Minutes of the expert panel
8 July 2026
Minute 40
The expert panel issued Minute 40 regarding geotechnical inquires and the spring annual report.
Minute 40 of the expert panel (PDF, 428 KB)
26 June 2026
Minute 39
The expert panel issued Minute 39 responding to Central Otago District Council and Environmental Defence Society memoranda and update on legal advice.
Minute 39 of the expert panel (PDF, 119 KB)
25 June 2026
Minute 38
The expert panel issued Minute 38 granting the applicant's request for suspension of processing effective from 11.59pm on 26 June 2026.
Minute 38 of the expert panel (PDF, 100 KB)
Minute 37
The expert panel issued Minute 37 regarding a conference with the applicant at the conclusion of the concurrent hearings.
Minute 37 of the expert panel (PDF, 117 KB)
22 June 2026
Minute 36
The expert panel issued Minute 36 in regard to supplementary evidence received from Sustainable Tarras and Otago.
Minute 36 of the expert panel (PDF, 105 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for Sustainable Tarras (PDF, 178 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for Otago Regional Council (PDF, 140 KB)
12 June 2026
Minute 35
The expert panel issued Minute 35 in regard to the applicant's response to request for information 5 received 5 June 2026.
Minute 35 of the expert panel (PDF, 123 KB)
10 June 2026
Minute 34
The expert panel issued Minute 34 regarding the ecology concurrent hearing scheduled for 12 June 2026.
Minute 34 of the expert panel (PDF, 105 KB)
8 June 2026
Minute 33
The expert panel issued Minute 33 relating to a memorandum received regarding concurrent hearings.
Minute 33 of the expert panel (PDF, 107 KB)
3 June 2026
Minute 32
The expert panel issued Minute 32 responding to three recent communications received by the panel.
Minute 32 of the expert panel (PDF, 117 KB)
29 May 2026
Minute 31
The expert panel issued Minute 31 regarding evidence from Mr D Spring and correspondence received from Kā Rūnaka in relation to this evidence.
Minute 31 of the expert panel (PDF, 106 KB)
Email from Kā Rūnaka counsel 28 May 2026 (PDF, 51 KB)
27 May 2026
Minute 30
The expert panel issued Minute 30 regarding convening a number of concurrent hearings.
Minute 30 of the expert panel (PDF, 125 KB)
22 May 2026
Minute 29
The expert panel issued Minute 29 regarding the groundwater conference report.
Minute 29 of the expert panel (PDF, 105 KB)
21 May 2026
Minute 28
The expert panel issued Minute 28 regarding responses to recent submissions and direction on geotechnical and conference matters.
Minute 28 of the expert panel (PDF, 119 KB)
Sustainable Tarras email to Chancery Green (PDF, 190 KB)
Memorandum of counsel for Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand (PDF, 664 KB)
Memorandum of counsel for Central Otago Wine Growers Association (PDF, 464 KB)
Memorandum of counsel for Sustainable Tarras (PDF, 199 KB)
20 May 2026
Minute 27
The expert panel issued Minute 27 regarding the appointment of a special advisor.
Minute 27 of the expert panel (PDF, 115 KB)
19 May 2026
Minute 26
The expert panel issued Minute 26 outlining the expert panel's proposed timetable.
Minute 26 of the expert panel (PDF, 106 KB)
Minute 25
The expert panel issued Minute 25 responding to the memorandum from Dr John Cossen dated 17 May 2026.
Minute 25 of the expert panel (PDF, 113 KB)
Memorandum from Dr John Cossen (PDF, 138 KB)
15 May 2026
Minute 24
The expert panel issued Minute 24 responding to the memorandum for Sustainable Tarras (ST) dated 15 May 2026.
Minute 24 of the expert panel (PDF, 113 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for Sustainable Tarras (PDF, 245 KB)
13 May 2026
Minute 23
The expert panel issued Minute 23 regarding groundwater expert conferencing.
