Hearings
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, 133KB)
Hearing live stream link
To view the live stream of hearings, use the link below. The hearings will commence at 9.30am daily.
The ecology hearing held on 12 June 2026 will now be commencing at 9am as per Minute 34 issued by the expert panel.
Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project - concurrent expert witness hearing live stream (Vimeo link)
15 June 2026 – Water hearing
Cross-examination memorandums
The following parties are seeking leave to cross examine under section 58(1)(e).
Memorandum of counsel for Otago Regional Council (PDF, 120KB)
Memorandum of counsel for Environmental Defence Society Inc (PDF, 103KB)
12 June 2026 – Ecology hearing
Hearing schedule of attendees and programme
Ecology hearing – 12 June 2026 (PDF, 106KB)
Cross-examination memorandums
The following parties are seeking leave to cross examine under section 58(1)(e).
Memorandum of counsel for Environmental Defence Society Inc (PDF, 155KB)
Memorandum of counsel for Otago Regional Council (PDF, 121KB)
11 June 2026 – Ms McArthur Hearing
The panel will hear from Ms McArthur, Water expert representing Fish & Game at 3pm on Thursday 11 June 2026 at the Monarch Conference room at Willeston Conference Centre, Wellington.
This hearing was previously mentioned in Minute 32 of the expert panel, dated 3 June 2026, and affirmed in the Memorandum of Counsel for Fish & Game, dated 4 June 2026. The panel note that the original proposed start time of 2pm has since been amended to 3pm to accommodate availability of the panel.
Memorandum of Counsel for Fish and Game (PDF, 186KB)
10 June 2026 – Heritage hearing
Hearing recordings
Part 1 of the recording of the heritage hearing held on 10 June 2026 at the Monarch Conference room at Willeston Conference Centre, Wellington for the Bendigo–Ophir Gold Project.
Part 2 of the recording of the heritage hearing held on 10 June 2026 at the Monarch Conference room at Willeston Conference Centre, Wellington for the Bendigo–Ophir Gold Project.
Part 3 of the recording of the heritage hearing held on 10 June 2026 at the Monarch Conference room at Willeston Conference Centre, Wellington for the Bendigo–Ophir Gold Project.
Hearing schedule of attendees and programme
Heritage hearing – 10 June 2026 (PDF, 106KB)
Cross-examination memorandums
The following parties are seeking leave to cross examine under section 58(1)(e).
9 June 2026 – Landscape architecture hearing
Hearing recordings
Part 1 of the recording of the landscape hearing held on 9 June 2026 at the Monarch Conference room at Willeston Conference Centre, Wellington for the Bendigo–Ophir Gold Project.
Part 2 of the recording of the landscape hearing held on 9 June 2026 at the Monarch Conference room at Willeston Conference Centre, Wellington for the Bendigo–Ophir Gold Project.
Part 3 of the recording of the landscape hearing held on 9 June 2026 at the Monarch Conference room at Willeston Conference Centre, Wellington for the Bendigo–Ophir Gold Project.
Hearing schedule of attendees and programme
Landscape architecture hearing – 9 June 2026 (PDF, 228KB)
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, 116KB)
Memorandum of counsel for Environmental Defence Society Inc (PDF, 124KB)
Hearing evidence
Matakanui Gold Limited
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)