Daniel Minhinnick

Daniel's practice specialises in resource management and environmental litigation, and providing advice to major development projects. His expertise has led him to assist on a variety of projects including residential, retail, commercial and industrial, energy and infrastructure projects, mining and hazardous waste facilities.

Daniel is the firm's National Practice Group Chair for Environment, Planning and Natural Resources. Daniel has a wide range of experience in contentious and non-contentious environmental and planning matters. He has appeared before all levels of New Zealand's court system and is recognised in the New Zealand market as a talented litigator. Daniel offers advice for a range of clients on district and regional planning matters and legislative reform, local government matters and Public Works Act issues.

As well as considerable Court experience on resource management matters, Daniel has advised on a range of matters of public and corporate significance, including:

• Advising Panuku Development Auckland Limited on the consenting of a significant mixed-use development in Mount Eden, Auckland.
• Queens Wharf Cruise Upgrade – advising Panuku Development Auckland on the consenting of the new infrastructure to allow larger cruise ships to berth at Queens Wharf
• Drury South – advising on the development of the Drury South Precinct (a major greenfield development including 45 ha of residential land, 145 ha of industrial land and 90 ha of public open space), which has involved multiple plan changes, securing a special housing area, obtaining resource consents, and negotiation of infrastructure and project agreements.
• Advising Summerset Group on the consenting of a number of its retirement villages across New Zealand.
• Securing consents for the National Archives Facility in Central Wellington.
• Advising Port of Auckland on the applications for consent for deepening of the freight channel and for the disposal of material into an offshore disposal site.
• Advising Watercare Services on the St Mary's Bay wastewater and stormwater separation project.
• Securing resource consents for a new Bunnings warehouse in Queenstown.
• America's Cup – assisting the Crown in relation to the consenting of the infrastructure and facilities for the 36^th America's Cup event.
• SkyPath – securing the resource consents for the proposed walking and cycling pathway across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
• Advising Fonterra on planning issues for a number of sites across the country, including the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme, reverse sensitivity issues at various sites and in relation to Government policy reform.

LLB (Hons), BSc, University of Auckland

Daniel was admitted to practise in 2005 and has been at Russell McVeagh since. He was made partner in 2016.

Daniel is the National Practice Group Chair of Russell McVeagh's Environment, Planning and Natural Resources Team and is a member of the New Zealand Law Society's Environmental Law Committee. He is ranked in Chambers and Partners 2024 Guide in Environment and Resource Management law; Doyle's 2021 Guide as a leading lawyer in Environment and Resource Management law; the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024 Guide as a Leading Individual in Project and Resource Management law; and the IFLR1000 Asia Pacific 2024 Guide as 'Highly Regarded' in Project Development. Dan was also named by Best Lawyers® as 'Lawyer of the Year' 2023 in Planning Law, and in 2021 in Environmental Law, as well as being recognised for Environmental Law and Natural Resources Law and Land Use and Zoning Law in the 2023 Guide.

Client feedback in the Chambers and Partners 2022 Legal Guide emphasised Daniel's expertise in the Environment, Planning and Natural Resources sectors, stating Daniel: 

• "is an industry leader with an excellent track record on delivering often controversial, nationally significant projects"
• "is very good at communicating complex issues and providing tailored, responsive commercial advice"
• "provides advice and advocacy that is strategic, commercial and pragmatic. A real “go-to” to overcome hurdles and challenges in the consenting process."

Daniel has also contributed to the following publications:

• Co-author of the Water chapter in Environment and Resource Management Law (7^th Ed) 
• Co-author of the Minerals and Petroleum chapter in Environment and Resource Management Law (7^th Ed) 
• Author of the Minerals and Mining chapter of the Laws of New Zealand.
• Author of LexisNexis RMA Practical Guidance.
• Co-author of New Zealand chapter for the Global Geothermal transparency Guide
• Co-author of Intensification Streamlined Planning Processes