Minute 23 of the expert panel (PDF, 137 KB)
Minute 22
The expert panel issued Minute 22 regarding the consideration of participation in expert conferencing by Prof. Higham and Ms. Stevens.
Minute 22 of the expert panel (PDF, 116 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for Sustainable Tarras (PDF, 537 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for the Environmental Defence Society (PDF, 175 KB)
EDS Affidavit of Elizabeth Anne Steven (PDF, 7 MB)
12 May 2026
Minute 21
The expert panel issued Minute 21 acknowledging receipt of a memorandum of counsel for the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand dated 11 May 2026.
Minute 21 of the expert panel (PDF, 97 KB)
Minute 20
The expert panel issued Minute 20 acknowledging receipt of a memorandum of counsel for applicant dated 11 May 2026.
Minute 20 of the expert panel (PDF, 101 KB)
Memorandum of counsel on behalf of the applicant (PDF, 150 KB)
Minute 19
The expert panel issued Minute 19 regarding expert conferencing in relation to air quality.
Minute 19 of the expert panel (PDF, 104 KB)
Minute 18
Further to Minute 13, the expert panel issued Minute 18 regarding supplementing its paper relating to the proposed landscaping expert conference.
Minute 18 of the expert panel (PDF, 181 KB)
11 May 2026
Minute 17
The expert panel issued Minute 17 responding to the Memorandum of Mr Hayden Johnston on behalf of The Canyon Vineyard Limited dated 10 May 2026.
Minute 17 of the expert panel (PDF, 102 KB)
Memorandum on behalf of The Canyon Vineyard Limited (PDF, 35 KB)
Minute 16
The expert panel issued Minute 16 responding to Environmental Defence Society Inc's extension of time request.
Minute 16 of the expert panel (PDF, 101 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for Environmental Defence Society Inc (PDF, 147 KB)
Minute 15
The expert panel issued Minute 15 acknowledging receipt of Director-General of Conservation's memorandum dated 8 May 2026.
Minute 15 of the expert panel (PDF, 107KB)
Memorandum for Director-General of Conservation (PDF, 73 KB)
Statement of evidence – Elizabeth Williams (PDF, 148 KB)
Minute 14
The expert panel issued Minute 14 responding to Sustainable Tarras' extension of time request.
Minute 14 of the expert panel (PDF, 100 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for Sustainable Tarras (PDF, 191 KB)
8 May 2026
Minute 13
The expert panel issued Minute 13 regarding landscape expert conferencing.
Minute 13 of the expert panel (PDF, 109 KB)
Minute 12
The expert panel issued Minute 12 relating to the Memorandum of Counsel for the Applicant dated 7 May 2026.
Minute 12 of the expert panel (PDF, 107 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for Matakanui Gold Limited (PDF, 1.1 MB)
7 May 2026
Minute 11
The expert panel issued Minute 11 to acknowledge receipt of the Central Otago District Council's memorandum of counsel dated 6 May 2026.
Minute 11 of the expert panel (PDF, 109 KB)
Memorandum of counsel for Central Otago District Council (PDF, 213 KB)
Minute 10
The expert panel issued Minute 10 responding to Matakanui Gold Limited’s extension of time request.
Minute 10 of the expert panel (PDF, 104 KB)
4 May 2026
Minute 9
The expert panel issued Minute 9 regarding the panel’s decision to admit additional evidence from Kā Rūnaka relevant to its arguments under s 7 of the Fast-track Approvals Act.
Minute 9 of the expert panel (PDF, 103 KB)
Minute 8
The expert panel issued Minute 8 regarding proposed expert conferencing
- Minute 8 of the expert panel (PDF, 321 KB)
- Expert conferencing questions – economics (PDF, 138 KB)
- Expert conferencing questions – waters (PDF, 96 KB)
- Expert conferencing questions – transport and planning (PDF, 66 KB)
- Expert conferencing questions – landscape architecture (PDF, 156 KB)
- Expert conferencing questions – heritage, air, noise (PDF, 68 KB)
- Expert conferencing questions – geotech (PDF, 196 KB)
- Expert conferencing questions – ecology (PDF, 180 KB)
17 April 2026
Minute 7
The expert panel issued Minute 7 regarding:
preparation for the expert conferences which the panel intends to schedule in May 2026 with the assistance of Chancery Green, environmental law and strategy specialists
the appointment of various advisers to assist the panel.
