Rachel Zame

Special Counsel

+64 7 927 0522

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Rachael brings over 20 years’ legal experience in resource management, environmental and local government law to her role as Special Counsel at CLM. She works across the full spectrum of environmental and planning matters, from advising on plan development, plan changes, resource consent applications and designations through to appeals in the Environment Court and High Court, mediations and alternative dispute resolution. She also regularly handles enforcement issues when planning provisions and consents are not met.

Rachael acts for local authorities, infrastructure providers, developers, businesses and individuals, and is known for providing practical, clear advice on complex regulatory issues.

Rachael also advises private clients and local authorities on all aspects of resource management and local government law and policy, including subdivision and development, coastal processes and natural hazards, freshwater, consultation and engagement, local authority elections, privacy and information issues, liquor licensing, Health Act provisions, and judicial review and declaration proceedings.

Rachael is particularly interested in climate change, sustainability and three waters infrastructure, and contributes to legislative reform as a member of the New Zealand Law Society Climate Change Subcommittee and the Bay of Plenty branch of the Australasian Land and Groundwater Association.

Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science, University of Otago

Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand (2003)
Solicitor of the High Court of England and Wales (2008)
Member, New Zealand Law Society Climate Change Law Subcommittee
Committee member, Bay of Plenty Branch of ALGA (Australasian Land and Groundwater Association)
Member of Advisory Committee for Centre for Environmental, Resources and Energy Law (CEREL) at University of Waikato
Member, Resource Management Lawyers Association (RMLA)

Professional Experience:
Acting for council clients in relation to the full range of enforcement options, including appeals against abatement notices and enforcement orders, including in relation to complex forestry harvesting issues.
Acted for council clients in relation to full review of plan changes from legal review of s42A report, through to council hearings, mediation and court proceedings on a range of topics including nutrient allocation in an overallocated catchment with water quality issues, managed retreat, air quality (including complex issues in a polluted airshed), coastal plans and district plan reviews.
Acting for clients in relation to infrastructure projects including wastewater treatment plants, stormwater networks, stopbanks, roading projects, cyclone recovery works.
Acting for private clients and councils in relation to range of designation and consenting matters, including housing and industrial developments, harbour dredging, highly productive land issues, water takes and discharges.

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