Simon Berry

Simon Berry is a specialist Environmental and Resource Management lawyer with more than 40 years’ experience in the field. More than 20 years was spent as a partner in two major law firms followed by eight years as a specialist Environmental barrister before co-founding Berry Simons with Sue Simons in early 2012.

Simon has experience in all aspects of the Environmental law field and regularly represents clients before regional and district councils and the Environment Court. He has assisted his clients to obtain approvals for land development; electricity (generation and distribution); water and wastewater, as well as legal and policy advice to private clients, central and local government. Simon describes his approach as ‘principled pragmatism’. He likes to work closely with his clients, consent agencies, iwi and key stakeholders to achieve results.

I like to work closely with my clients and key consultants to progressively and constructively remove the “why nots?” that are in the way of a project. A well-constructed case at council level often results in avoiding an Environment Court hearing and sometimes even removes the need for a council hearing.

Simon is frequently appointed as an independent hearing commissioner, and has a Chair's certification.

Simon’s skills and achievements are recognised by a number of industry awards.

Simon loves music and plays the saxophone - in his own time enjoys rehearsing with his bands. He also enjoys reading and spending time at his bach on Tikapa Moana / Firth of Thames.