Join leading experts to examine the evolving landscape of administrative decision-making and judicial in New Zealand. Explore the opportunities and challenges of AI in public decision-making, gain insights into recent trends and case law in constitutional law and review judicial review strategies in the context of local government decisions. You will also delve into the impact of the Fast Track Approvals Act 2024 on environmental and infrastructure approvals, decision making, with a focus on consultation and procedural fairness. A must-attend for practitioners navigating the complexities of administrative law and government decision-making.

Presenters

Stuart Ryan, Barrister, Akarana Chambers
Stuart Ryan is a barrister with a specialist practice in resource management, local government, public law and related areas. Stuart has over 25 years’ experience in advising local government, corporates, developers, private individuals and industry associations. Stuart has experience in litigation at all levels, and provides advice on policy and legislation changes. Admitted to the Bar in 1989, Stuart was a partner at Tauranga law firm between 1999 and 2003 and a partner at a commercial law firm in Auckland from 2003 until commencing practice as barrister in 2009. Stuart regularly presents seminars to both clients and professional groups in his specialist areas and is a co-author of the Enforcement Order and Abatement Notice chapter in DSL’s Environmental Handbook.

Hamish Harwood, Senior Associate, Simpson Grierson
Hamish is a specialist resource management and local government lawyer. He advises and represents clients on district and regional plan reviews and plan changes, and consent and designation applications for a range of projects, including marine consent applications for activities taking place in the EEZ. His practice also includes a range of other strategic local government issues including judicial review, building law, local government liability, natural hazards and climate change, valuation compensation and rating disputes, roads, and customary rights applications. Hamish is a member of the Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand. His work Highlights include; plan reviews and plan changes, advising and representing Christchurch City Council, Kapiti Coast District Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Porirua City Council and New Plymouth District Council at all stages of their plan review and plan change processes, marine consent, advising and representing OMV, Beach Energy Limited, BW Offshore Limited, Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited and others in relation to marine consent and discharge consent applications for various energy (both renewable and non-renewable) projects in offshore Taranaki, the Great South Basin, the Canterbury Basin and the Chatham Rise.

Nick Chapman, Partner, Simpson Grierson
Nick is a senior litigation and dispute resolution lawyer with a broad range of experience in dealing with complex, high-stakes disputes across different sectors. He has a particular focus on commercial disputes that involve public issues - whether that is commercial entities that are interacting with public decision-makers or public entities that are involved in a commercial dispute. Nick has acted for various organisations across a broad range of disputes and industries, including commercial contracts, energy and the Emissions Trading Scheme, property and leasing issues, judicial reviews, infrastructure, insurance disputes, insolvency, class actions, banking and financial services, telecommunications and technology, and construction disputes. He has appeared before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He also has considerable experience in arbitration, and in alternative dispute resolution forums such as mediation. Nick is known for his ability to simplify complex issues, and for his ability to provide clear advice. His clients say: “Nick is a consummate professional who goes above and beyond to service client’s needs. Importantly he is responsive and above all, on your ‘team’. I can’t speak highly enough of Nick and the team that support him.” Prior to joining Simpson Grierson, Nick worked for Herbert Smith Freehills and Allen & Overy in London. Nick is also an Adjunct Lecturer and Teaching Fellow at Victoria University’s Faculty of Law. He currently teaches the University’s compulsory course on the core skills of legal research, legal writing, legal analysis, and advocacy.

Matthew Smith, Barrister, Thorndon Chambers
Matthew has a broad public and commercial law practice, encompassing regulatory, Māori, human rights, and environmental law, and with a special expertise in judicial review and the use of public law tools to achieve meaningful outcomes for clients. He works across the entire range of public law and has acted for public sector bodies (including Crown entities and commissions of inquiry), individuals, entities of many kinds (including companies, incorporated societies, trusts and Māori incorporations), industry groups, and NGOs. Matthew has appeared in all the higher courts, and in numerous specialist courts and tribunals, including the Waitangi Tribunal and the Māori Land Court. His non-litigation work tends to involve the provision of legal and strategic advice and support in a range of settings, including public inquiries, regulatory investigations, consultation processes, and Parliamentary/law reform processes. Matthew is the sole author of the New Zealand Judicial Review Handbook – a comprehensive text on judicial review in New Zealand that is now in its second edition.