Delegation of the panel convener’s functions, duties and powers
The panel convener has delegated their functions and powers to the associate conveners, also retaining those powers.
A minute from the panel convener on 8 April 2025 sets out the delegated functions, duties and powers.
Minute from the panel convener: delegation to associate conveners (PDF, 120KB)
Panel convener Jane Borthwick
Jane Borthwick, a retired Environment Court Judge, brings over three decades of experience in environmental and resource management law to her new role as panel convener for the Fast-track Approvals Act. Her 15-year tenure on the bench, which concluded in 2024, embodied all areas of environmental litigation with a particular involvement in freshwater management in recent years.
Following her retirement from the bench, Jane has established an environmental dispute resolution practice. She also serves as an Adjunct Senior Fellow in the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Canterbury.
As panel convener, Jane will apply the judiciary's core values of independence, impartiality, and integrity to ensure open, transparent, and rigorous decision-making process within the legislative framework. Her appointment promises to bring thoughtful supportive leadership to this important initiative.
Associate panel convener Helen Atkins
Helen Atkins has been an experienced environmental, public law and local government lawyer for many years.
She has been an accredited commissioner (with the chair endorsement) under the Making Good Decisions Programme administered by the Ministry for the Environment for over ten years. In that capacity Helen has chaired many high-profile cases.
Under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020, Helen was appointed to chair an expert panel on a mixed-use consent application.
Helen has worked in both the public and private sectors throughout those years and has been involved in many large projects involving plan changes, resource consenting and notices of requirement.
Helen is an associate member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and runs workshops and webinars for them. She is also a member of the Resource Management Law Association and served on the Executive of the National Committee for a number of years. She is a regular contributor to the Water New Zealand Journal, Water.
In addition to her advisory and legal work, Helen has also served on many governance boards in both the private and public sectors, including as chair.
Associate panel convener Jennifer Caldwell
Jennifer is a senior partner and Auckland practice leader of Buddle Findlay's dedicated environment and resource management team. Jennifer has over 30 years' experience in environmental law and litigation, including strategic management, oversight and leadership of complex consenting projects.
Jennifer has led the consenting phase of many infrastructure projects over the course of her career. Since returning from overseas in 2012, Jennifer's work has focused particularly on designation for transport corridors (all modes, including rapid transit), electricity transmission consenting, and statutory planning processes to support infrastructure and housing development. She played a key role in advising Auckland Council on the promulgation of and hearing process for the Auckland Unitary Plan, and more recently provided detailed advice on the preparation of Specified Development Projects under the Urban Development Act 2020. Jennifer has held leadership positions on two professional services alliances (East West Link and Te Tupu Ngātahi | Supporting Growth).
Under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020, Jennifer successfully supported applicants to obtain approvals for a wastewater network capacity expansion, a shared-use path project and several State Highway upgrades. She was also appointed by the EPA to chair an expert panel on a residential subdivision application.
As well as her advisory and advocacy work, Jennifer is a member of the Property Council New Zealand Advisory Group, an associate member of the New Zealand Planning Institute, and served on the National Executive of the Resource Management Law Association for a number of years. Jennifer was a member of the Infrastructure New Zealand delegation to Ireland, Northern Ireland and Denmark in 2024, and is in high demand as a speaker at conferences in relation to infrastructure consenting and delivery and resource management law reform.