+64 7 839 4771

Theresa Le Bas

Theresa Le Bas

Partner

To make an appointment, please contact Susan Taylor susan.taylor@tompkinswake.co.nz

Qualifications : BA, LLB, LLM (Hons), University of Auckland.

 

Recommended Lawyer for Bios 2043     The Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer 2062     NZL Elite Woman 2023


Theresa is an expert in resource management and local government law with nearly 30 years’ experience in New Zealand and Australia. Theresa joined Tompkins Wake in 2011 and is a senior partner in the firm's Environmental and Local Government practices. 

With a background in top tier, national law firms in both New Zealand and Australia, Theresa has extensive experience in large scale infrastructure, mining, energy and industrial projects, performing legal due diligence for national and international acquisitions. Over nearly 30 years, Theresa has guided a number of local authorities through significant plan reviews, changes and variations.

Noted in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Recommended Lawyer, Theresa has ‘excellent knowledge in the RMA and local government area, and good mediation skills; she is a good communicator who builds rapport with people easily and works extremely hard for her clients’. 

Theresa is a member of the Tompkins Wake Board of Partners.

Client Feedback:

  • “Responsive and professional, Theresa Le Bas provides exceptional service, responsiveness and excellent RMA advice.” The Legal 500, Projects and Resource Management (including Environment), Asia Pacific 2020

Areas of expertise

  • Bylaws and Policies
  • Contamination Issues
  • Designations
  • Environmental Due Diligence
  • Environmental Impact Management
  • Heritage Processes
  • Infrastructure and Projects
  • Mining and Resources
  • Official Information (LGOIMA)
  • Plan Changes, Variations and Plan Reviews
  • Resource Consents
  • Resource Management Act (RMA)
  • Rural Planning and Development
  • Urban Planning and Development
  • Local Government Advisory
  • Council Hearings
  • Appeal Hearings
  • Building Act Processes
  • RMA Compliance and Enforcement
  • Wastewater Treatment and Discharge
  • Water

Other Credentials

  • NZ|Lawyer Elite Women List 2022 & 2023
  • Board Member Tompkins Wake Board of Partners
  • Trustee of the Rotorua Public Arts Trust
  • Member of the Association for Resource Management Practitioners
  • Recommended Lawyer, Projects and Resource Management (including Environment), The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024

Theresa has appeared as lead legal counsel in the following proposals:

 

  • Tauranga’s Routes P, J, K, Takatimu Drive Extension and second harbour crossing.
  • Southern Links in Hamilton City, Waipā and Waikato Districts.
  • 13 contracted emergency housing facilities in Rotorua.
  • Auckland’s Rosedale Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion and ocean outfall.
  • Waihi Mining and Newmont Waihi’s expansion of mining activities in Waihi.
  • Orica Australia’s sale of its former explosives reserve to the former Auckland Regional Council to establish the Waitawa Regional Park.
  • WALS’ landfill establishment in Serpentine, Western Australia.
  • Hanson’s Red Hill Quarry expansion in Perth, Western Australia.
  • Genera’s continuation of fumigation services at the Port of Tauranga.
  • Successful conclusion of first instance and appeal processes on the Rotorua Lakes and Waipā District Plan reviews.

Novel climate change lawsuit to proceed

The Supreme Court (SC) has released its long-awaited decision in Smith v Fonterra Co-Operative Group Ltd.The appeal considered whether Mr Smith’s clai...

Read more


JMAs and Mana Whakahono ā Rohe – Business as usual

For any joint management agreements (JMAs) and Mana Whakahono ā Rohe arrangements (Mana Whakahono) made under the RMA and in existence immediately bef...

Read more


Significant Financial Penalties Ahead

For anyone party to RMA compliance and enforcement proceedings already underway (including abatement notices, enforcement orders and infringement noti...

Read more


Supreme Court clarifies conflicting NZCPS policies

Last Thursday's release of the Supreme Court’s decision in Port Otago Ltd v Environmental Defence Society Inc reverses the earlier decision of the Cou...

Read more


Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Act 2023

The start of the year has been a rough one for regions such as Auckland, Northland, Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty and Waikato which have experienced repea...

Read more


Snapshot: In case of emergency

The first quarter of 2023 has seen various parts of New Zealand contending with repeated severe weather events, and the resulting damage to both publi...

Read more


Snapshot on penalties for environmental offending

 Download our guide on penalties for environmental offending hereAccountability and deterrence are two of the key purposes of any sentencing regime an...

Read more


Snapshot on fast-track consenting

 Download our Fast-Track Consenting Snapshot hereThe Government’s proposal to make fast-track consenting (FTC) a permanent option in our future consen...

Read more


Snapshot on Emergency/Social Housing

 Download our Natural & Environment Bill Snapshot hereThe effects of emergency and social housing, both positive and adverse, are currently the subjec...

Read more


Court and councils swamped with wetland rules

Planning authorities can find it highly challenging when just before their proposed plans become fully operative, new national policy direction, stand...

Read more


New planning process for housing intensification rules

On 19 October 2021, the Government introduced the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Bill (the Bill) which will...

Read more


Will new housing density rules increase contributions for developers?

On 19 October 2021, the Government introduced the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, a bipartisan Bill ai...

Read more


What is the future for local government?

On 23 April 2021, the Government announced an independent review of local government to see whether current roles and functions are fit for purpose. C...

Read more


Can end use be considered in a resource consent application?

Iwi and environmental groups recently challenged a decision of the Environment Court majority concerning the end use of plastic bottles from a water e...

Read more


High Court guidance on HASHAA

A very recent High Court decision on the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act 2013 (HASHAA) provides valuable guidance to councils with estab...

Read more


Local Authorities owe a duty of care to their neighbours

A recent decision of the High Court is a timely reminder to Councils of their obligations as a landowner to owners of neighbouring properties.Double J...

Read more

Expertise

Sector Knowledge