Senior Associate, Auckland
Mathew Gribben
Contact
- Auckland office
- DDI +64 9 363 0635
- M +64 21 150 0231
Profile
Mathew specialises in environmental and resource management law and advises on a wide range of resource management, environmental and local government matters.
He acts for private clients, infrastructure providers and local authorities on resource consents, policy statements, plans and designations. He has particular recent experience with planning and policy work and obtaining approvals for transport projects, residential development, solar energy and water.
In addition to litigation and advisory work, Mathew has extensive experience in environmental due diligence.
He has acted for the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi on the Papakura to Bombay projects and the East West Link. He is currently a senior member of the legal team advising the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and Auckland Transport on the Supporting Growth transport programme for Auckland's new growth areas.
Mathew has recently assisted Lightsource bp to obtain approvals for a new grid-scale solar farm at Glorit and is currently acting in relation to a further proposal in Stratford.
Mathew has previously acted for a number of local authorities including Auckland Council on the Auckland Unitary Plan in relation to the coastal plan, natural heritage, social infrastructure and public open space topics.
Prior to joining Buddle Findlay, Mathew worked for a boutique environmental law firm and another national law firm.
- Mathew is listed as a 'leading associate' for projects and resource management (including environment) by Legal 500
Experience
Work highlights
Acting for Auckland Transport and the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
on the Supporting Growth transport programme for Auckland's new growth areas. Mathew focused on the future transport network in Orewa, Silverdale and Dairy Flat. The network involves a new rapid transit corridor (extending the Northern Busway), new and expanded arterial roads and new cycle ways, stretching over 100kms
Acting for Lightsource bp
to obtain planning approvals, via a fast-track consenting process, for a new solar farm in Glorit, Auckland, located adjacent to the Kaipara Harbour. The proposed solar farm is expected to supply enough electricity for 33,000 homes and create 200 construction jobs. Currently acting for Lightsource bp in relation to the direct referral of a similar sized new solar farm at Stratford, Taranaki
Acting for private developers
to successfully obtain significant new urban residential subdivision in greenfield areas such as Pokeno in the North Waikato. Additional intensification has also been secured via the Council's IPI process under the Enabling Housing Legislation
Acting for the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
on the Papakura to Bombay. This included obtaining designations and resource consents for one stage through the Covid fast-track consenting regime and most recently obtaining designations for Stage 2
Undertaking environmental and planning due diligence
in relation to corporate and property transactions involving solar farms, industrial and residential, including most recently a new solar farm at KÅwhai Park and acquisition of a significant dairy factory by Abbott Nutritiona
Acting for KiwiRail
on the direct referral of the NoRs and resource consents for the Drury West Train Station, including attendance at mediation and Court conferences