On 9 March 2026, the panel convener appointed the panel. The panel consists of:
Bronwyn Carruthers KC
Bronwyn Carruthers KC has specialised in resource management, environmental, public works and local government law for over 25 years. She has extensive experience representing clients in resource consent hearings, judicial reviews and plan-making processes.
Bronwyn also assists with law reform, declarations, prosecutions and other enforcement action. She has appeared at all levels of New Zealand's justice system, regularly acting for local authorities, infrastructure providers, corporate clients, individuals and not-for-profit organisations.
Bronwyn is an accredited hearing commissioner. She is a member of the New Zealand Bar Association and the Resource Management Law Association.
Hugh Leersnyder
Hugh has over 40 years of experience in environmental planning and resource management. He has an extensive science and coastal planning background and is a full member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and New Zealand Coastal Society. He has wide and varied experience in soil, water and coastal resource management as a regulator, applicant, consent implementer and decision-maker.
Hugh has been an independent hearing commissioner since 2009. He has also held a variety of environmental planning leadership roles in the consenting and implementation of major transport infrastructure projects including the Waterview Tunnel, Puhoi to Warkworth Motorway, City Rail Link, iReX and the Mt Messenger bypass.
James Whetu
James Whetu is a full member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and an accredited independent hearings commissioner.
James has extensive experience in resource management policy and planning, including research, with expertise in the integration, incorporation and consideration of te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
James is a Director and the Principal Consultant of Whetū Consultancy Group, and is a shareholder of, and advisor to, The Stream.
Register of interests
The register records all relevant panel members' interests, and is updated, when necessary, throughout the consenting process.