Simon Pilkinton

Simon is an environmental and resource management law specialist, with extensive experience in major infrastructure projects and commercial developments.

Simon has significant experience advising on resource consent applications, notices of requirement and district and regional planning matters for a wide range of clients including infrastructure providers, network utility operators and commercial developers. Simon’s recent experience also includes assisting a range of clients across New Zealand on Resource Management reform and proposed national policy statements, with a particular focus on major freshwater and biodiversity reforms.
 
Simon is also a specialist in Public Works Act matters. He has a particular focus on the integration of PWA acquisitions and assessments of compensation with the planning approvals required to enable major infrastructure projects.  

Representing clients before a range of Courts and tribunals, Simon advises on all aspects of the Resource Management Act 1991, the Public Works Act 1981 and related legislation. 
 
His experience includes:

• Advising Waste Management on its publicly notified resource consent applications for the Auckland Regional Landfill and the Tirohia Landfill in the Waikato. 
• Advising Watercare Services on a range of major water and wastewater infrastructure development projects, as well as RMA and environmental law and policy reform.
• Advising Ports of Auckland on a range of developments at the Port of Auckland and other facilities.
• Advising Precinct Properties on a range of statutory approvals for the purchase and subsequent redevelopment of Queen Elizabeth Square, as part of the Commercial Bay precinct in downtown Auckland.
• Advising T&G Global on a range of urban industrial developments and re-consenting projects in Auckland and Christchurch.
• Advising Watercare Services, Waste Management NZ, Fonterra, T&G Global and other clients on national freshwater reforms and a range of regional freshwater planning processes. 

LLB (First Class Hons), BA, Victoria University of Wellington.

Simon began his career at Russell McVeagh in 2010, and was promoted to Senior Solicitor in 2014. He took 2015 off work to travel before returning to the firm in 2016. Simon was further promoted to Senior Associate in 2017. 
 
Simon is a member of the Resource Management Law Association and is the author of the Coastal chapter in the leading resource management textbook, Environmental and Resource Management Law (7th Ed).
 
Simon is ranked as a Next Generation Partner in Transport (Rail, Road, Air and Sea) and Projects and Resources Management (Including Environment) for Legal 500 2022 and is Highly Regarded in Project Development by IFLR1000 2022. Simon is recognised by Best Lawyers® 2024 New Zealand Guide for Land Use and Zoning Law.