Michael Garbett
Partner, Ōtepoti | Dunedin
BCom, LLB, University of Otago
Michael specialises in local government and resource management law, having practiced in these areas with Anderson Lloyd since 1998. His work is a combination of district plan development, Environment Court cases, strategic advice on governance for councils, expertise on compliance with legislation, and policy advice.
Michael has acted for various territorial local authorities, including Dunedin City Council, Waitaki District Council, Timaru District Council, Waimate District Council, Clutha District Council, Gore District Council, Southland District Council and Christchurch City Council. His work has involved legal advice on a wide range of legal issues involving Councils such as decision making requirements.
In the resource management arena, he regularly works on a wide range of issues such as appeals on resource consents, enforcement options, prosecutions, plan development, and designations with a range of technical experts to assist his clients – including engineers, landscape specialists, traffic experts, scientists, economists and planners.
Michael enjoys contributing to the intensive debate on project development and consenting. He appreciates complex legal issues and is an expert advocate with extensive court experience. His approach is to anticipate the issues and help clients efficiently navigate them with a mix of the law and practical ideas. Michael believes it is important to clearly set out the legal principles, the options available, and then provide guidance to enable his clients to make informed decisions.
Michael is currently the treasurer, and former chairperson, of the Otago/Southland branch of the Resource Management Law Association.
Michael has written for industry journals such as New Zealand Local Government and the Resource Management Law Association Journal on local government reform and law changes, as well as resource management issues.