Minute 7 of the expert panel (PDF, 109 KB)
Minute 6
The expert panel issued Minute 6 regarding the panel’s decision to conduct in-person hearings in Otago during the period of 28–30 April 2026.
Minute 6 of the expert panel (PDF, 135 KB)
30 March 2026 – Minute 5
The expert panel issued Minute 5 regarding additional material, appointment of advisors and a provisional timetable.
Minute 5 of the expert panel (PDF, 120 KB)
16 March 2026 – Minute 4
The expert panel issued Minute 4 regarding the site visit and other matters.
Minute 4 of the expert panel (PDF, 317 KB)
11 March 2026 − Minute 3
The expert panel issued Minute 3 regarding invitations to comment.
Minute 3 of the expert panel (PDF, 724 KB)
6 March 2026 − Minute 2
The expert panel issued Minute 2 following the project overview conference.
Minute 2 of the expert panel (PDF, 108 KB)
25 February 2026 − Minute 1
The expert panel issued Minute 1 regarding the project overview conference.
Minute 1 of the expert panel (PDF, 70 KB)
Correspondence to the expert panel
13 July 2026
The expert panel received a memorandum of counsel from Central Otago District Council seeking leave, reserved in paragraph 9 of Minute 40, for their expert to provide comment on the 2025 Spring Annuals Survey. The panel has since granted the request.
Memorandum of Counsel for Central Otago District Council (PDF, 119 KB)
3 July 2026
Matakanui Gold Limited provided a memorandum of counsel to the expert panel requesting that processing of the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project resume on 17 August 2026.
Memorandum of Counsel for the applicant (PDF, 102 KB)
26 June 2026
The applicant provided a spring annuals report in response to a request in Minute 39 of the expert panel.
Spring annuals report (PDF, 32.7 MB)
25 June 2026
Matakanui Gold Limited (the applicant) provided a memorandum of counsel requesting suspension of processing under s64.
Memorandum of Counsel for the applicant (PDF, 109 KB)
24 June 2026
The expert panel received a memorandum of counsel and Abley report from Central Otago District Council (CODC) regarding transport matters.
Memorandum of Counsel for Central Otago District Council (PDF, 152 KB)
Abley Report for CODC on transportation matters (PDF, 326 KB)
The expert panel also received a memorandum of counsel from the Environmental Defence Society Inc requesting the panel request further information from the applicant regarding ecology effects management.
Memorandum of Counsel for Environmental Defence Society (PDF, 255 KB)
22 June 2026
Matakanui Gold Limited (the applicant) provided a response to the requests made by the panel in Minute 26 and Minute 29.
Memorandum of Counsel for the applicant – Response to Minute 26 (PDF, 196 KB)
Updated Proposed Conditions and Management Plans Covering Memo (PDF, 122 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for the applicant – Legal Response to Minute 29 (PDF, 2.5 MB)
Joint Expert Response to Minute 29 – Groundwater (PDF, 13.6 MB)
Updated proposed conditions and management plans can be viewed on the substantive application page.
17 June 2026
The expert panel received a memorandum of counsel for Sustainable Tarras responding to a question asked by the panel in the Geotech hearing held 16 June 2026. They have also sought leave the hearing on 18 June 2026 on this matter.
Memorandum of Counsel for Sustainable Tarras (PDF, 178 KB)
16 June 2026
The expert panel received a memorandum of counsel for Otago Regional Council responding to a question asked by the panel in the landscape architecture hearing held 9 June 2026.
