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Weaving Knowledge, Culture and Community: A Celebration of Tauranga Moana In the heart of Tauranga Moana, a new artwork has taken its place. Māramatanga, hanging in the atrium of the new Holland Beckett office at Northern Quarter, was commissioned by the firm from local artist Julie Paama-Pengelly of Ngāi Te Rangi iwi. The work is more than sculpture; it’s a story woven from threads of knowledge, culture and community which celebrates the creative spirit of the artist and the vision and values of the firm. Julie Paama-Pengelly, is a talented multidisciplinary artist. She holds a Master of Māori Visual Arts (Hon), a Master of Philosophy (Third World Development) and Toi Iho certification – a unique registered Aotearoa New Zealand trademark of Māori quality and authenticity. Julie is a driving force behind regional Māori arts strategic development through her role as Chair of Te Tuhi Mareikura Charitable Trust, and an advocate for the restoration of Māori women within tā moko practice. Her writing, teaching and strategic leadership complement her creative works and successful art studio. She has an indepth understanding of Māori design and cultural belief systems gained over 40 years of Toi Māori practice and 35 years of tā moko practice, and brings this knowledge into her other practice areas including painting, printmaking, graphic design, and in the case of this commission, sculpture and public art. This artwork, Māramatanga, was chosen from submissions of several local artists. Holland Beckett is a long-standing supporter of the arts community and wanted to champion the talent and experience of the community by commissioning the piece locally. Māramatanga means enlightenment. The suspended piece comprises three sculptural arrangements which allude to the three bodies of knowledge – kete-aronui, kete-tuauri and kete-tuatea - a powerful metaphor for law as expertise and wisdom. The artwork is a visual representation of the firm’s brand and values. The Holland Beckett logomark represents the golden pingao fibre valued in tukutuku weaving, an art form which plays an important role in the passing on of stories and expresses Holland Beckett’s commitment to the Bay of Plenty community. Building on the history and relationship with weaving, Māramatanga focusses on the Tāniko technique of making traps and crayfish pots, celebrating Tauranga Moana in relation to the sea, and raranga in the woven elements affixed to each basket. Whilst aligning with the values and history of the firm, the commission also had practical parameters. The work hangs in the firm’s atrium, viewed from below, above and as you walk up and down the internal stairwell. The artist said that these dynamic viewpoints informed the scale, shape and placement of each detail. The lowest basket is adorned with fish. This basket represents the knowledge specific to the tangata whenua Māori who have lived their history in and around the waters of Tauranga Moana. The second basket is adorned with birds, which represent terrestrial knowledge, while the third basket represents Māori celestial knowledge adorned with stars. This layered experience invites viewers to engage with the work as they move through the space, echoing the journey of learning and discovery, and the firms’ value ‘Dedication to Excellence\' which speaks to knowledge and expertise. The work also had to be fit for purpose - in this case, lightweight, low-maintenance and long lasting. Each shape was mocked-up in paper and refined, then Julie and her daughter Kaiwhetu created the final elements with recycled aluminium window blinds – an unconventional choice ideal for the suspended work. Other practical considerations were around the installation of the piece and how to create, transport and install the work. Local fabricators helped construct the baskets in a way that they would fit in the building’s elevator, then the fish, birds and stars were attached onsite –all while the building was still under construction. The firm is thankful to both Julie and the construction team for their adaptability, responding to shifting deadlines and ensuring the process remained smooth and collaborative. The firm is proud to have Māramatanga as the centrepiece of the new office and the next chapter in the firm\'s history. It is a tribute to the community that Holland Beckett are a part of and the people, history and environment of Tauranga Moana. The artist honours Māori culture through form and meaning while celebrating the firm’s dedication to knowledge, learning and excellence alongside commitment to supporting the communities we operate within. It’s a piece that invites interaction and connection, woven not just from aluminium blinds, but from the values that define us. This article was first published in Our Place magazine, Dec 2025/Jan 2026.

