Wellington Team

David McMahon 

Director

Mobile: 027 233 1917
Email: david@rmgroup.co.nz

As a founding Director of RMG and after working in the Christchurch Office for a decade, David moved to Wellington in 2011 and established the practice in the coolest ‘Little Capital’.  Initially operating as a two-person consultancy, the practice now supports a total of four consultants working predominantly in the upper South Island and lower North Island.

Although heavily involved as an independent RMA Commissioner engaged by local authorities to make delegated decisions on resource consents, designations and district and regional plans, David’s passion still rests in assisting clients in both the private and public sector to successfully navigate the resource consent process.  Early engagement in projects is the key to benefiting from David’s extensive RMA knowledge.    

As a passionate wine and food enthusiast David continues to embrace the Wellington lifestyle, though he remains an ardent Canterbury Rugby supporter.

Jason Jones 

Principal Consultant

Mobile: 021 079 8357
Email: jason@rmgroup.co.nz

Jason joined RMG in 2008, following three years in local government planning.

Jason’s project management skills, work ethic and open-minded approach make him a valuable addition to RMG. His wide-ranging experience includes land development projects, planning policy development, mediation and expert witness attendances, major infrastructure projects and strategic consultation. Jason has practical experience with dozens of RMA Regional and District plans and strategic policy documents across New Zealand. 

He is a passionate supporter of Football Club Barcelona, a decorated home brewer and a curator of useless knowledge.

Jacqui Manning

Senior Consultant

Mobile: 027 241 3968
Email: jacqui@rmgroup.co.nz

Jacqui has more than 25 years of environmental planning experience in Local Government and consultancies across both the North and South Islands.  

Jacqui has enjoyed the scope of projects that she has worked on during this time including large scale commercial developments, the oil and gas industry, high-density housing and district plan development. This has enabled her to gain extensive experience in consenting, policy, plan interpretation, designations, environmental impact assessments and consultation. 

Outside of work, and between travel, Jacqui is fully occupied as manager, scorer and main supporter to three wildly sporty children.

Mark Leggett

Senior Consultant

Mobile: 022 601 3461
Email: mark@rmgroup.co.nz

Mark joined RMG in early 2019. He brings with him over 25 years of experience in consultancy, local and central government roles in New Zealand and England.

At RMG, Mark works across a wide variety of projects including scoping exercises, regional and district consenting, plan preparation and review, practice review and improvement, decision writing in support of hearing commissioners, and legislative development.

Mark is able to turn his mind to new projects and fields of work with ease and make a valuable contribution from day one.

As a keen cycle tourer, sea kayaker and lover of the arts, Mark is ideally suited to life in Nelson. In recent years he has added woodworking to his skill set. Having proved himself capable of making crude outdoor furniture, he has now been allowed inside to make crude indoor furniture.

Jacqui Hewson

Senior Consultant

Mobile: 022 680 1921
Email: jacqui.hewson@rmgroup.co.nz

Jacqui joined RMG in late 2021 having amassed over 12 years’ worth of experience in resource management, in Christchurch, Nelson and England, in both local government and consultancy roles.

Her empathetic and creative nature means that she has a particular level of interest and expertise in innovative community engagement, urban design and the development of cities. It also makes her a great listener and particularly capable at understanding and articulating the needs of clients and communities.

She has most recently employed this skill set in managing the technical, policy and consultative aspects of natural hazards workstreams in the Whakatū Nelson region, encompassing flooding, fault and liquefaction risks, and requiring a deft handling of political and resident concerns and the clear expression of complex information.

Jacqui’s creative and communicative bent extends beyond her professional interests to her joy of design and engagement outside work. She was the fashion editor and stylist for a local magazine prior to her return to planning and remains a Lego consultant to two boys. She is also an accomplished apiarist and has held a private pilot’s license for many years, as well as a driver’s license, which she later obtained after her parents made it clear they were over driving her to the airport to fly.