Programme
Land Development Engineering Forum 2025
Technical Programme and Field Trip
Day 1 - Thursday 20 November
8:45am - 9:00am
Welcome & mihi
Darren Rewi
9:00am - 9:10am
Land Development Engineering Group (LDEG) Introduction
Kelly LaValley, LDEG Chair
Murray Pugh, Āpōpō CE
9:10am - 9:45am
Selwyn’s story is a case study in rapid growth and infrastructure strain. As one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing districts, Selwyn has seen its population more than double in two decades—outpacing neighbouring regions and national averages. But this growth has exposed critical gaps in infrastructure, from education and health services to transport and housing.
The “True Cost of Growth” presentation offers a data-rich look at what happens when development accelerates faster than investment. It’s a compelling foundation for national discussion on how local government can plan, build, and adapt resilient infrastructure to meet the demands of tomorrow.
Sam Broughton is the former Mayor of Selwyn District and current President of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ). Serving three terms as Mayor, Sam has nearly 15 years’ experience in local government. He’s passionate about his community and takes a pragmatic, people-first approach to leadership. Under his guidance, Selwyn became New Zealand’s fastest-growing district. As LGNZ President, Sam champions the role of local government nationally, advocating for stronger partnerships and sustainable growth across Aotearoa.
9:45am - 10:00am
In late 2025, QLDC will embark on the construction of one of the largest wastewater projects in their current Long Term Plan portfolio. The UCWWCS will establish infrastructure that will transfer wastewater from Hawea to the existing Project Pure WW treatment plant located in Wanaka. Not only will this allow the decommissioning of the existing at-capacity Hawea WW treatment plant but also enables the ongoing development of housing that is needed to accommodate an estimated extra 15,000 residents within the growing district over the next 25 years.
This presentation will provide an overview of the implementation of the scheme, which consists of one new and one refurbished pumping station, and 20km of pipework including the crossing of three major rivers.
Iain Partington is Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Project Manager tasked with the delivery of this milestone project. Iain has over 30 years’ experience in the water industry, gained through the successful delivery of a significant number of multi-disciplinary projects. His past experience has encompassed the full range of roles including designer, technical lead, project manager, and project director.
10:00am - 10:25am
QLDC’s Code of Practice & Whole of Life Asset Management.
Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has recently completed an update to its Land Development and Subdivision Code of Practice (LDS COP), which is now operative across the district.
As one of the key staff involved in this process, Sam will provide background into the major changes and the drivers behind them, outline the update process, and share some of the challenges faced and lessons learned along the way.
Mike will bring an important perspective from an asset management background. He will cover the importance of ensuring that infrastructure assets last the test of time as well as insights on how this can be achieved through asset management changes and alignment with the LDS COP.
Sam is a Civil Engineer and works as an Infrastructure Development Engineer within QLDC’s Property and Infrastructure team. He brings over 10 years of experience in the industry, ranging across both consultancy and local government roles.
Mike is an Asset Manager within the QLDC’s Transport Asset Management team. He brings over 14 years experience in the industry ranging across both contracting and local government roles.
11:00am - 11:30am
The ever-evolving resource management system and what recent changes really mean for land development.
Just keeping up with what’s changing in the resource management system is hard enough, let alone working out what those changes mean in practice. At the time of writing this description new resource Management legislation is again being developed. Even without that monumental change, new national policy directions (including infrastructure) will have implications for land development. This presentation will attempt to cut through the hundreds of pages of new legislation and policy directions and answer the question “what do the changes to the resource management system mean on the ground?”
Mike Doesburg is a Partner in Wynn Williams’ Environment + Planning team, specialising in resource management and local government law. With expertise in project consenting as well as complex district and regional planning processes, Mike is regularly engaged by clients on contentious projects or planning matters. Mike regularly appears before independent hearings panels, the Environment Court and High Court.
11:30am - 12:10pm
This presentation will cover best practice and recent innovations in sealing, pavement construction and testing. Hot or cold, rain or shine – effective sealing for every condition. You will hear about the latest in materials, quality testing, and construction methods.
Bryan is one of the leading roading engineering specialists in Australia and New Zealand. He is chair of the National Technical Pavements Group, a NZ industry best practice and road engineering group comprised of leading experts from consultants, contractors, industry associations, local government and NZTA.
Bryan's current responsibilities include strategic leadership for road pavement and materials engineering, training and research at Fulton Hogan. Bryan has authored or co-authored over 100 technical papers in New Zealand and internationally. He has been involved in local roads since 1986.
