Ms Christina Sheard > Dentons New Zealand > Auckland, New Zealand > Lawyer Profile

Dentons New Zealand
18 VIADUCT HARBOUR AVE
PRIVATE BAG 92101
AUCKLAND 1142
New Zealand

Work Department

Environment and planning

Position

Partner

Career

Christina is a partner in our environment and planning team. She is a resource management specialist with 20 years’ experience in leading law firms in Auckland and London. Her dual legal and planning qualifications give her a unique ability to provide strategic and pragmatic legal advice on environmental and planning issues.

She regularly advises industrial, commercial, residential and government clients on all aspects of the Resource Management Act and associated legislation, efficiently guiding them through the consenting process from the early stages of the business case phase through to resolution of appeals and compliance during the construction process. With a well-earned reputation for delivering pragmatic legal advice that avoids a heavily caveated, risk adverse approach, Christina provides valuable strategic guidance to project teams.

Through her experience consenting major infrastructure projects, such as transportation and energy generation projects, she has significant experience working collaboratively within large project teams. She also has a proven track record successfully negotiating agreements with stakeholders. Her specialist expertise in freshwater management includes developing effective adaptive management conditions.

Christina also has extensive experience with district and regional plan formulation, private plan change applications and legislative reform.

Languages

English

Memberships

Member of Resource Management Law Association
Associate member of the New Zealand Planning Institute

Education

LLB, University of Canterbury 1994
MPlanPrac (Hons), University of Auckland 1996

Lawyer Rankings

New Zealand > Projects and resources management (including environment)

The environment and planning team at Dentons New Zealand is the premier choice for major clients, such as Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency, KiwiRail, Wellington Water Limited and Airbnb. Lauded for its ‘very practical and pragmatic’ approach, the team regularly handles complex infrastructure development projects and is noted for its particular expertise in water infrastructure. The practice is jointly led by Wellington-based Nicky McIndoe and Auckland-based Christina Sheard. McIndore is sought after by clients for her focus on the Resource Management Act, heritage, conservation and public works, and local government legislation relevant to infrastructure. Sheard has expertise obtaining designations and alterations to designations for projects. Paul Buetow is a key port of call for government agencies, local authorities, large principals and contractors in the construction space.

New Zealand > Transport (rail, road, air and sea)

Dentons New Zealand’s transport practice draws from the firm’s wider projects, construction, environment, planning, banking, property and corporate practices. The team has an in-depth knowledge of sectors including road, rail, ferries, bridges, public transport and cycling and distinguishes itself through its ability to support at all stages of a project lifecycle, including PPPs. In Auckland, Matthew Ockleston leverages his knowledge of the Public Works Act 1981 to support on public land acquisitions, meanwhile Paul Buetow focuses on significant infrastructure projects; the duo co-leads the team alongside Christina Sheard, an expert in the Resource Management Act.