The Stella Passage development enabling a major expansion at the Port of Tauranga in New Zealand has received fast-track approval.
Marking the 34th project approved through the fast-track process, the decision followed an application lodged by Port of Tauranga in January 2026 that took around five months to clear after an independent expert panel was appointed.
Under the project scope, the Sulphur Point and Mount Maunganui wharves will each be extended by more than 300 metres alongside the installation of new container cranes on the Sulphur Point Wharf.
Dredging across Stella Passage in Tauranga Harbour will also be carried out to provide sufficient clearance for vessels berthing at the extended berths.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop noted that the project spent roughly seven years navigating standard RMA processes and Environment Court hearings, having been declined referral under the Covid-19 fast-track system in 2021.
“The Port of Tauranga is New Zealand’s largest port by volume, handling roughly a third of all cargo in New Zealand,” Bishop explained, pointing to existing constraints from limited container capacity, vessel congestion, and the age of the infrastructure.
According to the proponents, the development is expected to address these constraints by enabling larger ships and almost doubling handling capacity at the facility.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones highlighted that the infrastructure will support regional development while ensuring exporters can continue to reach global markets efficiently.