Philip Maw
 

Philip is a leading advocate and strategic advisor in environmental and local government law. He has appeared as lead counsel in all of New Zealand's courts, including the Supreme Court.​He graduated from Canterbury University in 2004 with degrees in both Law and Science. He started his career at Wynn Williams in 2004, became a Partner in 2011, and Managing Partner in 2018. He remained at Wynn Williams until joining the independent bar in April 2026.​Philip has a particular interest in freshwater management, nutrient allocation frameworks, and large-scale urban development projects. He also has in-depth knowledge of the Fast Track Approvals Act 2024 having been appointed to Chair one of the first Fast Track Expert Panels.​In recent years, Philip has appeared as lead counsel on a number of high-profile resource consent and planning judicial review cases, often involving irrigation schemes and regional plans. ​Philip is able to provide strategic advice at the commencement of a project, and is available to provide representation at hearings and any litigation that follows. He is recognised for understanding highly complex issues and providing clear, practical, and outcomes-focused advice.​Philip is recognised by a number legal directories, including Chambers & Partners Global, Legal 500, and Doyles Leading Environment & Resource Management Lawyers 2025. As noted by Chambers & Partners:"Philip is simply outstanding. He brings a rare balance of legal precision and practical problem-solving, always focused on outcomes that work in the real world."

University of Canterbury (BSc LLB) - 2023Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand - 2024Partner Wynn Williams - 2011National Managing Partner Wynn Williams – 2018 - 2023Board Member, Wynn Williams – 2018 - 2025Independent Bar – 2026

Member, New Zealand Law SocietyMember, Resource Management Law AssociationMember, New Zealand Bar AssociationNational Committee Member Resource Management Law Association 2011 – 2013Member, Canterbury Westland Standards Committee (2009 – 2018)

Supreme CourtCloud Ocean Water Ltd v Aotearoa Water Action Inc [2023] NZSC 153.Cloud Ocean Water Ltd v Aotearoa Water Action Inc [2022] NZSC 133.​Court of AppealSouthland Regional Council v Southland Fish and Game Council [2024] NZCA 499.Aotearoa Water Action Inc v Canterbury Regional Council [2022] NZCA 325.​High Court                Environmental Law Initiative v Canterbury Regional Council [2025] NZHC 4156.Environmental Law Initiative v Canterbury Regional Council & MHV Water Limited [2025] NZHC 2515Environmental Law Initiative v Canterbury Regional Council [2024] NZHC 2019.Environmental Law Initiative v Canterbury Regional Council [2024] NZHC 612.Federated Farmers Southland Inc v Southland Regional Council [2024] NZHC 726.Federated Farmers Southland Inc v Southland Regional Council [2024] NZHC 2023.Hawke's Bay Regional Council v Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc [2024] NZHC 2611.Marlborough District Court v Evans [2024] NZHC 475.Rayonier New Zealand Ltd v Canterbury Regional Council [2024] NZHC 4001.Rayonier New Zealand Ltd v Canterbury Regional Council [2024] NZHC 1478.Federated Farmers Southland Inc v Southland Regional Council [2023] NZHC 686.Marlborough District Council v Evans [2023] NZHC 3849.Re Hawkes Bay Regional Council [2023] NZHC 3343.Otago Regional Council v Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc [2022] NZHC 1777.Clutha District Council v Otago Regional Council [2022] NZHC 510.Synlait Milk Ltd v Canterbury Regional Council [2022] NZHC 2219.Aotearoa Water Action Inc v Canterbury Regional Council [2021] NZHC 48.Aotearoa Water Action Inc v Canterbury Regional Council [2019] NZHC 1191.Canterbury Regional Council v Selwyn Quarries Ltd [2019] NZHC 434.Kilmarnock Farm Ltd v Canterbury Regional Council [2019] NZHC 2467.Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc v Northland Regional Council [2019] NZHC 449.Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc v Canterbury Regional Council [2019] NZHC 2223.Aotearoa Water Action Inc v Canterbury Regional Council [2018] NZHC 3240.Waitaki Irrigators Collective Ltd v Canterbury Regional Council [2018] NZHC 2064.Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Ltd v Canterbury Regional Council [2018] NZHC 1960.​Environment CourtNorth Canterbury Fish and Game Council v Canterbury Regional Council [2025] NZEnvC 253.Aratiatia Livestock Ltd v Southland Regional Council [2023] NZEnvC 204.Aratiatia Livestock Ltd v Southland Regional Council [2023] NZEnvC 158.Aratiatia Livestock Ltd v Southland Regional Council [2023] NZEnvC 51.Re Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Awa o Ngaruroro [2023] NZEnvC 81.Re Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Awa o Ngaruroro [2022] NZEnvC 227.Aratiatia Livestock Ltd v Southland Regional Council [2022] NZEnvC 265.Aratiaitia Livestock Ltd v Southland Regional Council [2020] NZEnvC 93.Horticulture New Zealand Ltd v Southland Regional Council [2020] NZEnvC 94.Re Otago Regional Council [2021] NZEnvC 164.Wilkins Farming Co Ltd v Southland Regional Council [2020] NZEnvC 155.Aratiatia Livestock Ltd v Southland Regional Council [2019] NZEnvC 208.Farm Ltd v Canterbury Regional Council [2019] NZEnvC 84.Aratiatia Livestock Ltd v Southland Regional Council [2018] NZEnvC 218.Selwyn Quarries Ltd v Canterbury Regional Council [2018] NZEnvC 139.P & E Ltd v Canterbury Regional Council [2017] NZEnvC 43.Combined Canterbury Provinces v Canterbury Regional Council [2016] NZEnvC 195.Marlborough District Council v Aitken [2016] NZEnvC 226.P & E Ltd v Canterbury Regional Council [2016] NZEnvC 252.