Navigate the crucial issues currently facing local government in New Zealand. Deep dive into recent case law, Bill of Rights and freedom of expression issues and how these impact on local government decision making. Discover the practical implications for local governments in navigating the ongoing changes with the RMA reforms.
Description
Attend and earn 2 CPD hours
2.00pm to 3.00pm Navigating Local Government Decision-Making: Case Law and Bill of Rights Update
- Comprehensive update on local government decision-making, highlighting recent case law and its implications
- Bill of Rights and freedom of expression issues, particularly in the context of venue bookings, incorporating recent WorkSafe guidance on psychosocial harm
- Insights into how these developments impact local governance and community interactions
Presented by Emma Moran, Partner, DLA Piper and Michael Fitzpatrick-Cockram, Solicitor, DLA Piper
3.00pm to 4.00pm RMA Reforms: Where We Are At, and What It All Means for Local Government
RMA reforms and policy changes continue at pace adding complexity for local government and their communities, resulting in delays to project and planning processes and a lot of work passed from central government to local government becomes wasted. How can local government navigate these changes in an efficient way to deliver sound and enduring outcomes for tangata whenua, their communities, economies and environments?
- Focus on the practical implications of reforms to date from a local authority perspective (both in relation to regulatory and infrastructure roles)
- Gain insights into likely continued developments, and their implications, through the long-term full RMA reform process
Presented by David Allen, Partner, Buddle Finlay
Learning Objectives:
- Gain an understanding of the implications of recent case law on local government decision-making
- Review the current issues surrounding the Bill of Rights and Freedom of issues
- Understand the current status of the RMA reforms and the implications for local government
Chair
Monique van Alphen Fyfe, Barrister, Stout Street Chambers
Presenters
Monique Van Alphen Fyfe, Barrister, Stout Street Chambers
Monique practises in civil litigation, with particular expertise in public law, resource management law, Tiriti o Waitangi law, and indigenous legal issues. Her experience includes acting for clients in claims for and against government agencies, in general commercial litigation and arbitration, in Tiriti and settlement litigation, and in claims before international institutions. She has appeared in a number of notable cases of public interest and in a range of forums, including the Waitangi Tribunal, High Court, Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. Alongside her litigation work, Monique is committed to advancing law reform and encouraging legal development. She is an adjunct lecturer in property law at Victoria University | Te Herenga Waka focussing on native title and tikanga in relation to land, and is a member of a number of committees, including: the New Zealand Law Society Human Rights and Privacy Committee; the Wellington branch Women in Law Committee; and the New Zealand Bar Association Advocacy Committee.
Emma Moran, Partner, DLA Piper
Emma is an experienced litigator who specialises in dispute resolution and commercial litigation. She is an effective advocate who has experience representing clients at most levels of Courts, before specialist tribunals, in mediations and at arbitration. Her core work is advice and litigation focused on regulatory, government, corporate and insurance clients across New Zealand and globally. She has a particular focus on public law, building and construction, and life sciences regulatory issues.
Michael Fitzpatrick-Cockram, Solicitor, DLA Piper
David Allen, Partner, Buddle Finlay
David specialises in all aspects of resource management, environmental and natural resources law. He is a leading adviser on complex and large scale infrastructure projects and has particular experience in wastewater and freshwater, roading and energy projects (having advised on geothermal, wind, hydro and thermal projects). David understands the unique challenges of large projects and works collaboratively with his clients, their advisers and other parties to ensure his clients' outcomes are achieved in the most effective and efficient manner. David is an accredited chair of RMA hearings panels and has chaired a number of hearings. He is also a presenter of the Ministry for the Environment's "Making Good Decisions" programme required for all resource management decision-makers.
