Who we are
We’re a collective of like-minded resource management planners and landscape architects operating out of Queenstown.
Carey Vivian
Director, Resource Management Planner, BRP(Hons), MNZPI, RMLA
Carey has extensive experience in policy development (district plan reviews and plan changes), resource consent preparation and assessment and project management.
He’s worked in planning for over 25 years in private practice and local government. His industry experience is broad, having managed the resource consent process on residential, commercial, urban, tourism, forestry and rural development projects.
Carey specialises in presenting expert evidence before hearing panels and the Environment Court on behalf of applicants, councils and submitters. He’s been a full member of the New Zealand Planning Institute since April 2000 and is a current Resource Management Law Association member.
Ben Espie
Director, Landscape Planner, BA BLA(Hons), NZILA, RMLA
Ben is known for his balanced approach to landscape assessment, bringing solid skills to what can be a subjective and controversial discipline.
Ben has more than 20 years of landscape planning experience, including five years with Queenstown-based regulatory contractor Civic Corporation Limited as the principal of the Landscape Architecture Department.
He has a broad range of skills in assessing landscape values. He regularly appears before the Environment Court as an expert advisor on the landscape and amenity effects of large infrastructural projects, recreational activities, individual dwellings and everything in-between.
He is a member of the Southern Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects and the Resource Management Law Association.
Blair Devlin
Director, Resource Management Planner, BA MRRP (Dist), MNZPI
Blair has over 20 years of experience as a resource management planner, working across private practice, local government and central government.
Blair is well acquainted with the planning framework in the Queenstown Lakes District. As a former Resource Consents Manager, he managed a consent processing team dealing with over 1,000 subdivision and land use consents a year.
In another professional planning role, he managed and helped resolve Resource Management Act appeals for Queenstown Lakes District Council and provided expert evidence to the Environment Court.
He has extensive experience in Special Housing Areas within the district, utilising the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act.
Jessica McKenzie
Landscape Planner, BLA(Hons), MLA, NZILA
Jess has over seven years' experience in the landscape architecture and planning fields.
She has been involved in numerous projects, ranging from simple landscape assessments to acting as an expert witness at council hearings.
Having worked in both local government and private practice across New Zealand, Jess possesses a comprehensive perspective on the industry. Her valuable insights and hands-on experience make her an invaluable member of our team.
Jess's dedication to her profession is evident through her involvement in the Southern Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architecture. Having served in various roles, including secretary and president, Jess actively contributes to the growth and development of the field.
Tom McIntyre
Resource Management Planner, Assoc. NZPI
Tom is a knowledgeable planner with a particular interest in subdivision applications.
Tom became an Associate member of the New Zealand Planning Institution in 2018. He enjoys working with clients on their development projects and has successfully obtained consent for several visitor accommodation activities.
Tom has experience as a planner for local governments in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. His local knowledge and expertise with the Queenstown Lakes District Plan mean he can provide efficient and timely advice on the relevant rules and regulations. Tom can also officially call himself a long-time local – he grew up in the Wakatipu.
Gabi Glory
Resource Management Planner, BUrbPlan (Hons)
Gabi is one of the newest Vivian + Espie planning and resource consent team members.
Before joining us, Gabi worked in the Policy team and the Resource Consents team at the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
At Vivian + Espie, she’s been involved in a wide range of resource consent projects, including multi-unit developments, rural subdivisions, regional earthworks and discharge consents and outline plans of works.
Furthering her knowledge and skills in the landscape field, Gabi is currently doing a Post Graduate Diploma in Designed Environments.
Carrie Whyte
Resource Management Planner, BA Env.Geo & Archaeology, Assoc MNZPI
Carrie is highly experienced in resource management and statutory planning roles in private and government agency sectors.
Carrie has more than 15 years of experience in her field and has been involved in projects across the Wakatipu region. She is particularly interested in planning for commercial tourism, recreational activities, and rural residential developments. She is passionate about local heritage and history (Carrie’s lived here for more than 20 years).
She’s skilled in preparing local and regional consent and concession applications, recreation licences and permits. She enjoys meeting with new clients and building strong working relationships.
Sue Slee
Office Manager, BBS (hons), Grad of CIPD
Sue's been the Vivian + Espie Office Manager and integral to our team since 2019.
Her role encompasses all aspects of the day-to-day running of the office, from health and safety to payroll to invoicing and, in particular, making sure there is ample coffee to fuel the team. She will be your first point of contact when you call or visit the office.
Sue is originally from the UK but has been enjoying the Queenstown lifestyle since 2007. Her interests outside of work, apart from her family, are snowboarding and hitting the trails, either running or on her mountain bike.
