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Daniel Minhinnick
Partner
Auckland
Environment and Planning
+64 9 367 8714 DDI [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-minhinnick-61937717/
Profile Experience Insights Recognition
Profile

Daniel is a leading Environment and Planning specialist and one of New Zealand’s most experienced experts in fast-track consenting. He advises clients on securing approvals for major infrastructure and development projects across residential, retail, commercial, industrial and infrastructure sectors, including ports, transport and renewable energy.

He has significant experience in coastal and offshore projects, freshwater matters, and complex consenting processes. Daniel has been involved in numerous fast-track projects for a wide range of clients – both assisting applicants and as decision-maker on multiple expert consenting panels.

As the firm's National Practice Group Chair for Environment and Planning, Daniel brings extensive experience across both contentious and non-contentious environmental and planning matters. He is recognised in the New Zealand market as a talented resource management litigator, and advises clients on district and regional planning matters, legislative reform, local government matters and Public Works Act issues.

Related Expertise

Agribusiness & Food
Energy & Renewables
Infrastructure & Projects
Mining, Oil & Gas
Climate Change
Public Works Act
Māori Legal
Experience

As well as considerable Court experience on resource management matters, Daniel has advised on a range of matters of public and corporate significance, including:

  • Extensive fast-track consenting experience across both the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 and Fast-track Approvals Act regimes – acting for applicants, as decision-maker, and advising other stakeholders. This has included chairing expert consenting panels for Milldale, The Point Mission Bay and Beachlands Housing Development, as well as advising on port infrastructure, renewable energy, quarries, residential, retirement villages, industrial and commercial projects.
  • Drury South – leading the consenting strategy for the Drury South Precinct, a major greenfield development including 45 ha of residential land, 145 ha of industrial land and 90 ha of public open space. This has involved multiple plan changes, securing a special housing area, obtaining resource consents, and negotiating infrastructure and project agreements.
  • Summerset Group – advising on the consenting of retirement villages across New Zealand, including securing fast-track approvals for developments in Waikanae, Half Moon Bay, Rotorua and Mosgiel. Advising on large-scale solar projects (30 – 300 MW) for a range of developers.
  • Kings Quarry Limited – advising on successive applications to expand Kings Quarry under both the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 and Fast-track Approvals Act.
  • Securing consents for the National Archives Facility in Central Wellington.
  • Advising Fonterra on planning issues for a number of sites across the country, including on numerous private plan changes, the Healthy Rivers freshwater plan change, the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme, reverse sensitivity issues at various sites and in relation to Government policy reform.
  • Advising Port of Auckland on a range of major projects including the fast-track application to expand the Bledisloe and Fergusson wharves, deepening of the freight channel and for the disposal of material into an offshore disposal site.
  • Advising Bunnings on consenting of new stores throughout New Zealand.
  • America's Cup – assisting the Crown to secure consents for the infrastructure and facilities for the 36th America's Cup event.
  • Advising NZ Infra on consenting and land acquisition strategies for its proposal for Auckland Light Rail.
Insights

Daniel has also contributed to the following publications:

  • Editor and co-author (Water and Minerals and Petroleum chapters), Environment and Resource Management Law
  • Author, RMA Practical Guidance
Recognition

Daniel is the National Practice Group Chair of Russell McVeagh's Environment, Planning and Natural Resources Team and is a member of the New Zealand Law Society's Environmental Law Committee.
Rankings and awards:

  • Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2026 Guide – ranked in Environment and Resource Management law
  • Doyle’s Guide 2025 and 2026 – Leading Lawyer in Environment and Resource Management
  • Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026 Guide – Leading Partner in Project and Resource Management law and Transport law (rail, road, land and sea)
  • IFLR1000 Asia-Pacific 2025/26 Guide – ‘Highly Regarded’ in Project Development and recognised in Energy, Mining and Real Estate
  • Best Lawyers® ‘Lawyer of the Year’ – Land Use and Zoning Law (2026), Natural Resources Law (2025), Planning Law (2023), Environmental Law (2021)

Client feedback emphasises Daniel's expertise in the Environment, Planning and Natural Resources sectors, stating Daniel: 

  • "I work most closely with Daniel Minhinnick, he is always responsive making time for my queries especially if they are urgent, providing me with sound and quality advice. I so value the part he plays in making me successful in my role." - Legal 500
  • "offers a practical approach to issues in a changing regulatory environment, is responsive to requests and clear consideration of issues to give director-level confidence that we were taking the right approach." - Legal 500
  • "Excellent service delivered by Daniel Minhinnick always. He is responsive, approachable and timely. His advice is sound and robust, and raises issues I have not always considered. I couldn't imagine doing this job without his expertise." - Legal 500
  • "is always competent, professional, responsive and reassuring. When I need something urgently he makes himself available, which I hugely value. He is always informative and understands our business and drivers, and therefore what is necessary." - Chambers & Partners
  • "has great industry and technical knowledge. He is highly strategic and a great advocate to have on the team." - Chambers & Partners
  • "is a pleasure to work with. He provides competent and sound advice, and he is always responsive and happy to have a quick phone call, which I appreciate." - Chambers & Partners