NZ environmental legislation (Resource Management Act 1991) requires the sustainable management of natural and physical resources, and protection of significant indigenous biodiversity. Regional and district plans are developed by local councils and set out policies, objectives and rules required for achieving sustainable management of the environment, including identification and protection of significant ecological areas (significant vegetation and habitats of fauna). Effects on the environment (from subdivision, use and development) are assessed through a resource consent process. Applicants (landowners, developers) undertake an assessment of effects and put forward a development proposal. A public hearing is held if the effects are more than minor and when required by the plan. Independent hearing commissioners are appointed to make a decision on whether to grant or refuse consent for a development proposal. This decision can be appealed by parties to the Environment Court. Commissioners are appointed for skills in planning, law, engineering, and science. The majority of commissioners come from a planning and legal background but having a commissioner with ecological background is becoming more common. Having commissioners with a gender and ethnic diversity background is also important. Many consent and development proposals have both ecological and indigenous cultural issues and require at least one commissioner on a panel to have experience in these areas. Evidence from experts as well as lay public submitters is heard and tested. The role of an independent commissioner is to be independent and to make informed decisions based on the evidence presented. The role of a panel is to allow a fair and equitable process to be run.
Results/Conclusions
My experience of working as an ecologist and as an independent hearing commissioner in resource management in New Zealand, and the skills that are needed in this position, will be shared.
I hope we can have an open discussion with lots of questions in this session.
This has required working with people across disciplines (planners, lawyers, engineers, cultural heritage). I have a background combining field experience with resource management and policy, and this combination of practical and strategic thinking has been important for me, as well as skills in communication and identifying solutions.