Celebrating 20 years at Boffa Miskell: Dr Sharon De Luca

A nationally recognised leader in marine and coastal ecology, respected for her ability to combine rigorous science with practical, outcomes‑focused advice; Dr Sharon De Luca brings deep scientific credibility to her project work, underpinned by her background in ecotoxicology, coastal and estuarine processes, and environmental monitoring. 

At Boffa Miskell, Sharon De Luca has spent more than two decades applying scientific expertise to real‑world challenges. Her project work spans assessment of effects on coastal, marine and freshwater environments; long‑term monitoring programmes; habitat and contaminant studies; restoration planning; and peer review and independent advisory roles. Her work is grounded in strong ecological principles and has consistently stood up to scrutiny in Environment Court and Board of Inquiry hearings, where she is regularly engaged as an expert witness on some of the country’s most complex projects.

Sharon has contributed to many of New Zealand’s most high‑profile and technically demanding infrastructure and coastal projects. These include Roads of National Significance, large‑scale coastal structures, port developments, ferry and wharf infrastructure, and urban stormwater and transport projects.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge Adaptive Management Framework set new benchmarks for managing environmental effects in the coastal marine area. The project received national recognition through both the ACENZ INNOVATE Awards and the NZPI Awards, reflecting Sharon’s ability to develop monitoring and management approaches that are scientifically robust, practical to implement, and trusted by regulators.

Sharon has played key roles in the Marine Parade Coastal Pathway in the Bay of Plenty, the Mātiu | Somes Island Wharf Replacement, and major transport initiatives including the Eastern Busway Alliance and Auckland Light Rail investigations. Her ongoing involvement in long‑term monitoring and adaptive management continues to influence best-practice across the sector.

In addition to her consultancy work, Sharon is widely respected as a decision‑maker and independent advisor. She has served as an Independent Hearings Commissioner on panels for Auckland Council and the Environmental Protection Authority, and has contributed to technically challenging hearings involving ports, coastal dredging, sand mining, and wastewater infrastructure. Her ability to clearly explain complex ecological issues, assess risk, and find balanced solutions has earned her the trust of councils, applicants, communities, and the wider profession.

Through her long‑standing involvement with the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ), Sharon played a key role in the development of the Marine Benthic Assessment (MBA) guidelines, helping to lift consistency and scientific robustness in how benthic effects are assessed across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Drawing on her decades of hands‑on experience in coastal and estuarine monitoring, expert witness work, and adaptive management programmes, Sharon contributed practical insight into what constitutes fit‑for‑purpose survey design, meaningful indicators, and defensible interpretation of results. Her input helped ensure the guidelines balance ecological rigour with real‑world application, making them both credible in regulatory settings and workable for practitioners. This work reflects Sharon’s approach of grounding decision‑making in strong ecological principles while providing clear, pragmatic guidance that supports good environmental outcomes.

Sharon’s influence has been felt through her leadership and mentorship within Boffa Miskell. As Managing Principal of the Tauranga office, she helped grow capability, foster collaboration, and develop emerging practitioners across disciplines. She is known for her generosity with knowledge, her calm approach to challenges, and her dedication to supporting colleagues to produce their best work. She has improved environmental outcomes on some of Boffa Miskell’s most significant projects, strengthened decision‑making in sensitive coastal environments, and influenced a generation of practitioners.