2026
Sub-contractors in court following cost overruns in seismic strengthening of wharf piles required to protect against ongoing Interislander rammings.
Golden Mile development setback after NZTA’s permission to cull pedestrians ruled unlawful by High Court.
LIVE WELLington sues to extend character protections to traffic jams around the Basin Reserve.
2027
Four-laning of Chews Lane enjoined by High Court. Successful challenge by Guardians of the Golden Mile who want six-laning.
Legality of Kate Sheppard and Carmen Rupe “green men” challenged by Concerned Ratepayers for Pedestrian Safety and Ulterior Motives.
Challenge to non-notified consent to turn Cobham Drive into a single two-kilometre long pedestrian crossing.
Speaker’s decision to ban cars from the steps of Parliament challenged by local business associations who say their customers need the ability to park centrally.
2028
Challenge to Commerce Commission grant of permission for airport runway extension. Ten week hearing in the High Court. The most junior counsel to appear is Justin Smith KC. Combined daily legal fees exceed $500,000. McHerron J spends six months of his life writing the decision. Three paragraphs of a 400-page judgment will come to be regularly cited for the meaning of an obscure subsection of the Commerce Act 1986. The rest will be forgotten when the case goes on appeal.
Challenge to bylaw prohibiting tooting in the Mt Victoria tunnel brought by applicants whose custom car horns blare short excerpts of Mein Kampf. Funded by the Free Speech Union.
Cable car sued for some reason, probably.
Strictly obiter 