Chief Freshwater Commissioner and commissioners appointed

A Chief Freshwater Commissioner and five freshwater commissioners have been appointed to complete planning work under the Resource Management Act 1991 during the transition to the new planning system.

"The appointments ensure the Freshwater Planning Process remains supported with appropriately qualified decision-makers during the transition," Environment Minister Nicola Grigg says.

Retired Environment Court Judge Brian Dwyer has been appointed as Chief Freshwater Commissioner. The Chief is responsible for convening freshwater hearings panels and appointments to those panels when required under the Resource Management Act.

The following freshwater commissioners have also been appointed:

• Dhilum Nightingale
• Lynda Murchison
• Dr Greg Ryder
• Dr Ian Boothroyd
• Kitt Littlejohn

The appointments are for one year from October 1, with the exception of current commissioner Dhilum Nightengale, who is reappointed from 1 January 2027.

"The appointees bring independent expertise in freshwater management, resource management planning, governance, judicial process, farming systems, tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori and environmental decision-making," Ms Grigg says.

The appointments will support Environment Canterbury's proposed freshwater planning instruments currently progressing through the Freshwater Planning Process. The Chief Freshwater Commissioner will be responsible for establishing a freshwater hearings panel as the proposed instruments advance through the statutory process.