On 20 November 2025, the panel convener appointed the expert panel. The panel consist of:
Heather Ash (Chair)
Heather is a resource management specialist, with 25 years' experience at Simpson Grierson, having retired from her role as a partner in the local government and environment team. She is currently a barrister. Heather chaired the Panel decision on the Queenstown Arterials and the Silverlight Studios Wanaka Film Studio and Accommodation projects under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020.
Her career focus at Simpson Grierson was on assisting councils on the development and implementation of their district plans. She has extensive experience in providing advice in areas of strategic growth planning and infrastructure, management of natural resources, urban intensification and subdivision.
Heather is a highly experienced advocate and has regularly appeared on matters before the Environment and High Court. She had a lead role in the legal team advising the Auckland Council on the new Unitary Plan for the Auckland region. She is also very experienced at delivering successful outcomes at mediation. She is known for her client focussed style of working.
Lisa Mein
Lisa is a qualified Urban Designer and Planner with over 29 years’ experience in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland. In 2019, following 15 years’ at Boffa Miskell Ltd, she established her own boutique urban design and planning practice. She is a founding member and inaugural chair of the Urban Designers Institute Aotearoa, a professional registration body to recognise qualified and experienced urban designers.
Lisa is a certified Resource Management Hearings Commissioner. She was first accredited in 2016 and has maintained certification since, most recently in 2024. She is a current member of both the Auckland Council and Queenstown Lakes District Council Hearings Panels. She also has experience on FTAA and Covid-19 Recovery FTA panels.
Lisa has considerable experience in an advisory capacity for Urban Design Review Panels, including as a regular Chair on the Auckland Urban Design Panel and a number of specialist design review panels for Kainga Ora, Eke Panuku (now AUDO) and others. In addition, she regularly provides advice to Auckland Council and other clients on urban design matters for development proposals, often presenting urban design evidence at Council hearings and to the Environment Court.
Bronwyn Rhynd
Bronwyn Rhynd is the Director and an Environmental Engineer at CKL NZ Ltd, bringing over 20 years of professional experience in environmental and civil engineering across New Zealand. Holding a Bachelor of Engineering and a Masters in Environmental Engineering Science, Bronwyn has established herself as one of the country’s leading experts in water resources, with a particular focus on stormwater treatment, disposal, and management. Her expertise also extends to flood management, regulation, and overland flow path assessment for a wide range of land development projects, from greenfields to established residential, commercial, and industrial sites.
Bronwyn’s pragmatic and technically robust approach ensures that client aspirations align seamlessly with sustainable environmental outcomes. She regularly collaborates with industry professionals and territorial authorities to deliver effective stormwater and flood management solutions tailored to each project’s unique needs. Her extensive experience includes representing clients throughout resource consent processes and acting as an expert witness before the Environment Court.
A highly regarded figure in her field, Bronwyn is a regular keynote speaker at conferences throughout Australasia on stormwater management and water sensitive urban design. She has been recognised as a finalist in the Women of Influence Awards in both the Business Enterprise and Board & Management categories, and was awarded Stormwater Professional of the Year in 2018.
register of interest
Register of interests
The register records all relevant panel members' interests. It is updated when necessary throughout the consenting process.