From 1986 to 1998, he was a Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, specializing in pavement engineering.
During 1998-2000, Bryan was Chief Executive of the NZ Pavement & Bitumen Contractors' Association.
Dr Pidwerbesky is a Chartered Professional Engineer, Distinguished Fellow of Engineering NZ and Senior Adjunct Fellow in Civil Engineering at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch.
12:10pm - 12:20pm
Digital Badge: LD220 - Understanding the Land
Clare Hamilton, Tauranga City Council
1:15pm - 2:30pm
Workshop: Life on the ground
2:30pm - 3:05pm
Queenstown Lakes is expanding – we’re one of the fastest-growing districts in the country and a top destination for visitors.
With all this growth comes some big questions: How do we build smartly, protect what makes this place special, and still make room for everyone? Juggling housing, infrastructure, the environment, and community wellbeing has its challenges – especially when space is limited and the landscape throws in its own set of constraints. Managing this growth for the Te Tapuae Southern Corridor will be the focus of this presentation.
Catriona (pronounced Catrina) is a Chartered Civil Engineer focused on long-term infrastructure and land use planning in the Queenstown Lakes District. After two years managing the technical side of land development through processing subdivisions, she now concentrates on strategic planning for high growth areas with a focus on infrastructure. Experienced in navigating planning legislation and engineering standards, she works to ensure developments align with the district’s vision.
Cameron (Cam) has worked as a Strategic Planner for the past 18 years, contributing to some of the fastest-growing councils across the South Island. This experience has allowed Cam to engage with growth-related challenges, including navigating the impacts of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury Earthquakes. Throughout his career, he has led the integration of Structure Plans into District Plans and collaborated closely with developers, government departments, and the community to deliver outcomes for new development areas. Most recently, Cam joined the Queenstown Lakes District Council, where he has been applying his expertise over the past six months.
3:05pm - 3:35pm
Hanley’s Farm is a residential development in Queenstown comprising 1,800 lots, initiated in 2015 and now entering its final stage of construction. The project required significant upfront investment in enabling infrastructure, including bulk water supply, wastewater systems, and flood protection works. This was made possible through shared delivery between the developer and Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), supporting a private initiative with public benefit.
This project helped Hanley’s Farm evolve into a vibrant community. Enhancements include a developer-funded cash donation to the local school, construction of an all-weather ball sports surface, and expansion of the school hall to accommodate basketball. Reserve upgrades far exceeded minimum development contribution requirements, featuring high-quality playgrounds, a cycle pump track, a skate park, outdoor exercise equipment, and a running track. Over 9km of trails, a community garden, and landscaped corridors were delivered outside the scope of the engineering Code of Practice.
Flood protection channels and dams, while essential infrastructure, have been integrated with landscaping and trails to become valued community assets. Lot sizes were intentionally designed to improve affordability and accessibility, with shared garden spaces supporting residents without compromising private lots. Stormwater quality testing has confirmed good outcomes post-development, though results highlight the importance of sediment and debris control during civil and residential construction phases. Poor soil conditions were addressed through bespoke engineering solutions tailored to site-specific challenges.
Lessons learned include the need to anticipate the large numbers of ancillary residential flats, which impacted electricity demand and on-street parking. Speed control narrowings proved unnecessary, and some streets lacked adequate two-way passing. District plan changes to on-site parking rules may have contributed. Real wastewater volumes were lower than design expectations, suggesting opportunities to optimise future infrastructure sizing.
Future developments could benefit from more diverse road corridor profiles than set out by the Code of Practice, as well as early planning for bus stop locations. The presentation will include drone imagery (where permissible) to illustrate key engineering and community features.
Iain Banks – Senior Principal Engineer/Senior Team Leader at Stantec
Iain Banks is a Chartered Civil Engineer based in Queenstown with 25 years of experience in land development and infrastructure delivery. He has led major projects for Stantec, including the Hanley’s Farm and Park Ridge subdivisions and the upcoming Homestead Bay development, and currently oversees the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Minor Works Programme. Iain specialises in contract management, design leadership, and delivering practical solutions for growing communities.
Patrick Leslie – Civil Engineer at Stantec
Patrick is a Civil Engineer based in Queenstown with over 10 years of experience in land development and infrastructure design. He has contributed to major subdivision projects such as Hanley’s Farm and Park Ridge, with a focus on design, review, and on-site delivery. Patrick has served as Engineer’s Representative across multiple contracts, applying practical, site-responsive solutions to ensure quality outcomes and environmental compliance.
