Expert consenting panels will be appointed by a sitting or retired Environment Court judge appointed as the panel convenor. That's likely to be Laurie Newhook, soon to retire from his role as principal Environment Court judge. Panels will have the expertise to enable the panel to consider the projects referred to them and to determine resource consents as well as designations. These panels of three to four people will be led by an Environment Court judge or similarly qualified person, and will include members nominated by the relevant local authorities and iwi authorities. The committee has made a useful clarification that if no nominations are received, the panel convenor must appoint a person with the appropriate skills and experience to be a member of the panel.