Simon Peirce

Simon is a specialist Resource Management and Environmental Lawyer based in Dunedin, advising clients across the Otago region and the South Island. He partners with developers, Councils, rural industry, and infrastructure providers to navigate the complexities of the Resource Management Act (RMA) and its evolving replacement frameworks.

Simon’s practice covers the full spectrum of resource management, environment and planning law, with specific expertise in:

• Agribusiness & Rural Industry: Advising farmers and rural industry on environmental compliance and land use, with specialist expertise in the commercial layer poultry sector. This includes strategic advice on intensive farming consents, discharge permits, and managing rural-residential interfaces.
• Electricity Infrastructure: Strategic advice for utility providers on network protection, vegetation management, Public Works Act land acquisition, and managing reverse sensitivity effects within District and Regional plans.
• Local Government Advisory: Acting for Councils on statutory functions, plan interpretation, and decision-making under the Local Government Act, Water Services Act and RMA.
• Environmental Due Diligence: Providing robust pre-purchase advice for residential and farming property transactions, assessing environmental liability, consent status, and compliance risks based on your unique development aspirations.
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Expert advocacy in Council hearings and the Environment Court, specialising in complex appeals, mediation, enforcement proceedings, and declaratory judgment proceedings.
• Strategic Policy & Reform: Assisting clients navigate evolving environmental regulation particularly during transition periods and through new legislation, including the Fast-Track Approvals Act and proposed RMA replacements.