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Kierra specialises in planning and environmental litigation. She provides advice on RMA processes, plan changes, resource consent appeals, declaration proceedings, designations, direct referrals, enforcement orders and prosecutions.
She has extensive litigation experience, having appeared before Higher Courts and specialist Courts and Tribunals. She has been involved in running large litigation matters and is experienced at engaging and co-ordinating expert witnesses and working with Senior Counsel.
Kierra has a broad range of experience working with (primarily) public sector clients on regulatory matters including building and construction, contaminated land issues, local government, heritage and culture, forestry, gambling, medical practitioner disciplinary proceedings and judicial review.
EXPERIENCE
Various Councils (various local authorities in Auckland, Wellington Region, and in Victoria, Australia)
Kierra provides advice and representation on a range of matters under the RMA, including plan interpretation, plan changes, declaration proceedings, designations, resource consents and appeals, direct referrals and other issues.
Her experience has involved major infrastructure projects such as the Cribb Point Gas Pipeline and Jetty proposed in Melbourne, and the Basin Reserve Flyover proposed in Wellington. In Melbourne, Kierra worked on plan change appeals for the Fisherman’s Bend Urban Renewal Precinct.
Ministry for Primary Industries
Kierra was seconded to the Ministry for Primary Industries to assist with drafting the NES for Planation Forestry (Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry) Regulations 2017).
Iwi / Hapū Organisations
Kierra has acted for a Hapū entity in the Bay of Plenty in relation to resource consent applications, including attending various mediations.
Kierra has recently completed a Masters of Environmental Law at Melbourne University, extensively researching and publishing on a number of topics, focussed on climate change litigation, regulation and policy.
Various Councils (various local authorities in Auckland, Wellington Region, and in Victoria, Australia)
Kierra has been involved in successfully obtaining and resolving a number of high profile enforcement orders under the RMA and the planning and environmental legislation in Victoria, Australia. She has also acted appeals in relation to abatement notices, infringement notice challenges, and provided general advice and training on enforcement options available and gathering suitable evidence. She also has experience in prosecutions, and enforcement issues in other regulatory contexts - including in respect of dangerous, insanitary and earthquake-prone buildings.
Cases in which she acted include: Banora v Auckland Council [2017] NZHC 3276: enforcement order obtained by Auckland Council for earthworks; Aitchison v Walmsley [2016] NZEnvC 15: enforcement order obtained for removal of fence structure in Central Wellington, and the various litigation arising from the demolition of a Hotel in Melbourne.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga
Kierra's previous role as in house counsel for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, has provided her with an in-depth knowledge of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014. She provided advice on the operation and requirements of the Act. She is experienced in acting in relation to appeals on Archaeological Authorities, acting on plan change appeals and resource consent appeals which involve heritage issues. She also assisted in preparation of evidence and witness briefings for Waitangi Tribunal Hearings.
Various Councils (various local authorities in Auckland, Wellington Region, and in Victoria, Australia)
Acting for and advising Councils’ whose decisions are subject of judicial review.
Private Clients
Judicial review of a decision of the Minister of Conservation on behalf of a special interest group: Lower North Island Red Deer Foundation Inc v Minister of Conservation [2017] NZHC 134.
Publications
Memberships And Affiliations
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