Draft decision and conditions

On 26 June 2026, the State Highway 1 North Canterbury Woodend Bypass (Belfast to Pegasus) expert panel released its draft decision and conditions.

The panel is proposing to grant the approvals sought in this application.

Minute 10 of the expert panel (PDF, 128KB)

Draft decision (PDF 1.1MB) (includes appendices A and B)

Comments on the draft decision and conditions

Under section 70 of 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 has set a deadline of 3 July 2026 for receiving this response. 

Under section 72 of the Act, an expert panel must 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 this response. 

Comments received on draft conditions under section 70

Waimakariri District Council

Canterbury Regional Council 

Canterbury Regional Council comments on draft conditions (PDF, 289KB)

Department of Conservation

Heritage New Zealand 

Heritage NZ comments on draft conditions (PDF, 445KB)

Jan Vlk 

The applicant

Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust

Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust cover letter (PDF, 106 KB)

Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust Appendix B (PDF, 911 KB)

Comments received under section 72 

S72 comment Minister for Māori Development and Minister for Māori Crown Relations (PDF, 371 KB)

Applicant's response to comments received on draft conditions

On 13 July 2026 the applicant provided a response to the section 70 comments.