On 26 January 2026, the applicant reapplied after their initial application was returned to them on 26 November 2025.
This is considered a new application, subject to fees and charges.
Information on the initial substantive application and second substantive application is provided below.
Continue existing mineral sand extraction, including land preparation works, constructing a water supply reservoir, extracting ironsand material using dry and wet-mining techniques, processing extracted material, and transporting raw and processed material.
911 hectares at Taharoa Road, Taharoa, approximately 8 kilometres south of Kawhia and 45 kilometres northwest of Te Kūiti.
Central and Southern Block Mining application – Ministry for the Environment website
Taharoa Ironsands Limited lodged their initial substantive application for the Central and Southern Block Mining project on 5 November 2025. This initial substantive application was returned to applicant on 26 November 2025. The application was returned after it was assessed as not complying with all the requirements of section 46 (2) of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
Record of decision on completeness and scope – Central and Southern Mining Block (PDF, 112KB)
Memorandum on Completeness and Scope (PDF, 2.8MB)
The applicant has subsequently reapplied.
The substantive application by Taharoa Ironsands Limited was deemed complete on 16 February 2026. The application complies with the requirements of section 46(2) of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
Memorandum on completeness and scope (PDF, 1347KB)