Derek Nolan KC has over 40 years’ experience as counsel in environmental, resource management, planning, natural resources and local government law, including rating disputes, and in public works claims. He is frequently sought after as counsel to lead projects in these areas of the law, to provide strategic advice, to secure all types of resource consents or other approvals, to resolve “road blocks” or other disputes, to facilitate development activities and to provide reports or opinions. Derek has widespread contacts, as well as extensive links with many of the country’s leading experts, and he brings these strengths to any case he is involved with.

Education

  • LLB (Hons) - University of Auckland, 1974
  • LLM - London School of Economics and Political Science, London University, 1979
  • Admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand 30/01/1976

Bio

Derek Nolan KC has over 40 years’ experience as counsel in environmental, resource management, planning, natural resources and local government law (including rating disputes), and in public works claims. He is frequently sought after as counsel to lead projects in these areas of the law, to provide strategic advice, to secure all types of resource consents or other approvals, to resolve “road blocks” or other disputes, to facilitate development activities and to provide reports or opinions. Derek has widespread contacts, as well as extensive links with many of the country’s leading experts, and he brings these strengths to any case he is involved with.

Derek is also the Editor and an author of the leading environmental law textbook in New Zealand ‘Environmental and Resource Management Law’ (LexisNexis)

Case Highlights

America's Cup Infrastructure

Acted as senior counsel to secure consents for the America’s Cup infrastructure for the 2020 Defence, including the syndicate bases and the Event on Auckland’s Waterfront.


The Park Hyatt Hotel

Obtained resource consents for the Park Hyatt Hotel in the Wynyard Quarter on the Auckland Waterfront.


Commercial Bay Development

Obtained resource consents and road stopping approvals to enable the development of the Commercial Bay office and retail project on Lower Queen Street, Auckland.


NZ International Convention Centre

Acted as senior counsel for resource consents for the approval of the NZ International Convention Centre in Auckland.


NZ King Salmon

Acted as senior counsel for NZKS before the Board of Inquiry, High Court and Supreme Court for new salmon farms in the Marlborough Sounds.

What Others Say

Chambers and Partners Global Derek has been called a “top performer in environmental law” by respected sources and wins particular praise for his depth of knowledge and strategic vision” – Chambers and Partners Global


Doyle's Guide

Is listed as a leading environmental and resource management barrister in Doyle’s Guide 2019 and is also acknowledged in International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers.

RMLA Awards

Derek is the recipient of an “Outstanding Person Award” from the Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand “for his leadership and commitment to excellence in resource management practice.”


ALB Australasian Law Awards

Derek is also the winner of two other awards from the Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand; a Joint Winner of the New Zealand Deal of the Year in the ALB Australasian Law Awards (the Auckland Local Government Reorganisation) where Derek was a key legal adviser to the Auckland Transition Agency; and a Joint Winner of the Commercial Property and Construction Deal of the Year for Australia and New Zealand in the ALB Australasian Law Awards (Auckland Waterfront Redevelopment), where Derek was the key legal adviser on all environmental and resource management law issues.

Publications

  • Editor and an author of the leading environmental law textbook in New Zealand ‘Environmental and Resource Management Law’ (LexisNexis) second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and (current) seventh editions.
  • Derek has authored numerous articles and papers over his career in legal and resource management publications.
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Memberships

  • Member of NZ Law Society and NZ Bar Association
  • A founder, the second President and current member of the Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand
  • Former Vice-Chairman of the Environmental Law Committee of the Business Law Section of the International Bar Association
  • Former member of the Environmental Law Committee of the New Zealand Law Society, including being the convenor of the Committee from 2002-2006 (and chaired many New Zealand Law Society/Continuing Education’s Environmental Law Intensives.)


Community roles:

  • Past President of The Northern Club
  • Past Chairman of the Partnership, Russell McVeagh
  • Past Deputy Chairman and Ambassador New Zealand Maritime Museum
  • Past Member of Board of Governors, Diocesan School for Girls and currently member of the Board’s Campus Committee
  • Member of the Completion Committee of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland
  • Past Trustee, Elizabeth Knox Home and Hospital, Auckland