Profile
“I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
Theresa Le Bas is an expert in resource management and local government law with more than 20 years of experience in New Zealand and Australia. She joined Tompkins Wake in 2011 and is a senior partner in the firm’s environmental and resource management and local government and public law practices.
With a background in top-tier national law firms in both New Zealand and Australia, Le Bas has extensive experience in large-scale infrastructure, mining, energy and industrial projects, performing legal due diligence for national and international acquisitions as well as managing contaminated site issues across New Zealand, Victoria and Western Australia. She has guided several local authorities through significant plan changes, variations and reviews.
Listed in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Recommended Lawyer, Le Bas has excellent knowledge in the RMA and local government areas and good mediation skills; she is a good communicator who builds rapport with people easily and works extremely hard for her clients. She is also a member of the Tompkins Wake Board of Partners.
1105 Arawa Street, Rotorua 3010
+64 7 838 6009
theresa.lebas@tompkinswake.com
linkedin.com/in/theresa-le-bas-653135149
tompkinswake.com
Theresa Le Bas
Partner
Tompkins Wake
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Milestones
“To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
1993–2003
2003–2007
2007–2010
2022
Present
Senior Associate at Simpson Grierson
1993–
2003
Senior Associate at Bell Gully
2003–
2007
Senior Associate at Clayton Utz
2007–
2010
Recognised as one of NZ Lawyer’s Elite Women
2022
Partner at Tompkins Wake since 2011
Listed in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Recommended Lawyer, Projects and Resource Management (including Environment) since 2018
Recognised as one of NZ Lawyer’s Elite Women
Present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
How does he distinguish himself among fellow brokers?
“I believe all brokers are working very hard in a difficult market,” he says. “However, I have demonstrated continued growth, advocacy and performance on my client’s behalf, which is now recognised [for 10 consecutive years] in the Elite Broker awards.”
In 1990, Dixon got started with FAI, working in claims and as a team leader. From the late 1990s up until 2003, he worked at FAI and Suncorp in underwriting and as an area manager at VACC, CGU (South East Queensland). From 2003 to 2012, he got into broking and eventually started Dixon Insurance in 2013. Since then, he’s accumulated numerous acccolades, including Elite Broker, Diversity and Equity, and Fast Broker awards.
During the pandemic, Dixon challenged insurers over the Quarantine Act application to insurance wordings. His argument was that the Quarantine Act does not apply as an exclusion, as the Biosecurity Act was invoked by the Morrison Government, and this was not a subsequent amendment to the Quarantine Act. The test case in the Appeals court was won for Dixon’s client with a unanimous five-judge verdict.
He remains focused on transport, manufacturing, motor trade, engineering and large farm clients.
What are his plans for the future?
On a business level, “more of the same. I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes.”
On a personal level, Dixon invests significant time, effort and funds, along with his GT3, to support many charities through his passion for motorsport. From participating in and sponsoring the Thunderbolt Run (which provides tens of thousands of dollars in support for Beyond Blue and Prostate Cancer), to organising and running the Track Knights for Amira charity night where 28 Exotic Supercars raised funds through passenger laps in wet conditions, Dixon states “this is our time to give back to the community and those in need. My friendships and association with those seeking to do the same, allows us to contribute to those less fortunate and raise funds and awareness”.
He adds: “To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need.”