Info Our office is closed on Monday 26 October 2026 for Labour Day.
The application portal remains available on this day.
Hearings
15 October 2026 – Panel Conference
On 15 October 2026 the Expert Panel held a conference to discuss Minute 56 matters.
The recording of the panel conference held on 15 October 2026 for the Bendigo-Ophir Gold project
9–18 June 2026 – Concurrent expert witness hearings
On 29 May 2026, the expert panel issued a notice of hearing for the Bendigo-Ophir Gold project to be held at the Monarch Conference room at Willeston Conference Centre, Wellington.
Notice of hearing (PDF, 133 KB)
19 June 2026 – Dr Tocher hearing
The Panel heard from Dr Tocher, Ecology expert representing Department of Conservation at 2pm on Friday 19 June 2026 at the Willeston Conference Centre, Wellington Central.
The recording of the Dr Tocher hearing held on 19 June 2026 in Wellington for the Bendigo–Ophir Gold Project.
This hearing was previously mentioned in Minute 33 of the expert panel, dated 8 June 2026, and affirmed in the Memorandum of Counsel for the Director-General of Conservation, dated 4 June 2026.
Memorandum for Director-General of Conservation (PDF, 79 KB)
Hearing Transcript
Dr Tocher hearing transcript (PDF, 223 KB)
Cross-examination memorandums
The following parties are seeking leave to cross examine under section 58(1)(e).
Hearing evidence
Dr Tocher - diagram (JPG, 1 KB)
On 18 June 2026, the expert panel conducted a hearing on the topic planning for Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project.
Hearing recordings
Part 1 – Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project – Planning (vimeo link)
Part 2 – Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project – Planning (vimeo link)
Part 3 – Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project – Planning (vimeo link)
Part 4 – Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project – Planning (vimeo link)
Hearing transcript
Planning hearing transcript (PDF, 729 KB)
Hearing schedule of attendees and programme
Planning hearing – 18 June 2026 (PDF, 106 KB)
Cross-examination memorandums
The following parties are seeking leave to cross examine under section 58(1)(e).
Memorandum of counsel for Matakanui Gold Limited (PDF, 103 KB)
Memorandum of counsel for Otago Regional Council (PDF, 102 KB)
Memorandum for Director-General of Conservation (PDF, 79 KB)
Memorandum of counsel for Environmental Defence Society Inc (PDF, 97 KB)
Hearing evidence
29 and 30 April 2026 – Cromwell hearing
On 20 April 2026, the expert panel issued a notice of hearing for the Bendigo-Ophir Gold project to be held at Marsden Lake Resort, Cromwell.
Hearing schedule
The hearing schedule is subject change due to presentation lengths, witness availability, and questions.
Hearing schedule for Cromwell hearings (PDF, 49KB)
28 April 2026 – Ōtākou Marae hearing
On 20 April 2026, the expert panel issued a notice of hearing for the Bendigo-Ophir Gold project to be held at Ōtākou Marae, Ōtākou.
Notice of hearing at Ōtākou Marae (PDF, 94KB)
Hearing schedule
Hearing schedule and details for Ōtākou Marae hearing (PDF, 63KB)
Hearing procedures
The hearing procedures set out the rules and timeframe by which the hearing process will run. They provide information on matters such as communicating with the panel, evidence requirements, and guidelines for the media.
Bendigo-Ophir Gold project hearing procedures (PDF, 151KB)