Our Team

Rhys Chesterman has more than 20 years’ experience in the traffic engineering and planning field.

He originally trained as a planner completing his under-graduate degree in resource management before completing his master in resource planning. Between the years 1999-2001 he worked with local authorities in the United Kingdom gaining a specific interest in the transport aspects of planning and resource management. Upon returning to New Zealand he has largely operated as a traffic planner and engineer for local authorities and private consultants. Rhys has also completed his Master of Engineering in Transportation through the University of Canterbury and maintains an active interest in the planning and traffic linkages relating to land use development

Much of this work has centred on land use development and subdivision.

Kim is a principal planner based in Wanaka, but primarily working in Christchurch. Kim has over 25 years’ experience dealing with a wide range of planning matters, including preparing and managing complex resource consent applications, district plan changes, designations, and research. Having worked variously for local and central government, in a planning research environment and in private consulting, Kim has a very good understanding of complex planning issues and the perspectives and interrelationships of different organisations and individuals.

Kim has been an accredited Hearings Commissioner since 2011, with an endorsement as chair since 2014.

Anne is an NZILA Registered Landscape Architect, with over 13 years’ experience. Anne has been involved in a wide scope of landscape developments, including large scale infrastructure projects, coastal developments, master planning, mitigation planting plans, parks and reserves design, school developments, urban and streetscape projects, and commercial and residential designs.

Anne specialises in landscape planning, including visual assessments, landscape character studies, amenity assessments, AEE preparation, photo montaging, and prepares Expert Evidence and advice for Hearings and submissions. She has an extensive knowledge of the RMA requirements for Landscape and Visual Assessment works.

Anne also undertakes Urban Design assessments for a range of urban, commercial, residential, civil and other projects of a broad range.

Andrew has over twelve years land-use planning and resource management experience as a consultant planner and for various councils, including the Hurunui District and Christchurch City Councils.

Andrew has considerable experience preparing land use consent applications for a range of development projects.

Andrew’s experience also includes advice on and the preparation of applications Existing Use Rights, Certificates of Compliance, Temporary (EQ) Approvals and applications for Outline Plans and Waivers.

Nick Fuller has 18 years’ experience in the traffic and transportation engineering field.

Nick trained as a civil engineer and has provided transport advice to development planning projects since graduating in 2001. Between 2001 and 2006 he worked in the UK on a range of developments, including preparing Integrated Transport Assessments and detailed engineering.

Having worked in local and central government as well as in private practise, Tim possesses substantial experience in all forms resource management planning. In particular, Tim is highly proficient in the preparation of resource consent applications for development projects and the presentation of evidence at Council and Environment Court hearings.

Tim’s experience covers a wide range of planning matters and projects including residential, retail, industrial, rural, commercial, tourist activities, visitor accommodation, health, subdivision and plan changes. Tim also has valuable experience in consenting via fast-track legislation.

Tim has excellent project management skills and is able to co-ordinate teams of technical experts and competing demands for complex projects. He has excellent analytical and technical skills and is able to translate complex ideas into simple language. Tim works conscientiously to obtain the right results for clients.

Lianne has over 20 years of experience with Christchurch City Council, primarily in the resource management field, and recently as a case manager assisting developers with the various authorisations and approvals required for development projects.  She possesses extensive knowledge of the range of authorisations needed from local and regional Council, as well as other agencies, and is skilled at guiding clients through the necessary approval processes.  Lianne takes a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach to problem-solving, particularly when issues extend beyond typical building consent or resource consent frameworks.  She is highly adept at facilitating interactions with different parts of local government, identifying consent and approval issues early on, and managing potential pinch points.  Her strong interpersonal skills enable her to build and maintain positive relationships between clients, specialists, and relevant council or agency staff, proactively managing risks and ensuring that critical timeframes are met.

Clare is a Senior Planner with 19 years of experience in both resource consent and policy fields. Clare has knowledge that covers a wide range of land use development including retail, office/commercial, guest accommodation, health, residential, and rural projects.

Having processed a range of commercial and residential consents, Clare is an expert in navigating the consent process from start to finish. Clare has successfully presented evidence at Council and Environment Court hearings as well as having developed expertise in heritage/ heritage buildings, having spent 10 years with a focus on significant buildings in post-earthquake Christchurch.

Georgia is a Senior Planner with 10 years of experience working in both local government and private practice. Georgia’s experience covers a wide range of land use planning, including residential, commercial, visitor accommodation and rural projects. She is an expert in navigating the consent process from start to finish and has successfully presented evidence at Council hearings and participated in Environment Court mediation.

