Ben brings 24 years of focus, commitment and experience in matters involving legal, public administration, contract law, transport and resource management planning. Ben also brings extensive knowledge and understanding of the legal and planning requirements associated with management of capital roading projects. In addition, Ben brings significant network of contacts gained through his work with NZ Transport Agency (‘NZTA’) and its predecessor Transit NZ (‘Transit’).
","stylesMapId":"CK_EDITOR_PARAGRAPH_STYLES","linkList":[]},"dataItem-jb5s5jtv":{"type":"StyledText","id":"dataItem-jb5s5jtv","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"text":"Bachelor of Law degree (LLB, 1994, University of Waikato);
\n\tMasters of Law degree (LLM, 2007, University of Waikato);
\n\tConsultation Skills;
\n\tNegotiation Skills;
\n\t‘Difficult Conversation’ Skills.
\n\tBen has considerable experience in planning related project management, including: in the development and implementation of strategies and policies, response to land use developments and in the development of major capital projects of NZTA. Ben’s background highlights these skills further. He was successful and effective in his role as the:
\n\nActing Planning Manager in the BOP Office of NZTA.
\n\tTeam leader of the Planning Team for all resource management issues throughout his time with Transit / NZTA.
\n\tTeam Leader for planning matters associated with many capital projects.
\n\tAn expert on NZTA’s Policies and Guidelines, many of which Ben was involved in drafting.
\n\tVast experience in drafting provisions of District Plans / Regional Plans / Regional Policy Statements.
\n\tAn expert in managing and undertaking review of official documents; including, through submission, hearing, appeal to the Environment Court, Court assisted mediation and dispute resolution.
\n\tAn expert on drafting and obtaining the necessary designations and consents for capital projects.
\n\tAn expert on drafting and successfully negotiating contracts, including: in relation to financial contributions, memorandum of understanding (‘MOU’) and deed of grants.
\n\t\n\n
Ben’s experience, knowledge and expertise provides a unique set of skills, coupled with his contacts in NZTA, and local authorities, surveyors, consultants, iwi and land use developers ensures a successful undertaking of any large and small policy developments and projects.
","stylesMapId":"CK_EDITOR_PARAGRAPH_STYLES","linkList":[]},"dataItem-jb5sd0wj1":{"type":"StyledText","id":"dataItem-jb5sd0wj1","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"text":"
\n\nBen’s ‘noise’ related research report (1994/5) played a major factor in the development of Transit’s Noise Guideline Policy (1995).
\n\tBen was in the leading team that developed Transit’s Planning Policy Manual (mid to late 1990s). Ben was also involved in amendments to this document (2007).
\n\tBen was in the leading team developing Transit’s approach to relationship with iwi (mid 1990s).
\n\tBen was involved in the on-going development of NZTA’s policies until 2016.
\n\t
\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Ben successfully led and influenced[1] the positive outcome of the following statutory planning instruments:
\n\n\n\n
First generation and plan changes of Regional Policy Statement (RPS) of the Waikato RC, BOP RC, Taranaki RC, Horizons RC, Gisborne combined RPS/ DP.
\n\tBen was involved in ‘Future Proof’ in the Waikato Region and in ‘Smart Growth’ in the BOP Region, which paved the way to the second generation and changes to the Regional Policy Statements (‘RPS’) in these regions.
\n\tWaikato Regional Plan (RP) and the various Regional Plans of the BOP RC.
\n\tWaikato RC and BOP Coastal Management Plans.
\n\tWaikato RC and BOP RC various Land Transport Strategies and Plans.
\n\tFirst generation District Plan (DP) in large portion of the North Island, including: Rotorua DC; Tauranga DC; Western BOP DC; Whakatane DC; Opotiki DC; Kawerau DC; (all in the BOP Region). New Plymouth DC; South Taranaki DC; Stratford DC; (all in the Taranaki Region). Ruapehu DC; Whanganui DC; Rangitikei DC; Manawatu DC; Horowhenua DC; Palmerston North DC; Tararua DC; all in the Horizons Region. Napier CC; Wairoa DC; in the Hawkes Bay Region. Gisborne DC.
\n\tThe first and (where relevant) the second generation of District Plans (DP) of: Waikato DC; Franklin DC; Thames Coromandel DC; Hauraki DC; Waipa DC; Hamilton DP; Matamata Piako DC; South Waikato DC, Taupo DC; Otorohanga DC; Waitomo DC.
