Greater Wellington

Introduction

Proposed Change 1 to the Regional Policy Statement is now at the stage of Hearings, where submitters have the opportunity to speak to a Hearing Panel about their submission.

There are seven Hearing Streams, each stream covers a specific topic. Hearings started in June 2023 and finished in April 2024.

Guide to the allocation of Provisions to Hearing Streams and Topics by Provision Type - Updated 1 August 2023 (PDF 295 KB) - Use this guide to search provisions by “Provision Type” to identify which Hearing Stream, Topic and s42A Report the provision is addressed under.

Hearings Panels

We have two Hearing Panels appointed for these Hearings: 

 The Part 1, Schedule 1 (P1S1) Hearings Panel, appointed by the Council, who will hear and make recommendations on submissions in relation to the Part 1, Schedule 1 provisions of RPS Change 1. The Panel Members are:
- Dhilum Nightingale (Chair)  
- Gillian Wratt 
- Ina Kumeroa Kara-France  
- Glenice Paine
The Freshwater Hearings Panel (FHP) panel, appointed by the Chief Freshwater Commissioner to hear submissions on the Freshwater Planning Instrument component of RPS Change 1.  The Panel Members are:
- Dhilum Nightingale (Chair) and Freshwater Commissioner 
- Gillian Wratt - Freshwater Commissioner 
- Ina Kumeroa Kara-France - Panel member (Council nominee) 
- Glenice Paine - Panel member (Tangata whenua nominee)

Panel Member Profiles

Part 1, Schedule 1 (P1S1) Hearings Panel Members

add_circle Show more

Dhilum Nightingale (Chair)

Dhilum is a Barrister in Kate Sheppard Chambers specialising in resource management law. She has a planning degree and is a Chair endorsed RMA Hearings Commissioner. She has worked in environmental law for 20 years in both the public and private sector including for seven years for a State Owned Enterprise where she was involved in policy change proposals throughout Aotearoa aimed at implementing RMA national direction. Dhilum represents a range of clients on both policy and consenting matters and her legal practice also includes employment and humanitarian immigration law. Dhilum is of Sri Lankan heritage and was born in Tamaki Makaurau but has lived in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara for 25 years. Her three teenage children all attend high schools in Poneke.

Gillian Wratt - Freshwater Commissioner

Gillian is an experienced senior executive and director with an extensive background in science and environmental management and policy, including as Chief Executive of Cawthron Institute and Antarctica New Zealand.

She is a certified Environment Commissioner with experience as an RMA Commissioner and on Environmental Protection Authority EEZ and Hazardous Substances and New Organisms decision making committees.

She is based in Whakatu/Nelson and has several governance roles in the science and not-for-profit sectors.

Ina Kara-France

Ina Kumeora Kara-France holds a Master of Business Administration in International Business, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Māori Development and is a certified Commissioner for the Resource Management Act 1991. A specialist advocate for Mana Whenua regarding Tikanga Māori, Mātauranga Māori, cultural values, sites of significance, Te Mana o Te Wai, Iwi environmental management plans and cultural impact assessments. Ina has Resource Consents, Future Development Strategy, Regional Policy Statement and District Plan Change experience. Ina has 2 years with WSP NZ Ltd, and 30 years of experience. Ina is a full-time Independent Hearing Commissioner and an Expert Consenting Panel member for the Environmental Protection Authority. Ina is a Board member of the New Zealand Conservation Authority and Board Liaison for Tāmaki Makaurau, Te Tai Tokerau and Te Hiku o Te Ika Conservation Boards. Ina affiliates to Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Te Ati Hau-nui-A-Paparangi, Ngarauru and Ngāti Koata Iwi.

Glenice Paine

Glenice was appointed to the Environment Court as Deputy Commissioner in 2017, an accredited Commissioner and Mediator. She has a background in the conservation and resource management fields and has held appointments on various Environmental Protection Authority Boards of Inquiry, including Tauhara II Geothermal Power, Transmission Gully and the Mackay’s to Peka Peka Expressway. Glenice has an extensive background in leadership and governance within Iwi/Maori organisations. Glenice is Co-Chair of Mana Rangatira (Governance Group) of the National Science Challenge - Biological Heritage, and also Co-Chair of the Knowledge Advisory Group (KAG) addressing Kauri Dieback and Myrtle Rust threats to our taonga. She recently completed three terms on the Nelson City Council Environment and Climate Change Committee. Additional previous roles include being a member Te Tau Ihu Rivers & Freshwater Advisory Committee, and a directorship on the South Island whanau ora commissioning agency, Te Putahitanga o Te Waipounamu General Partner Ltd.

Glenice affiliates predominantly to Te Atiawa Te Tau Ihu and Ngai Tahu.

