Public Decision Making Newsletter - Spring 2020

This newsletter summarises recent developments in law relating to resource management and local government in New Zealand that may be of interest to local authorities and decision makers.

In this edition, we review a recent decision of the Environment Court where it considered the Court’s jurisdiction to modify a notice of requirement. We also provide an analysis of a High Court strike-out decision in respect of novel tortious claims made against some of New Zealand’s major corporations concerning their alleged inadequate actions to reduce their emissions. We briefly discuss a decision of the Court of Appeal clarifying the approach to be adopted by courts in respect of dog destruction orders under the Dog Control Act 1986. We also provide an update on the fast-track resource consenting legislation which has recently been passed by Parliament, a review of amendments to the Resource Management Act 1991 and an update on the obligations of landlords which has implications for councils in their role as landlords.