Tom Atkins

Senior Associate

Tom is an experienced environmental and planning lawyer who advises clients across the public and private sectors on all aspects of environmental and resource management law. With a unique blend of experience from across New Zealand and the UK, Tom has developed specialised expertise in the consenting of infrastructure and energy projects of regional and national significance.

Tom has worked across a broad range of sectors including renewable energy (in particular solar), transport, airports, wastewater, dairy manufacturing, retail development, and waste management. He is passionate about achieving the best outcome for clients through a collaborative, commercially minded approach. He enjoys working closely with clients and strives to understand their business needs and aspirations.

Tom provides strategic and targeted advice to support clients in achieving their development and sustainability goals in the face of complex environmental and planning law matters, including resource consents, notices of requirement, and public and private plan changes. He also has extensive experience in matters involving litigation and advocacy, representing clients before independent hearings commissioners and in the Environment Court, as both applicant and submitter.

Prior to joining MinterEllisonRuddWatts, Tom practiced as an Associate at a major UK law firm where he advised major infrastructure providers across the public and private sectors, including promoters of nationally significant solar farms and water resources schemes. Tom began his career at another leading law firm in Auckland.

Career highlights

Advised and represented Tillbridge Solar through the development consent order process for its 500MW solar farm in Lincolnshire, UK.

Advised Sunnica Limited on the development consent order process for its 500MW solar farm in Cambridgeshire-Suffolk, UK, including successfully defending a judicial review challenge against the decision to grant development consent.

Assisted Thames Water in the development of its consenting strategy for a new reservoir in southeast England.

Advised Waste Management in relation to its application for resource consents to construct and operate a new landfill cell at Tirohia.

Advised Watercare on the consenting strategy and ongoing compliance matters relating to the Central Interceptor, including the tunnel extension from Western Springs to Grey Lynn.

Advised and represented Auckland Airport in relation to its notice of requirement to alter its designations for its second runway.

Acted for a range of infrastructure and industry sector clients in relation to their participation in district and regional plan change processes across New Zealand.

Affiliations
  • Member, Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand (RMLA)
Achievements and recognition
  • Tier 1 team, Projects and Resource Management, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific