Senior Associate - Auckland
Brandon Watts
Expertise
About
Brandon specialises in environmental and planning law, with particular expertise in environmental compliance and enforcement matters.
His work typically relates to resource consents, designations, plan changes, and environmental enforcement. He has appeared before the High, District and Environment Courts.
Brandon has worked for a wide range of clients in a variety of sectors, including local government, government ministries, property development, industry, forestry, farming and energy. He represents clients in court hearings, local council hearings, negotiations and mediations, where he is known as pragmatic and persuasive.
He advises councils and other clients around the country about environmental compliance issues and has often provided training to council enforcement officers.
Recent Cases & Achievements
Auckland Council v Lau [2018] NZDC 1133
Obtained sentence of imprisonment for environmental offence.
Zhang v Auckland Council [2016] NZHC 962
Resisted challenge to validity of search warrant and admissibility of evidence.
Shanks v Auckland Council [2017] NZHC 745
Resisted application for interim orders in connection with a judicial review.
Auckland Council v Armistead [2021] NZDC 9716
First prosecution for breaching measures to prevent the spread of kauri die-back.
Ballantyne Barker Holdings Ltd v Queenstown Lakes District Council [2018] NZEnvC 181
Defended appeal seeking further subdivision in rural zone.
Credentials
LLB(Hons)/BA, University of Auckland