VERNON RIVE - ENVIRONMENTAL BARRISTER
RESEARCH/ADVICE/STRATEGY/SOLUTIONS
I’m a barrister specialising in environmental, resource management and public law. I’m based in Auckland, but during a legal career spanning over 14 years have advised clients up and down the country on projects as diverse as Manawatu windfarms, central North Island road de-icing trials, the Auckland V8 Supercar proposal and high pressure gas pipelines in Northland. I’ve acted for some of the largest corporate and government entities in New Zealand, as well as individuals and community groups. Appearances have included contentious planning disputes in draughty south Auckland community halls, marathon environmental mediation sessions, defended hearings in the Environment Court, appeals on points of law in the High Court, and as junior counsel in Supreme Court.

After a rewarding stint with national law firm Chapman Tripp, the last 4 years as a partner in its highly regarded Environmental/Resource Management Team, I’ve taken up a position as a senior lecturer at New Zealand’s newest law school at AUT University, allowing me to combine a long held interest in practical legal education, environmental and public law research and practice.

Feel free to get in touch to discuss how I might assist.  More details are on this website, or available by contacting me here.
27-07-10

We've managed to heave ourselves over the shortest day of the year, and are on the gentle slope downwards towards spring... more

02-09-10

In a recent RMA prosecution case in the Invercargill District Court Southland Regional Council v Niagara Sawmilling Company Ltd, a Bart Simpson "it wasn't me" defence was tried...with an unsurprising result. more