On 29 June 2026, the Hunua Quarry Development project expert panel commenced work. The panel consists of:
David Allen (Chair)
David is a partner in Buddle Findlay's Environmental and Māori law team, based in Wellington. He has over 25 years' experience in advising on all aspects of resource management, environmental and natural resources law, in particular on complex and large-scale water, energy and roading infrastructure projects.
David has chaired several consenting and planning process, including two streamlined planning process and a COVID fast-track process. He has also been involved in advising clients on several FTAA approval processes.
David McMahon
David is an experienced Resource Management Act practitioner.
He is a Certified Independent Commissioner. He has 30 years’ experience in urban and environmental planning, representing both public and private interests. He has extensive experience in decision-making. He sat on four EPA Boards of Inquiry from 2010 to 2014 and was the chair of two marine consent applications in 2014 and 2018.
In the last 15 years, David has taken on a wide range of relevant independent commissioner roles. Assignments have included determining regional plans, district plans, notices of requirement and resource consent applications. His specialty is in planning process, including environmental effects assessment, policy analysis and statutory interpretation.
Dr Martin Neale
Martin Neale is an environmental scientist and a Director at Puhoi Stour Limited. Martin holds PhD in Freshwater Science and has over 25 years’ experience in environmental management and research.
Martin’s experience includes leading and coordinating a wide range of environmental research and monitoring programmes in roles in government, research institutes, and consultancy, including as an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Auckland. Martin leads the delivery of a post-graduate course on Environmental Impact Assessment as part of his work with the University.
He is a member of several scientific societies, and was a member of several expert panels for the Ministry of the Environment including National Objectives Framework (NOF) expert group member (periphyton and invertebrates).
Martin has provided expert environmental evidence in a wide range of hearing processes. He has been an accredited commissioner since 2019, an independent commissioner for Auckland Council since 2024, and has been a member of two Fast-track Panels prior to Hunua Quarry.
Register of interests
The register records all relevant panel members' interests. It is updated when necessary throughout the consenting process.