4:05pm - 4:30pm
In 2024, Infinity Investment Group started construction of Cromwell’s newest development, Shannon Farm: 160 lifestyle properties set amongst 142 hectares of rolling land. Our aim is to make this Cromwell’s best lifestyle development – rivalling any in the District, with a key focus on providing space – with sections from 1,500m² to 3ha.
Following our successful Wanaka developments, we aim set a new standard for the region. But realising this vision from bare land to first titles in December 2025 hasn’t been easy. Paul will discuss the life cycle of the project and how he has brought every unique aspect to life.
Paul joined Infinity Investment Group in 2009 as Chief Financial Officer. In November 2014 Paul was appointed Managing Director to oversee the transition period for the company following the death of Bob Robertson. On 19 October 2016, Paul appointed an independent board to take over governance of the company while Paul continues to focus on the business and his role as CEO.
Prior to joining Infinity, Paul was based in London where he was Assistant Portfolio Manager for one of UBS Global Asset Management property funds, which managed commercial properties in Europe worth 1billion euros.
Paul has over 25 years experience in the property and finance industry and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and a Graduate Diploma in Finance. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds an Investment Management certificate. In his spare time he enjoys going to the gym, watching sport and spending time with his family.
4:30pm - 5:10pm
Panel: Smart Growth, Strong Foundations
Chaired by Jeremy Rees
Catriona Lamont - QLDC, Hayden Bed - QLDC, Paul Croft - Shannon Farm and Mike Doesburg - Wynn Williams
As Aotearoa faces unprecedented development pressures, how do we ensure our infrastructure is not only delivered quickly - but built to last? This panel brings together voices from across the land development ecosystem: legal, strategic, technical, and commercial. With insights from an RMA lawyer, a developer, a council planning engineer, and a development engineer, we’ll explore how resilient infrastructure can support rapid growth, and what it takes to align planning frameworks, engineering realities, and community expectations. Expect a candid, solutions-focused conversation on the future of infrastructure in fast-growing regions.
Wrap-up & Recap
Dinner at Skyline
Buffet style dinner + welcome drink
(cash bar)
10:30pm
Depart Skyline
Day 2 - Friday 21 November
SOLD OUT (Waitlist only)
Field Trip
Includes coach, boxed lunch, site tours and informative guides
PPE: All field trip participants are required to bring their own hi-vis vest
8:00am
Depart Holiday Inn
We will depart Holiday Inn and take a short drive to the Southern Corridor to visit Hanley's Farm. Then, we will drive through the Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell, with two stops - Shannon Farm and Wooing Tree Estate - taking participants behind the scenes of some of the regions most exciting developments. A picnic lunch is provided, with a lunch stop at Old Cromwell Town.
Hanley’s Farm is a master-planned development that invites residents to enjoy simple, modern living in an extraordinary setting.
Nestled behind vineyards, cherry orchards and framed by the majestic Pisa Range is Central Otago Lakes newest lifestyle subdivision, Shannon Farm.
You are invited to view this showcase development and learn the story behind its evolution, including about the hurdles faced, and lessons learned.
13 National franchisee builders have purchased a section for their show-homes, a significant endorsement. When it is complete, Shannon Farm will have the biggest show-home village on Central Lakes.
The development has its own zoning, giving subdivision a point of difference there. The proximity of Shannon Farm to the Cromwell township means other developers cannot compete, and it would be difficult to replicate.
The vision for Wooing Tree Estate is to create a high-quality, mixed use neighbourhood that retains the essence of the award-winning vineyard. Through collaborative design and a strong vision, Veros have set a new standard for land development in Cromwell.
Project highlights:
- Partnership with a shared vision - Wooing Tree Development Partnership, facilitated by Veros in September 2019, brought together the Wooing Tree Vineyard owners and a Tauranga-based investment company who both shared the vision of a boutique vineyard development.
- The connection to Wooing Tree Vineyard will remain with vines growing on the rural edges of the development and cellar door and restaurant within in the commercial area. Fast-track Consenting - Wooing Tree Estate was among the first projects to be approved by the Environmental Protection Authority for fast-track consent under new legislation. This enabled the delivering of homes 18 months sooner than a traditional RMA process.
3:00pm
Arrive back at Holiday Inn
Drop off at Queenstown airport available if required