2024 NZPI CONFERENCE - POLICY SESSION
SESSION: Friday 22nd March, 3:50pm - 4:20pm
PRESENTERS: Andrea Harris, Ben Farrell & Emily Grace
In this session NZPI’s Resource Management Advisory Group (RMAG) will explain how they champion NZPI’s policy response, advocating for fit for purpose legislation and guidance on behalf of the profession. As we enter a new phase of RM reform, the RMAG would love to hear what you see as the opportunities. Come along and engage in an interactive session.
Andrea Harris
NZPI Board Member, Co-Chair of the Resource Management Advisory Group
Andrea has over 30 years’ experience working for a variety of clients and councils, particularly in the policy development and review space. She has also led significant development projects, including the new pedestrian and cycle bridge in Palmerston North, where she is currently based. Andrea is thorough, systematic and pragmatic in her approach to planning issues. She sees the RM Reform process as a significant opportunity to work with the Government for a better planning framework and improved planning practice in New Zealand. As Co-Chair of the Resource Management Advisory Group, she has been championing NZPI’s input to the reform process and appeared at the Select Committee to speak to NZPI’s submission on the NBE and SP Bills.
Ben Farrell
NZPI Board Member, Co-Chair of the Resource Management Advisory Group
Ben is a proud planner and family man with over 20 years’ professional experience. He has worked for a variety of councils and consultancy firms throughout New Zealand on policy and consenting projects, as well as the New Zealand Wind Energy Association promoting the uptake of renewable energy provisions in RMA policies and plans. Ben is currently based in Queenstown and has his own consultancy practice. As Co-Chair of the Resource Management Advisory Group, Ben has championed work on the role of the planner and developing NZPI’s relationship with the Government during the reform process.
Emily Grace
NZPI’s Principal Policy Advisor
Emily has over 20 years’ experience as a planner working on a broad range of matters including regional and district consenting, designations, water conservation orders, district and regional policy development, and central government legislative processes. She has been NZPI’s Principal Policy Advisory since June 2022. Her role involves developing policy papers and preparing submissions and feedback on RM Reform, select committee inquiries, and national policy statements. A big part of Emily’s role is engaging with NZPI members to understand the range of views on particular issues, and then working with the Resource Management Advisory Group to develop specific responses and positions.