Adele is a Senior Planner with more than 20 years’ experience gained in NZ and the UK.

Having worked across both the public and private sectors, she has developed a broad skillset to include strategic policy, spatial and district planning and consenting. With a strong interest in urban planning issues, Adele’s work has been focused on the residential, commercial and industrial sectors along with sub-regional growth planning.

Expert in navigating plan change and district plan review processes, she thrives on delivering strong evidence-based planning expertise to support successful project outcomes.

Wayne is a highly experienced Transport Engineer with over 15 years experience in traffic engineering and transportation planning. Having worked in local government and consultancy roles, Wayne has developed strong analytical, problem solving and project delivery skills.

Wayne’s skill set includes: Preparing integrated transportation assessments for resource consents, expert evidence for resource consent hearings, transportation related planning advice for other professional consultants, territorial authorities, business owners and land developers and conceptual design services for site layouts including parking and access, plus preliminary intersection design services.

Lisa Williams has over 15 years’ experience in the planning and traffic engineering field. With the dual qualifications and experience as both a transport engineer and landuse planner, Lisa has been uniquely placed to work on a number of plan changes and private development projects which span across these two disciplines.

Lisa excels in creative problem solving and incorporating complex technical information into policy and administrative planning contexts as well as developing practical detailed design solutions.

Olly Chan joined Novo Group in 2024.Olly is an accomplished landscape architect with a passion for creating vibrant, sustainable outdoor spaces. With a focus on medium to large-scale commercial and public projects, Olly has contributed to several high-profile developments. His expertise spans development applications, detail design phases, construction documentation, and project delivery. Olly is adept at collaborating with large teams, utilising BIM software and ensuring successful outcomes. Olly’s commitment to sustainable design and his ability to integrate creativity with practicality make him a valuable asset for the Novo Group Team.

Helen has over 15 years’ experience working for numerous private developer as well as gaining experience in local Councils as an Environmental Consents Planner, processing typical subdivision applications and resource consents and planning reports.

Helen is well versed in all aspects of resource consent as well a land development options, master planning, regional planning issues across urban, residential, and commercial land use developments.

Mona is a land-use planner with experience processing a range of resource consent applications at Christchurch City Council.

She joined Novo Group in 2022 and prepares land use consent applications for a variety of development projects.

Mona holds a Masters of Planning degree from Lincoln University and researched how strategic planning approaches can bring about societal change through the co-production of innovative and creative solutions in her final year at university.

Amy is a Master-degree qualified, Christchurch based planner with over 5 years’ experience in local government.

Having processed a range of commercial and residential consents, Amy is an expert in navigating the consent process from start to finish.

She has a specialist area of expertise in residential multi-unit developments and effectively coordinates project teams and technical experts on behalf of the client to achieve the best outcome.

Allie joined Novo Group as a transport engineer in 2024. She has expertise in various facets of the field, including resource consents, transport planning, traffic engineering, civil engineering design and project management. Beginning her career at the Waimakariri District Council, Allie gained invaluable insights into local government processes, providing her with a solid foundation for her future endeavours. With a passion for creating tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of each project, Allie is committed to excellence in every aspect of her work.

Ella joined the Novo Group team in 2024. She recently completed her Master of Landscape Architecture at Lincoln University and brings with her a background in ecological restoration, landscape design and conservation. Ella assists the Landscape team in designing, drafting and preparing landscape designs, graphic material and/or assessments. Her notable achievements include winning the 2024 NZILA Awards Student Category.

Georgia joined the Novo Group team in 2024 after completing an internship with us. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography (2023) and is currently pursuing a Master of Planning at Lincoln University. Her studies have provided a foundation in New Zealand’s resource management, environmental planning practices, and cultural considerations, which she is excited to expand on through professional practice. Georgia brings a fresh perspective to the team, along with a passion for sustainable development and community-focused planning

Di is a very experienced Financial Manager who joined the Novo Group team in 2023. She has experience with large and small organisations including Chartered Accountants, Banks, Tertiary Education, Investment Management, Local Government, Charities and Owner-operated companies. Di manages all things Financial for the office.

Lynley joined the Novo Group team in October 2022. She is a very experienced Administrator, Governance Administrator and Personal Assistant with a background in Not for Profit, Tourism, Insurance and Local Government. Lynley manages the day to day administration needs across the office.