Freshwater Planning Process (FHP) Hearings Panel Members

add_circle Show more

Dhilum Nightingale (Chair) and Freshwater Commissioner

Dhilum is a Barrister in Kate Sheppard Chambers specialising in resource management law. She has a planning degree and is a Chair endorsed RMA Hearings Commissioner. She has worked in environmental law for 20 years in both the public and private sector including for seven years for a State Owned Enterprise where she was involved in policy change proposals throughout Aotearoa aimed at implementing RMA national direction. Dhilum represents a range of clients on both policy and consenting matters and her legal practice also includes employment and humanitarian immigration law. Dhilum is of Sri Lankan heritage and was born in Tamaki Makaurau but has lived in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara for 25 years. Her three teenage children all attend high schools in Poneke.

Gillian Wratt - Freshwater Commissioner

Gillian is an experienced senior executive and director with an extensive background in science and environmental management and policy, including as Chief Executive of Cawthron Institute and Antarctica New Zealand.

She is a certified Environment Commissioner with experience as an RMA Commissioner and on Environmental Protection Authority EEZ and Hazardous Substances and New Organisms decision making committees.

She is based in Whakatu/Nelson and has several governance roles in the science and not-for-profit sectors.

Ina Kara-France - Panel member (Council nominee)

Ina Kumeora Kara-France holds a Master of Business Administration in International Business, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Māori Development and is a certified Commissioner for the Resource Management Act 1991. A specialist advocate for Mana Whenua regarding Tikanga Māori, Mātauranga Māori, cultural values, sites of significance, Te Mana o Te Wai, Iwi environmental management plans and cultural impact assessments. Ina has Resource Consents, Future Development Strategy, Regional Policy Statement and District Plan Change experience. Ina has 2 years with WSP NZ Ltd, and 30 years of experience. Ina is a full-time Independent Hearing Commissioner and an Expert Consenting Panel member for the Environmental Protection Authority. Ina is a Board member of the New Zealand Conservation Authority and Board Liaison for Tāmaki Makaurau, Te Tai Tokerau and Te Hiku o Te Ika Conservation Boards. Ina affiliates to Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Te Ati Hau-nui-A-Paparangi, Ngarauru and Ngāti Koata Iwi.

Glenice Paine - Panel member (Tangata whenua nominee)

Glenice was appointed to the Environment Court as Deputy Commissioner in 2017, an accredited Commissioner and Mediator. She has a background in the conservation and resource management fields and has held appointments on various Environmental Protection Authority Boards of Inquiry, including Tauhara II Geothermal Power, Transmission Gully and the Mackay’s to Peka Peka Expressway. Glenice has an extensive background in leadership and governance within Iwi/Maori organisations. Glenice is Co-Chair of Mana Rangatira (Governance Group) of the National Science Challenge - Biological Heritage, and also Co-Chair of the Knowledge Advisory Group (KAG) addressing Kauri Dieback and Myrtle Rust threats to our taonga. She recently completed three terms on the Nelson City Council Environment and Climate Change Committee. Additional previous roles include being a member Te Tau Ihu Rivers & Freshwater Advisory Committee, and a directorship on the South Island whanau ora commissioning agency, Te Putahitanga o Te Waipounamu General Partner Ltd.

Glenice affiliates predominantly to Te Atiawa Te Tau Ihu and Ngai Tahu.

Hearing Panel Directions

The Hearing Panels have released Minutes prior to the Hearing to advise of directions, procedures, dates and evidence deadlines.

It is essential that all parties attending the Hearing have read and understood all of the Hearing Panel Minutes.

Further directions will be issued by the Hearing Panel prior to, during and post Hearings

