Stella Passage Development Fast-Tracked

**Stella Passage Development at Port of Tauranga Fast‑Tracked**

*Port of Tauranga, New Zealand – 7 September 2026* – The Stella Passage Development, a major expansion of the Port of Tauranga’s Sulphur Point and Mount Maunganui wharves, has received fast‑track approval from the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Regional Development. The decision marks the 34th project to be approved through New Zealand’s Fast‑Track process, which is designed to accelerate infrastructure projects that deliver economic value and support regional development.

### Project Overview

The redevelopment will extend each wharf by more than 300 metres, install new container cranes on the Sulphur Point wharf, and dredge Stella Passage in Tauranga Harbour to provide sufficient clearance for larger vessels. The expansion is expected to almost double the port’s handling capacity, enabling larger ships to berth and reducing congestion.

Port of Tauranga Limited lodged its application in January 2026. An independent expert panel was appointed shortly thereafter, and the project received all necessary approvals in approximately five months. This contrasts with the project’s earlier history, which involved roughly seven years of standard Resource Management Act (RMA) processes and Environment Court hearings. In 2021 the project applied for fast‑track approval under the COVID‑19 fast‑track system but was declined referral.

### Ministerial Statements

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said the fast‑track process “has enabled this project to receive all the necessary approvals in around five months from the appointment of an expert panel.” He added that the Port of Tauranga is New Zealand’s largest port by volume, handling roughly a third of all cargo in the country, and that the expansion will address current constraints caused by limited container capacity, vessel congestion, and aging infrastructure.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones highlighted the economic benefits: “This development will ensure our exporters can continue to reach global markets efficiently and competitively. It is exactly the type of project Fast‑track was designed to enable – infrastructure that delivers enduring economic value, supports regional development, and keeps New Zealand open for business.”

### Fast‑Track Process Statistics

* 34 projects have been approved by expert panels.
* 17 projects have had 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, making them eligible to apply.
* On average, decisions on substantive applications take 118 working days from the point officials determine an application is complete and in‑scope.

### Other Projects Approved by Expert Panels

The list of projects approved by expert panels includes a mix of housing, land, infrastructure, renewable energy, aquaculture, and mining developments. Notable examples are the Arataki housing project, the Green Steel infrastructure project, the Kaimai hydro‑electric power scheme, and the Southland wind farm project.

### Context

The Fast‑Track process was introduced to streamline approvals for projects that meet specific criteria, reducing the time and uncertainty associated with traditional RMA procedures. By cutting the approval timeline from years to months, the process aims to support New Zealand’s economic growth and competitiveness.

The Stella Passage Development is expected to enhance the Port of Tauranga’s capacity to handle larger vessels, thereby improving the movement of imports and exports and delivering significant economic benefits to the region and the country as a whole.

Article source: scoop.co.nz | Image credit: NZ Herald