Start with the site
We listen, visit and understand the operational context before deciding what evidence or process is needed.
About Bowden Environmental
Local knowledge, technical depth and practical judgment.
We are a Canterbury-owned consultancy with roots in Kaiapoi and more than two decades of resource management experience.
Meet the team
Established
1997
Our story
Built in Canterbury around the realities of resource management.
Michael Bowden established Bowden Consultancy in 1997. Trading as Bowden Environmental, the business developed from Kaiapoi into a specialist consultancy for land, water and resource-consent work.
The name has remained, but the work has always been about the people and places behind each decision. We bring technical evidence, regulatory understanding and on-the-ground context together, then explain the way forward clearly.
Today, Bowden Environmental remains locally owned and focused on Canterbury. Our size keeps communication direct, while our mix of environmental, geological and engineering experience lets us see a question from more than one angle.
How we think
Clear enough to act on. Thorough enough to stand up.
Good technical work should reduce uncertainty and make the next decision easier, not bury it under more complexity.
Use the right evidence
Investigation should answer the real question and be proportionate to the decision being made.
Explain it plainly
Clients should understand the issue, the options and the reason behind our recommendation.
Follow through
We stay close to the practical outcome, from first assessment through consent, monitoring or representation.
Our people
Experience across environment, land and water.
A small, senior team means clients can speak directly with the people doing the work.
Environmental management
Erin Harvie
MSc, BAppSci (Hons I) Environmental Management
Erin’s research background includes glacial geomorphology. Her experience spans environmental planning and Farm Environment Plan auditing, with strong familiarity with Canterbury farm systems and council processes.
She has served on the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee and is approved by Environment Canterbury as a Farm Environment Plan auditor.
Geology & geography
Christine Mawhinney
BSc Geology & Geography, PGDipSci Geography
Christine joined Bowden Environmental in January 2011. Her science background is supported by practical administrative experience in the local electricity and well-drilling sectors.
That combination brings useful local context, methodical coordination and an understanding of the field information behind resource-management work.
Water resources engineering
John Talbot
Master’s in Civil Engineering, University of Canterbury
John specialises in water resources. His experience includes resource investigations, policy and planning, regulation and resource consent work.
He has worked across commissioner, compliance, hearing and Environment Court processes, bringing engineering judgment to both technical evidence and regulatory decision-making. He was previously registered as a Chartered Professional Engineer in New Zealand; that registration is no longer current.
Work with Bowden
Bring us the question, even if it is not fully formed yet.
A short conversation is often enough to clarify the issue and decide what expertise is needed.