Amy Robinson
Co-Director EIS
RMA Hearing Commissioner
ASAP | RUA Board Member
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
Independent RMA Commissioner
Amy particularly enjoys RMA Commissioner work. This work ranges from making independent notification and substantive decisions on non-notified consent applications, through to notification decisions on high public interest applications, through to sitting on hearings. Her previous role as Regional Consents Manager at Waikato Regional Council has provided her with an inherent ability to understand complex resource management issues, and make well-considered, legally robust decisions.
Hearing Experience
Amy has sat on the following hearing panels:
Environment Canterbury and Christchurch City Council – Panellist for Christchurch City Council Avon-Heathcote Ihutai Estuary edge erosion and inundation protection structures consent, December 2025
Western Bay of Plenty District Council – Panelist for Glen Isla seawall consent, August 2025
Environment Canterbury – Sole commissioner for Christchurch City Council comprehensive stormwater consents decision objection to conditions hearing, August 2025
Environment Canterbury – Sole commissioner for Timaru District Council comprehensive stormwater consents decision objection to duration hearing, August 2025
Environment Canterbury – Sole Commissioner for Adam’s Sawmill cost objections hearing, December 2024
Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council – Shaw Road seawall joint hearing panel member, scheduled for mid-2026
Coastal Management
Amy’s true passion is coastal management. She has provided coastal planning expertise to a large range of stakeholders including regional and district councils, NZTA, DOC, and not for profit groups. She is an ex Co-Chair of the New Zealand Coastal Society, a member of the Whangamatā dune protection group, and has an MSc in physical coastal processes. She has experience in coastal plan reviews and consenting, covering such matters as coastal erosion management, mangrove management, dredging, beach scraping, coastal structures (ports, seawalls, jetties and boat ramps), reclamation, marina developments, boardwalks, canal developments, marine farming and bird roosts to name a few!
RMA Planning
Coastal planning specialist
Resource consent project work including landfill expansion and closure, roading projects, regional plan submissions, river, lake and wetland management, planning feasibility studies, iwi liaison and indigenous biodiversity
Preparation of a consenting strategy for Plan Change 1 of the Waikato Regional Plan
Lead planner for NZTA’s submissions on the proposed Waikato Regional Coastal Plan
Delivery of Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Order in Council planning work for Coromandel, NZTA
Climate Adaptation
Amy has a particular interest in climate adaptation, particularly at the coast. She was proud to be the Establishment Lead, setting up the Aotearoa Society of Adaptation Professionals | Rōpū Urutaunga Aotearoa (ASAP | RUA) – New Zealand’s first society for adaptation practitioners, which launched in October 2025 – and now sits on the ASAP | RUA Board. She has worked with Thames-Coromandel District Council in relation to shoreline management plan implementation, specifically the Thames Protection and Resilience project. She has also collaborated with Haskoning NZ in developing Auckland Council’s ‘Build Better’ infrastructure adaptation strategy.
Leadership
Project Management
Amy prides herself on being organized and efficient. Recent project management roles she has led include:
Project Manager for Department of Conservation Fast-track Approvals Act work (Waihi North mining, Taharoa Ironsands reconsenting and extension, Tukituki water security, Bream Bay sand extraction and Clutha pumped hydro projects)
Establishment Lead setting up the Aotearoa Society of Adaptation Professionals | Rōpū Urutaunga Aotearoa (ASAP | RUA)
Transfer of the Port of Taharoa Harbourmaster responsibility from Maritime New Zealand to Waikato Regional Council
NZARM capability building program
Staff management
As a consultant Amy has delivered the post-implementation structure review for the Primary Industry and Engagement section of Waikato Regional Council. She also developed staff management processes and procedures for Element Environmental Ltd.
Amy is a previous Co-Chair and executive committee member and of New Zealand Coastal Society and currently sits on the Board for Aotearoa Society of Adaptation Professionals | Rōpū Urutaunga Aotearoa (ASAP | RUA).
In her previous management roles Amy has:
Successfully managed a high-performing team, leading change management initiatives
Designed and led a full restructure of the Consents section, creating new roles to improve efficiency
Set strategic direction for regulatory functions, working with the Executive Leadership Team and Councillors
Improved systems and processes to enhance operational efficiency and streamline regulatory workflows
Established clear KPIs and role clarity for staff, ensuring accountability and prioritization
Driving behaviour change in regulatory department by focussing on pragmatic solutions; Moving to a partnership model with focus on positive environmental outcomes
