Hamish Wesney receives the NZPI Distinguished Service Award

Wellington-based planner Hamish Wesney was awarded the NZPI Distinguished Service Award at the Wellington Branch celebration of World Town Planning Day.

Hamish is a partner and board member at Boffa Miskell. He joined the company in 2004, and was previously the managing partner of the Wellington Office.

In recognising Hamish’s contribution to the planning profession, the citation noted:

Hamish has made a significant contribution over many years to the image and practice of planning and has advanced the theory and practice of planning in New Zealand. He has done this through his leadership in policy, plan development for several district and regional councils (Hamish has led six full District Plan reviews for district councils, and a significant number of plan changes, addressing a broad range of issues and challenges), and his leadership in several award-winning planning projects and several ‘firsts’ in the planning industry, including a lead role in the first-ever combined District Plan (Wairarapa’s Combined District Plan); and leading New Zealand’s first-ever digital district plan, and first district plan to implement the National Planning Standards (New Plymouth’s Proposed District Plan).

Hamish is a well-rounded planner having also led the consenting for a wide range of projects, with quality outcomes. Hamish willingly shares his knowledge with clients and peers and is dedicated to building capacity and mentoring other planners. Hamish has also benefitted the planning profession by presenting at NZPI events, preparing implementation guidance for local authorities on the National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy, and best practice notes for the Quality Planning website for the Ministry for the Environment

Hamish was nominated by Jaimee Cannon, and his award was presented by Robert Schofield (FNZPI), in the presence of most of the Wellington planners.