Environment Canterbury commissioner receives lifetime award

The Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand has awarded Environment Canterbury Commissioner Professor Peter Skelton the prestigious Principal Judge RJ Bollard Lifetime Commemorative Award, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to resource management.

The award is given by the Association to exceptional individuals in this area.

“We are absolutely thrilled with Peter being recognised in this way,” says David Caygill, Environment Canterbury’s deputy chair of Commissioners. “It’s a huge honour and something we fully support knowing the extent of his achievements in resource management and environmental law.

“It really has been a true lifetime contribution to the field and I know Peter is honoured to have the Association’s most prestigious award bestowed on him.”

One of the main reasons the Government stated in appointing the Commissioners to Environment Canterbury was the desire to improve the management of fresh water within the region.

“Peter has been pivotal in providing certainty within the planning framework of the Natural Resources Regional Plan. He has also been very active in the development and implementation of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy which aims to provide a more collaborative and efficient approach to managing freshwater,” explains Mr Caygill.

The award enhances the already high peer recognition of Professor Skelton. It recognises the 50 years plus he has dedicated to the resource management field since starting as a law clerk in 1959 and succeeding in roles as lawyer, judge, academic and independent commissioner.