Hearing Panel Minutes

First Minute and Directions of Hearings Panels - 26 May 2023 (PDF 243 KB)
Minute 2 - Directions regarding Hearing Stream 1 - Overview and General Submissions (PDF 253 KB) - 15 June 2023 (The Councils Right of Reply due date was amended in Minute 2, on 16 June)
Minute 3 - Timetabling Directions for Hearing Stream 2 and Future Hearings (PDF 242 KB) - 16 June 2023
Minute 4 - Further Directions for Hearing Stream 1 and Future Hearings (PDF 233 KB) - 22 June 2023
( Memorandum - Background information on Treaty partners provided by GWRC as requested in RPS Chairs Minute 4 (PDF 1.1 MB) - Provided 23 June 2023)
Minute 5 - Proposed Directions Regarding Allocation of Provisions between PS1 and FHP Processes (PDF 733 KB) - 4 July 2023 (Amended 5 July with corrections to paragraphs 5 - 9, no changes made to any timeframes).
Attachment to Minute 5 - James Winchester - Advice WCC IHP - Topic-allocation-between-PDP-and-ISPP 8 March-2023 (PDF 493 KB)
Minute 6 - Request from Regional Council for Extension of Timeframe for filing Evidence from Section 42a Officer for Hearing Stream 2 (PDF 166 KB) – 5 July 2023
Minute 7 - Request to Increase Representation of Members on P1S1 Panel (PDF 163 KB) - 19 July 2023
Minute 8 - Request for Information to be provided in Regional Council's Reply (PDF 218 KB) - 21 July 2023
Minute 9 - Timeframe for Council to respond to further information request (PDF 155 KB) - 25 July 2023
Minute 10 - Directions regarding Recategorisation of Provisions and Hearing Stream 3 Extension Requests (PDF 177 KB) - 18 August 2023
Minute 11 - Changes to Membership of Independent Hearing Panels (PDF 124 KB) - 24 August 2023
Minute 12 - Hearing Stream 3 - Council’s Reply And Directions For Expert Caucusing (PDF 226 KB) - 8 September 2023
Minute 13 - Requests for extensions and other matters and response to caucusing questions (PDF 212 KB) - 20 September 2023
Minute 14 - HS4 Councils reply, request for information from TAs and various procedural matters arising - 12 October 2023 (PDF 241 KB)
Minute 15 - Responses from Territorial Authorities to Information Request about Centres Hierarchy (PDF 131 KB) - 27 October 2023
Minute 16 - Hearing Stream Four Responses and Hearing Stream Five Time Extensions (PDF 205 KB) -13 November 2023 [Updated with links to documents 14 November 2023]
Minute 17 - Matters relating to Hearing Stream 6 - Indigenous Ecosystems - 15 November 2023 (PDF 264 KB)
Minute 18 - Councils Reply and Request for Information Sought from Submitters During the Hearing (PDF 279 KB) - 29 November 2023
Minute 19 - Revised Timetabling Directions for Hearing Stream 6 Indigenous Biodiversity (PDF 141 KB) - 5 December 2023
Minute 20 – HS6 requests for extensions and Conflict of Interest Update (PDF 199 KB) - 2 February 2024
Minute 21 – Legal Advice Received on Structure of Panels' Recommendation Reports (PDF 458 KB) - 12 February 2024
Attachment to Minute 21 - RPS Panel Advice Letter of advice to PC1 FPP and P1S1 Panels 070224 (PDF 312 KB) - 7 February 2024
Minute 22 - Hearing Stream Six Council's Reply, Request for Information Sought from Wellington International Airport During the Hearing and Directions for Caucusing (PDF 252 KB) - 6 March 2024
Minute 23 - HS6 Caucusing Update, HS7 Questions Related to Integration PC 1 Provisions and Amended Timetable and Legal Advice Nation Policy Statement (PDF 358 KB) - 18 March 2024
Attachment to Minute 23 - Letter of advice to PC1 FPP and P1S1 Panels on NPS Implementation (PDF 273 KB) - 18 March 2024
Minute 24 - Extension Request for Council to Provide Information (Paragraph 6(d), 6(f) and 9 of Minute 23) (PDF 117 KB) - 26 March 2024
Minute 25 - Extension Requests for Presentation Time, Hearing Stream 7; Filing Extension Request; Consolidated Provisions and Revised Timetable to the End of Hearing Stream 7 (PDF 210 KB) - 3 April 2024
Minute 26 - Change of Reporting Officer for Variation 1 Hearing Stream 7 080424 (PDF 282 KB) - 8 April 2024
Minute 27 - HS7 Response to Submitter Correspondence, Councils reply for HS7 and updated Timetabling Directions (PDF 255 KB) - 17 April 2024
Minute 28 - Questions for Reporting Officers and Appointment of Special Advisor 290524 (PDF 255 KB) - 29 May 2024

Hearing Conflict of interest

Conflict of Interest Register (PDF 120 KB) - Version 4 Updated December 2023

GWRC Memorandums

Hearing Streams

There are seven Hearing Streams. Each stream covers a specific topic. Hearings were held from June 2023 to April 2024.

Hearing Stream One

Hearing Stream Two

Hearing Stream Three

Hearing Stream Four

Hearing Stream Five

Hearing Stream Six

Hearing Stream Seven

Further Assistance 

For any questions about Proposed Change 1 Regional Policy Statement hearings that is not covered by our website content, please contact our team at regionalplan@gw.govt.nz.

If you have any questions regarding how to present a submission at a hearing, please email our independent Friend of the Submitter at Friend.of.Submitter@gw.govt.nz .

Whakataki
Search

Hearings

Introduction

Hearings Panels

Panel Member Profiles

Part 1, Schedule 1 (P1S1) Hearings Panel Members

Dhilum Nightingale (Chair)

Gillian Wratt - Freshwater Commissioner

Ina Kara-France

Glenice Paine

Freshwater Planning Process (FHP) Hearings Panel Members

Dhilum Nightingale (Chair) and Freshwater Commissioner

Gillian Wratt - Freshwater Commissioner

Ina Kara-France - Panel member (Council nominee)

Glenice Paine - Panel member (Tangata whenua nominee)

Hearing Panel Directions

Hearing Panel Minutes

Hearing Conflict of interest

GWRC Memorandums

Hearing Streams

Hearing Stream One

Hearing Stream Two

Hearing Stream Three

Hearing Stream Four

Hearing Stream Five

Hearing Stream Six

Hearing Stream Seven

Further Assistance

Get in touch