Port Tauranga given green light for expansion
New Zealand’s largest port, Port of Tauranga, has been granted fast-track approval today for an expansion bid extending its container berths and wharves.
The Stella Passage development involves extending the Sulphur Point container berth by 385m in two stages and the Mount Maunganui wharves by 315m on reclaimed land.
It also included converting existing cargo storage land within the port’s current footprint and dredging about 1.5 million cubic metres of the passage bed.
Port of Tauranga chief financial officer Simon Kebbell announced today in a media release the Stella Passage was approved under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024, subject to conditions.
He 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 milestone was a relief as the development was urgently needed.
The port handled 25 million tonnes of cargo and 1.2 million containers per year.
It had reached capacity at both the container terminal and Mount wharves.
The port shipped 48% of the country’s container exports – accounting for 70% of dairy exports, 65% of red meat exports, and 90% of kiwifruit exports.
The Port of Tauranga handles 25 million tonnes of cargo and 1.2 million containers per year as New Zealand's largest port. Photo / Mike Scott
The fast-track application was initially lodged at the end of 2024, before Ngāti Kuku Hapū Trust sought a judicial review of the scope wording, halting progress.
This followed a court ruling ordering the port to pay iwi $298,023.
The port withdrew the initial fast-track application and reapplied in January this year.
However, it faced further opposition. Local iwi and marae made submissions for the proposal to be declined.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said the fast-track process allowed the project to obtain all necessary approvals within five months.
He said the project had spent seven years navigating standard Resource Management Act processes and Environment Court hearings.
Bishop said the wharves were constrained by limited container capacity, vessel congestion and ageing infrastructure.
“The Stella Passage Development will address these constraints by enabling larger ships and almost doubling the handling capacity at the port.
“This will improve the movement of imports and exports and deliver significant economic and other benefits for the region and New Zealand.”
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said the development would ensure exporters 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.”
The port and its advisers are reviewing the final decision and conditions in detail. The decision remains subject to appeal rights under the Fast-Track Approvals Act.
Bijou Johnson is a multimedia journalist based in Bay of Plenty. A passionate writer and reader, she grew up in Tauranga and developed a love for journalism while exploring various disciplines at university. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Massey University.
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