The Port of Tauranga has been granted fast track approval to extend two of its wharves, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said.
The redevelopment of the Sulphur Point and Mount Maunganui wharves at the Port will enable each wharf to be extended by more than 300 meters, allow the installation of new container cranes on the Sulphur Point Wharf, and include the dredging of Stella Passage in Tauranga Harbor to provide sufficient clearance for vessels to berth at the extended wharves.
The Stella Passage development is the 34th project approved through the Fast-track process.
Port of Tauranga Limited lodged its application in January 2026, with approval taking around five months from the appointment of an independent expert panel.
“The project has a lengthy history under the RMA, spending roughly seven years navigating standard RMA processes and Environment Court hearings. In 2021, the project applied for Fast-track through the COVID-19 fast-track system and was declined referral,” Mr. Bishop said.
“Fast-track meant this project received all the necessary approvals in around five months from the appointment of an expert panel."
Fast-track by the numbers:
- 34 projects approved by expert panels,
- 17 projects with expert panels appointed,
- 68 projects are currently progressing through the Fast-track process. 34 active substantive and 34 referral applications,
- 68 projects have been referred to Fast-track by the Minister for Infrastructure,
- 149 projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, meaning they can apply for Fast-track approval,
- On average, it has taken 118 working days for decisions on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope.