Proposed District Plan Hearings

Allan Cubitt - Commissioner

Allan Cubitt is based in Dunedin and has over 35 years of experience practicing in planning and resource management matters around the South Island.

He is an accredited and experienced RMA Hearings Commissioner (Chair endorsement), a Government-appointed Freshwater Commissioner, and an independent chairperson and facilitator. He has chaired a number of plan hearings, including the Southland Regional Policy Statement and the Hurunui District Plan.

Allan was also recently part of the Hearings Panel for the proposed Otago Regional Policy Statement 2021 (both the Freshwater and non-Freshwater components) and for the Waimakariri District Plan.

The Waimakariri District Plan hearings also involved an Intensification Planning Instrument under the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021.

Ros Day-Cleavin

Ros Day-Cleavin is an experienced resource management planner with 25 years’ experience across the local government, central government, private practice, and tertiary education sectors.

She is an accredited and experienced RMA Hearings Commissioner (chair endorsement) with recent commissioner experience on the district plan review panel in the MacKenzie and Timaru Districts.

Based in ōtepoti | Dunedin, she undertakes commissioner roles throughout Otago, Southland and Canterbury regions.

Hoani Sydney Langsbury

Hoani Langsbury has been an independent Commissioner for over 18 years, he has been an active kaitiaki almost all his life. He has a background in environmental management and is the senior Ecological Consultant for Ngaio House Consulting, a small business he has operated with his wife based at Otakou since 2011.

He is an ecologist and conservationist with many years of experience supporting the community to achieve successful environmental outcomes. He is active member of the Otago Conservation community, with a diverse skillset and responsibilities, such as the Chair of the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Trust, and a founding trustee for Wild Dunedin Festival and Predator Free Dunedin

He enjoys contributing to local community wellbeing, providing for the maintenance of community infrastructure, and ensuring that long term strategies blend environmental sustainability whilst ensuring social and economic benefits are realized.

Courtney Linwood

Courtney Linwood is an elected Councillor for the Waitaki District Council, representing the Ōamaru Ward. First elected in 2022, she is passionate about ensuring community voices are heard and that local decision-making is transparent, balanced, and evidence-based.

Courtney serves as Chair of the Hearings Committee and has undertaken commissioner training to support her role in quasi-judicial decision-making. She is committed to approaching hearings with an open mind, carefully considering all evidence presented, and making decisions that are fair, impartial, and consistent with the Resource Management Act and relevant planning framework.

Alongside her governance role, Courtney has a background in legal administration and business management, providing her with strong skills in analysing complex information, understanding statutory processes, and communicating effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. 

As a member of the District Plan Hearings Panel, Courtney looks forward to hearing from submitters and ensuring every perspective is considered respectfully throughout the hearing process.

Jim Thompson

Educated at

• Gore High School
• Otago University

Spent most of my working life self employed in both extensive and intensive farming operations. I have also spent a brief spell in corporate farming managing a genetics unit and spent 5 years in hard rock mining.

I was elected to the Waitaki District Council from 2020 until 2025. The last triennium I was Chair of the District Plan Review sub committee. I have been a qualified Hearings Commissioner since 2023.