The panel convener has appointed the panel to decide the application starting from 17 May 2022. The panel consists of:

Alan Webb (chair)

Alan Webb is a Barrister specialising in resource management and local government issues. Before he was a prosecutor in Wellington, and later undertook commercial litigation with a national law firm based in Auckland. 

Alan has over 30 years' experience and, although still based in Auckland, provides services throughout New Zealand. He advises on all aspects of environmental, resource management, local government, public law, administrative and enforcement issues. 

He acts as counsel for developers, property holdings companies, industrial services companies and community groups undertaking a wide range of projects, as well as regularly appearing in council hearings, the Environment Court, the High Court and in the Appellate jurisdiction. Alan is a member of the national committee of the Resource Management Law Association.

Reginald Proffitt (member)

Reginald is based in Gisborne where he is a Business Manager of WSP Opus Gisborne, a team of 16 civil, structural, geotechnical and water engineers, and laboratory technologists. Reginald has held local government management positions in policy and strategy, and resource and building consent sectors. In addition to this Reginald brings significant independent and private sector experience. He brings a strong background in environmental and resource management planning and extensive contacts across the NZ Planning industry. 

Reginald’s skills and approach means he is sought-after nationally by various local government authorities as an independent RMA hearings commissioner and independent facilitator. Reginald brings a unique skill set with extensive experience working within a Māori cultural frame that integrates with local government and resource management processes. Reginald received a Distinguished Service Award for his years of leadership of the Papa Pounamu Māori Planners group and his contribution to planning in New Zealand at the recent 2019 New Zealand Planning Institute conference.

Barry Kaye (member)

Barry Kaye is a very experienced planner. Mr Kaye has over 35 years’ experience in the areas of: urban and rural planning, environmental and coastal planning, planning law, mediations, plan changes, and resource consent hearings. His experience covers urban developments, rural subdivisions and multi-residential developments.

Mr Kaye has been a hearing commissioner for 16 years and is an accredited commissioner. His Making Good Decisions certification expires on 30 June 2024.