Memorandum of Counsel for Otago Regional Council (PDF, 140 KB)
5 June 2026
The expert panel has received memorandums of counsel on behalf of Kā Rūnaka dated 5 June 2026 regarding the concurrent hearings.
Memorandum of Counsel for Kā Rūnaka (PDF, 104 KB)
4 June 2026
The expert panel has received memorandums of counsel regarding attendance at the concurrent hearings.
Memorandum of Counsel for Matakanui Gold Limited (PDF, 156 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for the Environmental Defence Society (PDF, 167 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for Sustainable Tarras (PDF, 205 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for Director-General of Conservation (PDF, 72 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for Fish and Game (PDF, 186 KB)
29 May 2026
The expert panel received correspondence from the New Zealand Fish and Game Council regarding the concurrent hearings.
Memorandum of Counsel for Fish and Game (PDF, 192 KB)
Email to EPA on behalf of Fish and Game (PDF, 741 KB)
28 May 2026
The expert panel received correspondence from Kā Rūnaka regarding Mr D Spring's evidence.
Email from Kā Rūnaka counsel 28 May 2026 (PDF, 51 KB)
26 May 2026
A memorandum of counsel was filed on behalf of Matakanui Gold Limited (the applicant) regarding a minor correction to Mr Patterson's evidence.
Memorandum of Counsel for Matakanui Gold Limited (PDF, 150 MB)
22 May 2026
Matakanui Gold Limited provided a statement of evidence of Damian Francis Spring in response to Minute 10 of the expert panel.
Statement of evidence of Damian Francis Spring (PDF, 2.1 MB)
21 May 2026
The expert panel received an errata of E A Steven from the Environmental Defence Society Incorporated.
Errata of E A Steven – EDS (PDF, 4.3 MB)
20 May 2026
The expert panel received correspondence from Sustainable Tarras email to Chancery Green requesting additional topics/questions for geotech resumed conference.
Sustainable Tarras email to Chancery Green (PDF, 190 KB)
The expert panel also received memorandums of counsel on behalf of the Central Otago Winegrowers Association Incorporated, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc and Sustainable Tarras date 20 May 2026.
Memorandum of Counsel Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand (PDF, 664 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel Central Otago Wine Growers Association (PDF, 464 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for Sustainable Tarras (PDF, 199 KB)
18 May 2026
A memorandum of counsel was filed on behalf of Matakanui Gold Limited (the applicant) in response to Minute 21 issued by the expert panel.
Memorandum of Counsel for Matakanui Gold Limited (PDF, 9 MB)
The EPA has received a memorandum from Dr John Cossens dated 17 May 2026.
Memorandum from Dr John Cossen (PDF, 138 KB)
15 May 2026
The EPA has received a memorandum of counsel for Sustainable Tarras responding to Minute 20
Memorandum of Counsel for Sustainable Tarras (PDF, 245 KB)
12 May 2026
Memoranda of counsel for Sustainable Tarras and the Environmental Defence Society (EDS) have been provided responding to Minute 12.
Memorandum of Counsel for Sustainable Tarras (PDF, 537 KB)
Memorandum of Counsel for the Environmental Defence Society (PDF, 175 KB)
EDS Affidavit of Elizabeth Anne Steven (PDF, 7 MB)
11 May 2026
A memorandum of counsel was filed by Matakanui Gold Limited (the applicant) regarding expert conferencing.
Memorandum of counsel on behalf of the applicant (PDF, 150 KB)
Responses to Minute 12
The EPA has received a memorandum of counsel for Environmental Defence Society Inc in response to Minute 12 requesting an extension to the timeframe.
Memorandum of Counsel for Environmental Defence Society Inc (PDF, 147 KB)
A memorandum of counsel for the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc was received in response to Minute 12.
10 May 2026
Response to Minute 12
The EPA has received the follow response to Minute 12 of expert panel.
Memorandum on behalf of The Canyon Vineyard Limited (PDF, 35 KB)
8 May 2026
Response to Minute 8
A memorandum of counsel and statement of evidence was filed by the Department of Conservation in response to Minute 8 expert conferencing.
