People

Michelle Mehlhopt

Special Counsel

Environment & Planning and Local Government

Recognised in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific legal directory 2022.

T +64 3 379 7622 M +64 27 386 8027

Specialist areas of practice

  • Local government law
  • Environmental law
  • District and regional planning
  • Biosecurity law
  • Water services law

Michelle is a Special Counsel in the local government and environmental law and planning team at Wynn Williams, based in Christchurch. She specialises in resource management, environmental and local government law, advising councils and public sector clients across New Zealand.

She has extensive expertise in a wide range of areas, including district and regional planning and policy, resource consents, bylaws, regulatory and strategic advice for local authorities under the Resource Management Act (RMA) and Local Government Act (LGA). She has also worked on secondment for a local authority.

Michelle has been heavily involved in earthquake recovery, urban development and land use planning in Canterbury and recently involved in freshwater planning and resource consent applications in the Otago Region.  She regulatory advises local authorities on legislative and regulatory change and assists Councils with the preparation of submissions, legislative and regulatory compliance, consultation and decision-making.

Michelle has specialist expertise in biosecurity law, assisting councils with the development and implementation of regional pest management plans and water services law, assisting councils with the development and implementation of water services delivery plans and compliance with Local Water Done Well legislation.

Michelle is a ‘Making Good Decisions’ certificate holder and is accredited to sit as a commissioner on an RMA hearing panel.  Michelle is also a member of the Parliamentary Counsel Office Legislation Services Panel.