Chief Freshwater Commissioner and commissioners appointed
New Zealand appoints a Chief Freshwater Commissioner and five commissioners to oversee freshwater planning during the transition to a new system under the Resource Management Act.
The New Zealand government has appointed a Chief Freshwater Commissioner and five commissioners to ensure continuity in freshwater planning decisions during the transition from the Resource Management Act 1991 to a new planning system. Environment Minister Nicola Grigg stated the appointments maintain qualified decision-makers for the Freshwater Planning Process. Retired Environment Court Judge Brian Dwyer will serve as Chief Freshwater Commissioner, responsible for convening hearings panels and making appointments as required under the Act.
The appointments are for a one-year term starting October 1, with the exception of current commissioner Dhilum Nightengale, who will begin a new term on January 1, 2027. The appointees were selected for their expertise in freshwater management, resource planning, governance, judicial processes, farming systems, tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori, and environmental decision-making.
The commissioners will support Environment Canterbury’s proposed freshwater planning instruments, which are currently progressing through the Freshwater Planning Process. The Chief Freshwater Commissioner will establish a freshwater hearings panel as these instruments advance through the statutory process.
The appointments aim to provide stability and expertise during the transition period, ensuring that freshwater planning decisions remain informed by independent and qualified commissioners. The government emphasized the importance of maintaining robust decision-making processes in freshwater management.