- Listed
- Withdrawn
- Reapplied
- Comments
- Panel considering
- Decision
Project summary
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.
Project location
911 hectares at Taharoa Road, Taharoa, approximately 8 kilometres south of Kawhia and 45 kilometres northwest of Te Kūiti.
Project listing application
Central and Southern Block Mining application – Ministry for the Environment website
Initial application
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.
Second application (current)
On 26 January 2026, the applicant reapplied for a substantive application using the listed project description as amended under the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Act 2025. This is considered a new application, subject to fees and charges.
Completeness decision
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)
Competing applications decision
The substantive application by Taharoa Ironsands Limited was deemed not to have any competing applications or existing resource consents on 25 February 2026. This decision is required under section 47 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
Record of decision on competing applications - Central and Southern Block Mining (PDF, 100KB)
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First substantive application (returned)
The substantive application documents for the Central and Southern Block Mining project which was later returned. -
Second substantive application
The documents for the Central and Southern Block Mining project's second substantive application. -
Correspondence
Minutes, directions and other correspondence to and from the panel convener and expert panel regarding the Central and Southern Block Mining Project. -
Reports and advice
Read reports, advice and further information sought in relation to the Central and Southern Block Mining project. -
Conferences, workshops and hearings
Watch and learn more about conferences, workshops and hearings in relation to the Central and Southern Block Mining project. -
Expert panel
Information about the expert panel appointed to consider and decide the Central and Southern Block Mining application. -
Comments from invited parties
The expert panel invites written comments on the application from the persons or groups set out in section 53(2) of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.