If you think a government or council decision is wrong and you can't appeal it, you may be able challenge it by seeking a judicial review or declaration. This is often the only effective way of getting a meaningful change.

I successfully challenged the way in which a Council prepared its Regional Policy Statement, where the Council sought to streamline the process and significantly reduce public participation. In another case, I successfully challenged a decision by the Auditor General to allow Council committees to be exempt from conflict of interest requirements.

I have been involved in legal teams that went to the Supreme Court to successfully challenge decisions on the land swap for the Ruataniwha Dam and the access arrangement for the Te Kuha opencast coal mine.