The Office of the Chief Freshwater Commissioner is a New Zealand government commission established by the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020, as part of a new Freshwater Planning Process (FPP). The Resource Management Amendment Act 2020 required regional councils and unitary authorities to have freshwater plans in place by 2024. These plans were to give effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. [1] The Chief Freshwater Commissioner must be a current or retired Environment Court judge, and is appointed by the Minister for the Environment. The Office operates independently and does not provide policy advice. [2]
Professor Peter Skelton CNZM was appointed as the first Chief Commissioner. Skelton retired in 2022 and was replaced by environment court judge Laurie Newhook. [3] [4]
The role of the Chief Freshwater Commissioner includes:
The Minister for the Environment also appoints Freshwater Commissioners, to participate in panels. Such commissioners must be accredited under section 39A of the Resource Management Act 1991 and collectively they must have knowledge of and expertise in:
As of September 2023, the commissioners are:
The Office of the Chief Freshwater Commissioner is a New Zealand government commission established by the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020, as part of a new Freshwater Planning Process (FPP). The Resource Management Amendment Act 2020 required regional councils and unitary authorities to have freshwater plans in place by 2024. These plans were to give effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. [1] The Chief Freshwater Commissioner must be a current or retired Environment Court judge, and is appointed by the Minister for the Environment. The Office operates independently and does not provide policy advice. [2]
Professor Peter Skelton CNZM was appointed as the first Chief Commissioner. Skelton retired in 2022 and was replaced by environment court judge Laurie Newhook. [3] [4]
The role of the Chief Freshwater Commissioner includes:
The Minister for the Environment also appoints Freshwater Commissioners, to participate in panels. Such commissioners must be accredited under section 39A of the Resource Management Act 1991 and collectively they must have knowledge of and expertise in:
As of September 2023, the commissioners are: