Gary Taylor, of Henderson, CNZM for services to the environment and resource management
Gary Taylor leads the Environmental Defence Society (EDS) and has overseen a large body of successful environmental litigation. He was involved in holding Horizons Regional Council to account for issuing consents for intensive dairy farming contrary to its plan. He led the successful legal challenge of Kaipara District Council’s decision to remove the landscape chapter from its district plan. He initiated the Supreme Court proceedings in the ‘EDS v King Salmon’ case, which reset the jurisprudence on environmental bottom lines. After defeating a cubicle dairy farming proposal in the Mackenzie Basin, EDS convened a symposium that led to the establishment of the Mackenzie Forum and the subsequent Mackenzie Agreement. Mr Taylor established the Land and Water Forum and is now a member of the Freshwater Leaders’ Group.