The Port of Tauranga has lodged a new application under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 to expedite its ambitious Stella Passage development. This vital infrastructure project is designed to significantly expand berthing and cargo handling capacity, supporting both the regional and national economies.

The Stella Passage project proposes the extension of the Sulphur Point container berth by 385 metres (in two stages) and the Mount Maunganui wharves by 315 metres. Both expansions will convert existing cargo storage areas within the current port footprint. Additional works involve land reclamation behind the new wharves and dredging to accommodate larger ships and increased traffic. 

Port of Tauranga Chief Executive, Leonard Sampson, highlights the development’s importance: “The Stella Passage development will allow Port of Tauranga to maximise the efficient use of existing infrastructure by increasing berth capacity. It is vital to future economic growth and meeting the needs of New Zealand importers and exporters”.

The Stella Passage project isn't new to regional planning; it has featured in policies and plans for Te Awanui Tauranga Harbour since 2003. Formal preparations for resource consent began in 2018. The port previously sought consent via the Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020, but the government referred the application directly to the Environment Court instead. 

Following a 2023 Court hearing, and in direct response to concerns raised by tangata whenua (local Māori), the Port reduced the scale of its proposed reclamation, wharf extensions, and dredging, demonstrating a willingness to address environmental and cultural concerns. 

The Environment Court’s interim decision, released in December 2023, indicated likely consent for the first stage of the Sulphur Point extension, pending further consultation with tangata whenua over nine months. In December 2024, a second interim decision granted consent, subject to conditions agreed with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. The Court stated that, from a Western science perspective, short-term physical effects were expected to be minor and long-term effects negligible. However, the decision is currently under appeal by three parties.

Owing to the urgency of the project and ongoing appeals, Port of Tauranga has opted to pause the Court process and instead seek approval under the new Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. Over the past three months, the Port has deepened consultation with tangata whenua to address concerns and ensure continued engagement.

This major upgrade will bolster New Zealand’s import/export capacity, future-proofing the Port of Tauranga and contributing to ongoing economic resilience. The long, multi-stage regulatory process highlights the complex balance between development, environmental stewardship, and engagement with local iwi (tribal groups).