Judge Melanie Harland has been appointed Acting Principal Environment Judge from 8 May 2019 until the Principal Environment Judge resumes the duties of that office.

The Principal Environment Judge is Judge Laurie Newhook. He has been Principal Judge since 2011 and a Judge of that Court since 2001.

Judge Harland is based in the Environment Court in Auckland. After graduating from Auckland University with a BA in History and German in 1984 and an LLB in 1985, she was also admitted to the Bar in 1985.

Judge Harland first practised in Auckland at Meredith Connell and then moved to Hamilton where she was a litigation partner from 1991 until her appointment in May 2007 as a District Court Judge with jury and general warrants.

Judge Harland was appointed an Alternate Environment Judge in 2008 and an Environment Judge in September 2009.