hearings before local authorities and in the Environment Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court on consent and plan appeals, declaration and enforcement actions, judicial review proceedings, and prosecutions for environmental offences
  • Advising on environmental policy development including working with government, and making submissions on national environmental policy documents and district and regional policy/planning documents
  • Advising on Maori law and issues, including in the context of RMA processes, Treaty settlements and foreshore and seabed negotiations
  • Advising on all aspects of conservation law, including concessions and working with the Department of Conservation
  • Conducting environmental due diligence for the purposes of business acquisition and/or financing, and negotiating environmental indemnities and warranties

Recent work

  • Advising Contact Energy on the Waitahora windfarm Environment Court appeal, including all aspects of the application and mediation processes, working with a large team of expert witnesses, and appearing at the hearing
  • Advising Contact Energy on the Tauhara II geothermal power station, the first project that was “called in” through the Environmental Protection Authority process (introduced in the 2009 amendments to the RMA), including briefing of expert witnesses and appearing at the Board of Inquiry hearing
  • Advising Contact Energy on the Hauāuru mā raki windfarm proposal , including all aspects of the resource consent and designation processes, briefing an extensive range of expert witnesses and appearing at the Board of Inquiry hearing
  • Advising the New Zealand Transport Agency on the Rangiriri Section of the Waikato Expressway between Auckland and Cambridge
  • Advising the New Zealand Transport Agency on the designation of State Highway 20B in Manukau, Auckland - one of the strategic links to Auckland International Airport
  • Advising Central Plains Water and the Central Plains Water Trust on the establishment of what will be New Zealand’s largest irrigation scheme, including advising on significant resource consent and designation processes, and appearing in appeals to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court
  • Advising Infratil on the environmental aspects of its acquisition of Shell New Zealand (including all its service stations and terminal facilities)
  • Advising Auckland City Council on the major upgrade of Eden Park for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, as well as the redevelopment of Aotea Square in Auckland City’s civic centre
  • Advising Contact Energy’s team on the reconsenting of Contact’s Wairakei geothermal power station and the Clutha hydro scheme (including the Clyde Dam), the consenting of the Te Mihi power station and the variation of the resource consent conditions for the Roxburgh Dam to raise the lake level
  • Advising Ministry of Justice on the development of the new Supreme Court in Wellington
  • Advising Ministry of Justice and Office of Treaty Settlements on a range of issues relating to historical Treaty settlements and foreshore and seabed negotiations, including the recent Deed of Settlement with Waikato-Tainui for the Waikato River, and the Te Tau Ihu Deeds of Settlement
  • Advising government, energy generators, the film and tourism industries and other clients on all aspects of conservation law and concessions, including under the Conservation Act, National Parks Act, Reserves Act, Marine Reserves Act, Wildlife Act and Marine Mammals Protection Act
  • Advising a range of clients on National Policy Statements, the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement and National Environmental Standards under the Resource Management Act and appearing in front of Boards of Inquiry

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