Draft decision and conditions    

On 26 June 2026, the Haldon Solar expert panel released its draft decision and conditions. 

The panel proposes to grant the approval sought in this application.

Minute 19 of the expert panel (PDF, 119 KB)

Comments on the draft decision and conditions

Under section 70 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 (the Act), an expert panel must invite comments on the draft conditions from:

  •  the applicant 

  • every person or group that provided comments under section 35 or 53 

  • any local authority or other body with a statutory responsibility to enforce or monitor compliance with the conditions. 

The panel must also issue the panel’s draft decision document for each approval in accordance with section 70(2)(b). 

Under section 72 of the Act, an expert panel must also invite comments on the draft decision, including any draft conditions, from:

  • the Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti

  • the Minister for Māori Development.

The panel set a deadline of 13 July 2026 for receiving comments.

Comments received on draft conditions under section 70

Canterbury Regional Council 

Department of Conservation 

Department of Conservation addendum received 16 July 2026

Department of Conservation addendum to section 70 comments (PDF, 2 MB)

Mackenzie District Council

Environmental Defence Society 

Forest and Bird 

Kai Tahu

Lodestone Energy Limited

Comments received under section 72

Section 72 comment from the Minister for Māori crown relations and the Minister for Māori development (PDF, 435 KB)

Applicant response to comments on draft conditions

Applicant's response to Department of Conservation's 16 July 2026 addendum

As per Minute 20, the expert panel allowed an extra two days for the applicant to respond to Department of Conservation's addendum, received 16 July 2026. The applicant's response was received on 23 July 2026.

Lodestone Energy response to DOCs addendum (PDF, 103 KB)