Commissioner / Barrister

ABOUT ME

Helen atkins

Kia ora tātou.

My name is Helen Atkins, Commissioner/Barrister. I am a legal specialist with thirty years of experience in the areas of environmental, public, and local government law. I’ve been working in the Commissioner space alongside my Barrister work since 2014.

I’ve spent much of my career advising both the private and public sector on local and central government matters. Commissioner work and governance is a particular interest and strength of mine.

I’ve been involved in a variety of commissioner roles under both the Resource Management Act and the Local Government Act. I am both on panels, but I also get contacted directly to assist.

I’ve been involved in governance boards, most recently the Waiora Aotearoa Water New Zealand board (Water NZ) and the board of the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), in various roles over the years.

To find out more about my experience and background, please feel free to read through the What I Do page on this website. If you’d like to work with me, I’d love to hear from you; you can email me on Helen.Atkins@atkinslaw.nz.

Ngā mihi,
Helen

LEGAL SERVICES

HOW I CAN HELP

My view on my legal practice, including my commissioner and governance roles, is that the law isn’t as black and white as many people think. The law provides a framework. I look at my work as finding solutions to problems within the scope that framework offers. I enjoy the way my work allows me to draw on my creativity and empathy, as I dig deep to really understand each person and their unique circumstances to find a solution that works for everyone involved. It’s important to me that each party walks away from a legal dispute feeling heard and respected, with their mana and autonomy intact, and I will always strive for outcomes that allow for that to be the case.
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legal advice

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Governance

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local government

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commissioner

Relevant Qualifications

Qualifications

  • LLB (Bachelor of Laws) Canterbury 1988
  • Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand 1988
  • Solicitor of Supreme Court of England and Wales 1992
  • Accredited decision maker for Resource Management Act and Local Government Act decisions since 2010
Relevant Memberships

  • New Zealand Law Society 1988 to present
  • Law Society of England and Wales 1992 to present
  • Associate Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute 1994 to present
  • Member of the Resource Management Law Association 1995 to present
  • Member of Water New Zealand 2010 to present
  • Membership of the Institute of Directors 2014 to present

Relevant appointments

  • Trustee on the Board of Trustees for the Nightsong Theatre Company (an independent Auckland based theatre company) in early 2022.
  • Committee member of the newly established Water Advisory Committee of Utility Disputes in late 2021.
  • Board member of the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) since 2016 (appointed). Appointed Deputy Chair in 2019 (Board appointed), Chair in 2021 to 2024 (Board appointed) and Chair of Appointments and Remuneration Committee 2024.
  • Board member of Water New Zealand (the Association of Water and Wastewater Engineers) since 2013 (elected). Appointed President-Elect in 2019 (Board appointed), President (Board Chair) in 2020 – 2022, Past President 2022 – 2023. Member of the 10th IWA – Aspire Conference and Water New Zealand Conference and Expo 2025.
  • Accredited RMA Commissioner (including Chair accreditation) – chaired and sat on numerous decision-making panels.
  • Decision-Making Commissioner for Watercare Services Limited appointed 2017.
  • Development Contributions Commissioner appointed 2014 – chaired and sat on over a dozen decision making panels.
  • Committee Member of the Hazardous Substance and New Organisms Committee to the Environmental Protection Authority (Board appointed with Ministerial approval) (2011 – 2015).
  • Managing Director of Atkins Holm Majurey Limited, an environment and public law legal practice based in Auckland (2009 – 2023).
  • Board Member of the Environmental Risk Management Authority (Cabinet appointment) (2004 – 2011).
  • Member (Select Committee appointment) Local Government and Environment Committee (Panel member advising on the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill) (2009).
  • Member (by Ministerial appointment) of the Agrichemical Trespass Ministerial Advisory Committee (2002).
  • Chair of the Wellington Branch of the Institute (by application) (1995 – 1997).
  • National Committee Executive Officer member (elected) of the Resource Management Law Association (1997 – 2004 and 2007 – 2011 (including as President from 2009 – 2011).
  • Affiliate Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute (by application) (since 1994).

Relevant Roles

  • Solicitor Hunter Ralfe, Nelson (1988-1989)
  • In-house lawyer at Oxford City Council, England (1989 – 1993)
  • Senior Solicitor Kensington Swan (1993 – 1995) during which time 2+ years were spent In-house at the Ministry for the Environment
  • Senior Solicitor Russell McVeagh (1995 – 1999)
  • Partner DLA Phillips Fox (1999 – 2009)
  • Managing Partner / Director Atkins Holm Majurey (2009 – July 2023)
  • Barrister sole

To speak with me about my local government work or request legal advice, please email me at Helen.Atkins@atkinslawnz.

Call Helen