(1) This section applies if—
(a) the Principal Environment Judge is unable to exercise the duties of office because of illness or absence from New Zealand, or for any other reason; or
(b) the office of Principal Environment Judge is vacant.
(2) The Governor-General may appoint another Environment Judge to act in place of the Principal Environment Judge until the Principal Environment Judge resumes the duties of that office or a successor is appointed, as the case may be.
(3) While acting in place of the Principal Environment Judge, the acting Principal Environment Judge—
(a) may perform the functions and duties of the Principal Environment Judge; and
(b) may for that purpose exercise all the powers of the Principal Environment Judge.
Section 251A: inserted, on 10 August 2005, by section 95 of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 87).