Expert Consenting Panel
Information about the panel appointed to consider and decide the Queenstown arterials project application.
On 27 January 2021, the panel convener appointed the expert consenting panel to decide the application. The panel consists of:
Heather Ash (Chair)
Heather is a resource management specialist, with 25 years' experience at Simpson Grierson, recently retiring as a partner in the local government and environment team. She is currently a barrister.
Her focus is on assisting councils on the development and implementation of their district plans. She has extensive experience in providing advice in areas of strategic growth planning and infrastructure, management of natural resources, urban intensification and subdivision.
Heather is a highly experienced advocate and has regularly appeared on matters before the Environment and High Court. She had a lead role in the legal team advising the Auckland Council on the new Unitary Plan for the Auckland region. She is also very experienced at delivering successful outcomes at mediation. She is known for her client focussed style of working. She was a member of the New Zealand Council of Legal Education until 2019.
Hoani Langsbury (member)
Ngāi Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Waitaha, Kati Hawea
Hoani has been an independent Iwi commissioner for over 10 years, and has reaccredited the RMA Making Good Decisions Programme in 2012 and 2017. He is an ecologist with a background in environmental management and is the senior Ecological Consultant for Ngai House Consulting, a small business he operates with his wife based at Otakou.
He is active member of the Otago Conservation community, with a diverse skill set and responsibilities, such as the Chair of the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Trust, and a founding trustee for Wild Dunedin Festival and Predator Free Dunedin.
Jayne MacDonald (member)
Jayne is a local Queenstown resident and Resource Management Act (RMA) lawyer with over 25 years’ experience providing expert advice in resource management and local government issues to both local authorities and private clients.
She has appeared before a number of local body hearings panels and the Environment Court, and has conducted cases on appeal and judicial review proceedings in the High Court. Having lived and worked in Queenstown for over 25 years she has a very good understanding of the town centre area, the community, and the Operative and Proposed District Plans.
She also has a good understanding of the relevant Otago Regional Council issues and plans having been a Hearings Commissioner for it, and through representing clients. Jayne is an accredited RMA Making Good Decisions Hearings Commissioner with Chair certification and has undertaken the Hearings Commissioner role on a number of occasions.
Register of member's interests
The register records all relevant interests of the Queenstown Arterials expert consenting panel. It will be updated when necessary throughout the application process.