\n\t
\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Ben led a team’s response to many small subdivisions applications and land use developments (There are too many to specify). Involvement in plan changes and / or consents application of some of the medium size developments. Include for example, applications by:
\n\n\n\n
Porrit Sand Quarry (Waikato DC);
\n\tMaredian 37 (PC 67 to the Waipa District Plan);
\n\tCountdown development (opposite The Base in Hamilton City);
\n\tWendys Restaurant (Greenwood Street, Hamilton City);
\n\tYashili (milk formula factory in Pokeno, Waikato District);
\n\tMcDonald’s Restaurant in Cambridge (Waipa District);
\n\tFarm Source in Te Awamutu (Waipa District);
\n\tNau Mai Business Park, Raglan (Waikato District);
\n\tBunnings NZ (on Kahikatea Drive in Hamilton City);
\n\tWestervelt Honey (in Turangi, Taupo District);
\n\tShell NZ service station, and additional commercial developments (opposite Gallagher on Kahikatea Drive).
\n\tMany others including, those associated with other industries, quarries, forestry and other farm developments.
\n\t\n\n
Similarly, Ben also led NZTA’s response to some large size and more complex applications for consent / plan changes, for example:
\n\n
\n\nTamahere Country Living Zone (Waikato District);
\n\tAirport Business Zone (Waipa District) and the related land use development of the Titanium Park and Pioneer Seeds;
\n\tThe Base and the development of Countdown opposite the Base (Hamilton CC);
\n\tThe new Industrial Zones in Te Rapa/ Horotui (which is in the Hamilton CC and Waikato DC).
\n\tHampton Downs Motorsport Park (currently used consent and additional consent for V8).
\n\tSt Kilda Waterways (Waipa District).
\n\tWaterfall development at Pokeno (in the Waikato District).
\n\tTainui Industrial at Ruakura.
\n\t
\n\n
\n\nBen led the NZTA’s response to Land Transport Strategies and Plans in the Waikato and the BOP regions (multiple generations of these documents).
\n\tBen led the NZTA’s response to Pest Management Strategies and Plans (multiple generations of these documents) in the Waikato RC and BOP RC.
\n\tBen led and influenced the NZTA’s response to the Waikato Conservation Management Strategy 2014- 2024 and its predecessor.
\n\t
\n\n
\n\n
\n\nBen was amongst the selected people who contributed to the NZTA’s comments, influencing changes to the RMA, Land Transport Management Act, Government Roading Powers Act.
\n\n\n\n
\n\n[1] By “Ben influenced” and/ or “Ben was involved” means Ben (personally, or led a team that) undertook pro-active engagement through consultation and promotion of the NZTA’s policies and guidelines in the various RMA strategic documents of local authorities. This included through comments on drafts, submissions, hearings, appeals to the Environment Court, Court mediations, negotiations and dispute resolution.
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Ben made extensive planning (and legal) contributions to the management of significant roading projects of NZTA, including:
\n\n\n\n
Legal Counsel in the designation of the new Kopu Bridge (1996).
\n\tResponsible for NZTA’s planning review and input to the Ohinewai Bypass (1990s).
\n\tResponsible for NZTA’s planning review and input to the Katikati Bypass (2008/9).
\n\tInitiated and managed the consenting strategy by local authorities, for the Waikato Expressway. The outcome of this process, i.e. alteration to designation and consent process proved very successful and value for money (2009).
\n\tAssisted the project manager of the Te Rapa section with appeal resolutions and legalisation of this successful project (2014/15).
\n\tInvolved in all aspects of planning management of the Cambridge section for many years, including negotiation for land with land owners and relationship with Ngati Haua (1990s - 2010s).
\n\tResponsible for the planning review and input into the roundabout project at the intersection of SH1 and SH5 (2013/14).
\n\tDrafted and managed the NZTA’s application for consents and alteration to designation of the roundabout safety project at SH3 and SH37, including consultation with the relevant authorities (in 2014/ 15). These were achieved at a significant cost saving, on a non-notified basis and within a very short timeframe, enabling the successful delivery of this safety improvement project on time to the satisfaction of all parties.
","stylesMapId":"CK_EDITOR_PARAGRAPH_STYLES","linkList":[]},"dataItem-jb5soogs":{"type":"StyledText","id":"dataItem-jb5soogs","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"text":"