Memorandum for Director-General of Conservation (PDF, 73 KB)
Statement of evidence – Elizabeth Williams (PDF, 148 KB)
Response to Minute 12
The EPA has received a memorandum of counsel for Sustainable Tarras in response to Minute 12 requesting an extension to the timeframe.
Memorandum of Counsel for Sustainable Tarras (PDF, 191 KB)
7 May 2026
Response to Minute 8
Matakanui Gold Limited (the applicant) provide a response to Minute 8 of the expert panel regarding expert conferencing.
Memorandum of Counsel for Matakanui Gold Limited (PDF, 1.1 MB)
6 May 2026
Responses to Minute 8
The EPA has received the following responses to Minute 8 of the expert panel regarding expert conferencing.
Di Lucas – response to Minute 8 (PDF, 132 KB)
Peter Rough – response to Minute 8 (PDF, 295 KB)
Response to Minute 9
The applicant provided a memorandum of counsel responding to Minute 9 of the expert panel regarding the panel's decision to admit additional evidence from Kā Rūnaka.
Memorandum of counsel for Matakanui Gold Limited (PDF, 116 KB)
Central Otago District Council (CODC)
A memorandum of counsel was filed by CODC in response to a question raised by Commissioner Barry during the expert panel hearing on 29 April 2026.
Memorandum of counsel for Central Otago District Council (PDF, 213 KB)
22 April 2026
The EPA has received the following responses to Minute 7 of the expert panel regarding expert conferencing.
- Central Otago District Council (PDF, 795 KB)
- Department of Conservation (PDF, 629 KB)
- Environmental Defence Society Incorporated (PDF, 172 KB)
- Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (PDF, 280 KB)
- Kā Rūnaka (PDF, 87 KB)
- Matakanui Gold Limited (PDF, 293 KB)
- New Zealand Fish and Game Council and Otago Fish and Game Council (PDF, 213 KB)
- New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (PDF, 156 KB)
- Otago Regional Council (PDF, 216 KB)
- Sustainable Tarras (PDF, 258 KB)
10 April 2026
The Department of Conservation provided a memorandum of counsel responding to Minute 5 of the expert panel.
Memorandum of Counsel from Department of Conservation (PDF, 72 KB)
2 April 2026
The Environmental Defence Society INC (EDS) provided a memorandum of counsel responding to Minute 5 of the expert panel.
Memorandum of counsel from EDS (PDF, 54 KB)
31 March 2026
The Otago Regional Council provided a memorandum of counsel responding to Minute 5 of the expert panel.
Memorandum of counsel from Otago Regional Council (PDF, 161 KB)
12 December 2025
The applicant provided a memorandum of counsel responding to minute of the Panel Convener regarding timeframe.
Memorandum of counsel from applicant (PDF, 138 KB)
Minutes of the panel convener
4 February 2026 − Minute 5
The panel convener issued Minute 5 advising of the expert panel appointments and decision timeframe
Minute 5 of the panel convener (PDF, 168 KB)
21 January 2026 − Minute 4
The panel convener issued Minute 4 regarding a prospective expert panel member.
Minute 4 of the panel convener (PDF, 137 KB)
18 December 2025 − Minute 3 regarding convener conference
The panel convener issued Minute 3 regarding the convener conference.
Minute 3 of the panel convener (PDF, 150 KB)
9 December 2025
Minute 2 regarding the timeframe
The panel convener issued Minute 2 regarding the applicant's expectations relating to the timeframe.
Minute 2 of the panel convener (PDF, 102 KB)
Minute 1 regarding a conference
The panel convener issued Minute 1 regarding a conference to be held for the Bendigo-Ophir Gold project.
Minute 1 of the panel convener (PDF, 161 KB)
8 December 2025 − Minute requesting section 51 report
The panel convener issued a Minute requesting advice from the Department of Conservation and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga under section 51 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.