Celebrating the Career of Environment Court Judge Brian Dwyer

Environment Court Judge Brian Dwyer will officially retire on the 4th of December but will be farewelled by RMLA & NZPI, at a special retirement function on November 11.

Judge Brian Dwyer was admitted to the Bar in February 1973, working under the (1953) Town & Country Planning Act. This Act was soon updated in 1976, and then in 1991 the Blenheim based solicitor began working under the RMA. He jokes that he’s now retiring because he can’t face the prospect of having to learn how about a new one. Brian will officially retire on the 4th of December but will be farewelled by RMLA and NZPI, at a special retirement function on November 11.

When asked about his career Brian says the variety in his work has been incredible. As a judge he’s presided over everything from neighbourhood disputes over a garage, to chairing the Board of Inquiry for Transmission Gulley. He’s also grateful for the staff he’s worked with in the Court system. He says the commissioners have been wonderful and his judicial colleagues have always been there to assist if he ran into any thorny issues.

Brian was born in Blenheim but has also worked extensively out of Picton. In 1992 he says he was fortunate to have been appointed as counsel to the Marlborough District Council. At this time he recalls there was something of a “gold rush” of people wanting to establish marine farms in the Sounds, and at one point there were over 100 appeals to these applications before the Environment Court. For very appeal Brian says there were multiple parties; neighbours, recreational boaties, environmental groups and iwi / hāpu who had a significant interest. “It was a quick way to learn”.

The Judge was appointed to the Environment Court in September 2006 and has actively served in this role for the last 18 years. When asked about the Environment Court system Brian says it’s important to have an independent decision-maker in these important processes. “I think the Environment Court does a good job but any court process is seen as bringing costs and delays”. He explains that any judicial body has obligations where everyone who wishes to, has the right to be heard. These hearings require the alignment of schedules and court time. But “If you want an independent arbiter of outcomes this is the price you pay. If it was easy we would do it quickly”.

Brian and his wife live in Waikawa Bay, just northeast of Picton, with Derek the caboodle who “has taken over from the children who are long gone”. The pair have an “old Sounds launch” that they love to take out into the Sounds for up to two weeks at a time. He says they want to travel now that he has the time but are also focused on exploring the 1,600km of coastline in the Marlborough Sounds, enjoying the walking tracks, and spending more time in their boat.

We’re pleased to extend an invitation to you to attend a special occasion in honour of Judge Brian Dwyer. To mark this important milestone and to celebrate his numerous contributions to the Environment Court and the legal profession, a Judicial Retirement Celebration will be held on Monday 11th November, hosted by RMLA and NZPI.

Date: Monday 11 November

Time: from 5:00pm

Hosted by: Buddle Findlay

Address: AON Centre, 1 Willis Street, Wellington

For catering purposes, we kindly request that you RSVP before the 6th of November here.