As the resource management landscape continues to evolve, so too has our team. Many of you will know members of our Environment and Planning team through existing projects and longstanding relationships with Holland Beckett. Led by Vanessa Hamm, our specialist team advises clients on resource management, environmental, local government and regulatory matters throughout New Zealand. We support clients across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, renewable energy, urban development, water, marine, primary industry and public sector projects. Our work spans strategic planning, consenting, plan processes, hearings, fast-track approvals, appeals, enforcement matters and litigation. As our team continues to grow, we wanted to share a few recent developments. Promotion to Senior Associate We are delighted to share the promotion of Laura Murphy to Senior Associate. Laura advises clients on a wide range of resource management and planning matters, both contentious and non-contentious. Her work includes plan processes and appeals, resource consent applications and appeals, enforcement matters, judicial review proceedings, development contributions, customary marine title claims, due diligence and local government matters. Since joining Holland Beckett in 2020, Laura has been involved in a number of significant projects throughout New Zealand and has become a highly regarded member of our team. She continues to make a valuable contribution to the profession as a member of the New Zealand Law Society Environmental Law Committee and Secretary of the Bay of Plenty Resource Management Law Association. We are pleased to recognise her contribution to the firm with this promotion. Promotions to Associate Alongside Laura, the firm has recognised the contributions of Cory Lipinski and Jemma Hollis with promotions to Associate. Cory advises public and private clients on matters including resource consents, fast-track approvals, enforcement proceedings, local government issues, plan changes, judicial reviews and large-scale due diligence projects. He has acted as lead counsel in Council and Department of Conservation hearings and as junior counsel in the High Court. Jemma brings a unique combination of specialist legal expertise and more than a decade of planning and policy experience. Her experience spans resource management and planning, public works acquisitions, local government processes, enforcement and legislative reform. She has appeared as counsel in the District Court, Environment Court, High Court and Supreme Court. Jemma is also actively involved in a number of professional organisations, including TLANZ Environment and Resource Management National Committee, the New Zealand Planning Institute and the Resource Management Law Association. You may also recognise Cory and Jemma as the winners of last year\'s Resource Management Law Association Junior Moot competition. Welcoming Sarah Eriksson We have recently welcomed Sarah Eriksson to the team as a Senior Associate. Sarah brings more than a decade of experience advising public and private sector clients on resource management, environmental, local government and regulatory matters. Her background includes major infrastructure, transport and development projects, together with valuable in-house commercial experience gained in Stockholm as in-house counsel for a global bio-packaging company. Sarah\'s experience in both private practice and in-house legal roles gives her a strong commercial perspective and a practical understanding of the challenges organisations face when making strategic decisions. Together with Bridget Bailey, Senior Associate, and Daniel Stankovich, Solicitor, these appointments and promotions reflect the depth of experience across our Environment and Planning team and our ongoing commitment to supporting clients through an increasingly complex regulatory environment. The RMA Replacement As many of you will be aware, the Government\'s replacement for the Resource Management Act is expected to be enacted in the next month. Our team regularly publishes updates and commentary on legislative reform, significant cases and other developments affecting the planning and environmental sector. You can find our latest insights on our website by visiting our News & Resources page and filtering by Environment & Planning. With significant reform of New Zealand\'s resource management framework on the horizon, we recognise that many clients are considering what the proposed changes may mean for their projects and future planning. If you have any questions about the proposed reforms, please get in touch with our team. Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to working with you in the months ahead.

Holland Beckett is pleased to announce the promotion of Laura Murphy, Katherine Dyer and Katie Brown to Senior Associate. Senior Associates L-R: Katie Brown, Katherine Dyer, Laura Murphy “The number and breadth of this year’s promotions reflect the depth of talent across Holland Beckett and the strength of the service we provide to our clients,” says Sam Tabak, Partner. “Each of these lawyers has demonstrated expertise, leadership and dedication, along with a clear ability to add value for clients, colleagues and communities. We are proud to recognise their achievements and look forward to seeing them develop as leaders within Holland Beckett and the wider profession.” Laura Murphy Senior Associate – Environment and Planning Laura has been an integral member of Holland Beckett\'s Environment and Planning team since 2020. Laura advises clients on complex resource management matters, including consenting processes, planning matters, designations, enforcement proceedings, and major infrastructure and development projects. Raised in Tauranga and proud to practise in the Bay of Plenty, Laura has acted on significant projects, including fast track and direct referral applications, planning appeals, and Marine and Coastal Area Act proceedings. Laura holds an LLB (First Class Honours) and BA from Victoria University of Wellington and is actively involved in the profession as a member of the New Zealand Law Society’s Environmental Law Committee and secretary of the Bay of Plenty Resource Management Law Association. Katherine Dyer Senior Associate – Family Law Katherine joined Holland Beckett in 2016 and has built her entire legal career with the firm. Based in Tauranga, Katherine advises clients on a broad range of family law matters, with particular expertise in relationship property disputes, contracting out and asset protection arrangements, care of children matters, family violence proceedings, Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act applications, and estate and family protection claims. An experienced advocate who regularly appears in the Family Court and has acted in High Court appeals, Katherine combines strong advocacy with an empathetic approach to help clients navigate challenging circumstances and work towards enduring outcomes. Katherine completed an LLB (Honours) and BA at the University of Auckland before beginning her career with Holland Beckett. Alongside her legal career, Katherine serves the community as volunteer field team leader and Group Secretary for Tauranga Land Search and Rescue. Katie Brown Senior Associate – Family Law Katie joined Holland Beckett in 2025, bringing more than a decade of family law experience. Her promotion to Senior Associate reflects the significant contribution she has already made to the firm and its clients. Katie advises and represents clients across a broad range of family law matters including relationship property, contracting out agreements, parenting and guardianship disputes, family violence proceedings, and applications under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988. After completing an LLB and BA at the University of Canterbury, Katie began her legal career in Christchurch before returning home to Tauranga. Drawing on extensive experience, she is known for her clear communication and sound guidance through complex and sensitive family law matters.