The Port of Tauranga's Stella Passage development, a major expansion that will nearly double cargo handling capacity at New Zealand's largest port by volume, has been granted approval under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024, subject to conditions.
The project, which the port lodged in January 2026, took around five months to approve from the appointment of an independent expert panel.
The development involves extending the Sulphur Point container berth by 385m in two stages and the Mount Maunganui wharves by 315m, by converting existing cargo storage land within the port's current footprint.
It also involves reclamation of the land behind the new wharves and dredging of the passage to allow larger vessels to berth.
The port and its advisers are reviewing the final decision and conditions in detail. The decision remains subject to appeal rights under the Act.
Port of Tauranga chief financial officer Simon Kebbell said the approval was "very welcome news".
"The Stella Passage development is vital strategic infrastructure to support future freight growth for New Zealand. It will improve the resilience and efficiency of the international supply chain and lower costs for importers and exporters," he said.
"The development is urgently needed so it is a great relief to reach this important milestone."
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said the project had spent roughly seven years navigating standard Resource Management Act processes and Environment Court hearings before the latest approval. In 2021, it applied through the Covid-19 fast-track system and was declined referral.
"Fast-track meant this project received all the necessary approvals in around five months from the appointment of an expert panel," Bishop said.
The Tauranga port handles roughly a third of all cargo in New Zealand. Bishop said current activity at the wharves was constrained by limited container capacity, vessel congestion and the age of the existing infrastructure.
"The Stella Passage development will address these constraints by enabling larger ships and almost doubling the handling capacity at the port," he said.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said the development would ensure exporters could 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."
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