On 19 November 2025, the Southland Wind Farm expert panel released Minute 1 recording their decision on which parties are to be invited to comment.

Minute 1 of the expert panel (PDF, 765KB)

The closing date for comments was 17 December 2025.

Comments received

Councils

Environment Southland comments (PDF, 372KB)

Gore District Council comments (PDF, 282KB)

Southland District Council

Individuals / Owners and occupiers of land

Hamish Robinson (PDF, 320KB)

Julie Clarke (PDF, 60KB)

McDonald No.2 Family Trust (PDF, 70KB)

Prime Range Farms (PDF, 715KB)

Tim Story (PDF, 87KB)

Warren Ayers (PDF, 361KB)

Iwi

Te Ao Mārama Inc (PDF, 270KB)

Ministers

Associate Minister for the Environment (PDF, 56KB)

Minister for Climate Change (PDF, 149KB)

Minister for Economic Growth (PDF, 429KB)

Minister for Energy (PDF, 86KB)

Minister for Infrastructure and RMA Reform (PDF, 97KB)

Minister for Māori Crown Relations (PDF, 325KB)

Minister for Regional Development (PDF, 273KB)

Minister for Rural Communities (PDF, 225KB)

Minister for South Island (PDF, 436KB)

Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PDF, 125KB)

Other comments received

Department of Conservation (PDF, 1MB)

Environmental Defence Society (PDF, 1.25MB)

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (PDF, 1.42MB)

NZ Game Animal Council (PDF, 210KB)

Southland Conservation Board (PDF, 302KB)

Transpower (PDF, 133KB)

West Catlins Preservation Society (PDF, 3.2MB)

Applicant's response to comments received

On 14 January 2026, the applicant provided its response to comments received, including updated proposed conditions.