Cue Environmental was established in 2018 by Ben Farrell (MEP, BRS, MNZPI). Ben has been heavily involved in New Zealand’s environmental and resource management sector for over 20 years, working throughout New Zealand across a range of interests.
An accomplished RMA Planning Expert, Ben is currently on the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Resource Management Law Association. In addition to his professional work, Ben is an active volunteer and has provided numerous pro-bono planning consultancy services to a range of people and not-for profit organisations, including the New Zealand Planning Institute.
Ben has an excellent network of contacts throughout New Zealand’s central, local and regional governments, environmental policy, and planning, development and business sectors including farming. Ben is a Full Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and is a former chairman of the institutes Wellington Branch.
Key competencies
Ben is passionate about sustainable development and the management of New Zealand’s natural and physical resources. Core to Ben’s expertise is his rare ability to understand the complex tensions between community aspirations, economic and business growth, and environmental protection.
Career profile
While studying at Lincoln University Ben gained valuable experience working for the Auckland Regional Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, and Connell Wagner Limited in Christchurch. After graduating, Ben worked for the Upper Hutt City Council, before shifting to Wellington City in 2004 to work with one of New Zealand’s leading environmental planning consultancies Boffa Miskell. During his time at Boffa Miskell, Ben learned his trade gaining valuable experience working closely with New Zealand’s highly regarded environmental practitioners on numerous different policy and development projects across New Zealand in various sectors and all levels of government. Between 2010 and 2013 Ben was a self-employed planning consultant working primarily for the New Zealand Wind Energy Association (NZWEA). Ben provided statutory planning advice and worked closely with New Zealand infrastructure providers, global corporations in the renewable energy industry, and local and central government.
Ben was also responsible for project managing the preparation of best practice guidelines for developing wind farms and managing the Association’s national involvement in RMA policy development at national, regional and local levels. From 2013-2015 Ben worked for Andrew Stewart Limited (Wellington) and Environment Southland (Invercargill), including a secondment at the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) working on consenting Projects of National Significance and implementing the EPAs new functions under EEZA. At Environment Southland Ben was temporarily leading the development of the Southland Regional Policy Statement and Southland Regional Water & Land Plan Review, before moving to Queenstown with his family where he worked with the most experienced local planning and project management firm John Edmonds + Associates.
Work history
Associate/Contractor, John Edmonds & Associates (2015-2020)
Senior Environmental Planner, 4Sight, Wellington & Invercargill (2013-2014)
Self Employed Environmental Planning Consultant (2010-2013)
Senior Environmental Planner, Boffa Miskell Ltd, Wellington (2004-2010)
Planner, Upper Hutt City Council (2003-2004)
Planner, Connell Wagner Ltd, Christchurch (2003)
Park Ranger, Auckland Regional Council (2001/2002 and 2002/2003)