Expert consenting panel
Information about the panel appointed to consider and decide the Waitohi Picton ferry precinct redevelopment application.
On 28 January 2021, the panel convener appointed the panel to decide the application.
Judge Newhook (Chair)
Judge Laurie Newhook will chair the panel for the Waitohi Picton ferry precinct redevelopment application. Judge Newhook was head of the New Zealand Environment Court from August 2011 until his retirement in July 2020, and a Judge of the Court from 2001.
Read Judge Newhook's full biography
Rawiri Faulkner (member)
Rawiri is from Maketu in the Bay of Plenty and has affiliations to Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Huia, Ngai Te Rangi and Ngāti Toarangatira. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree (Māori Resource Management and Geography Major) from Victoria University of Wellington and has held a number of roles in local and central government.
Rawiri’s strengths are in relationship management and facilitation services, policy advice and implementation, contract negotiation and performance management, as well as in transformative thought leadership. Rawiri is an accredited RMA Making Good Decisions Hearings Commissioner and has undertaken the Hearings Commissioner role on a number of occasions.
Until recently, Rawiri was General Manager Māori Partnerships at Greater Wellington Regional Council overseeing and directing the Council’s work with its Treaty of Waitangi partners in the region. Previous to this role Rawiri was General Manager Māori Strategy at GNS Science and he has also held roles at the Ministry of Research Science and Technology (MoRST), Foundation for Research Science and Technology, as well as Wellington City Council.
Sharon McGarry (member)
Sharon is a self-employed Independent Hearing Commissioner based in Christchurch with 25 years of experience in environmental planning, consents and compliance monitoring. She runs her own consultancy and over the last 15 years has gained substantial statutory decision-making experience, under the Resource Management Act (RMA) and the Local Government Act, for consent authorities throughout NZ.
She has been a member of decision-making committees to decide marine consent applications pursuant to the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012.
Sharon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and a Master of Science (Honours) degree in Resource Management, with a focus on freshwater and marine biology. She has particular experience in coastal management, discharges, water takes and mining. She is a certified RMA decision-maker with a chairing endorsement.
Brian Putt (member)
Brian is a self-employed consultant, with over 40 years’ experience in urban and rural planning and environmental and social impact reporting. He specialises in coastal development, and offers specialist advice in negotiation and mediation for planning, land use or resource allocation disputes.
He has project co-ordination and strategic feasibility reporting experience. Major projects undertaken in recent years include plan changes, residential subdivisions, and the provision of strategic planning and advice for farms, tourist complexes, energy and forestry interests.
Prior to establishing his consultancy service, Brian held a number of planning roles in New Zealand and United Kingdom councils. Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Psychology from Auckland University and postgraduate qualifications in town planning and accounting.
Register of member's interests
The register records all relevant interests of the Waitohi Picton Ferry Precinct redevelopment expert consenting panel. It will be updated when necessary throughout the application process.