Extension of the Sulphur Point and Mount Maunganui wharves at the Port of Tauranga including dredging, and installation and use of four new cranes on the Sulphur Point wharves.
Tags: InfrastructureBay of Plenty
Listed
Withdrawn
Reapplied
Comments
Panel considering
Decision
Applicant has reapplied
On 22January 2026 the applicant reapplied for the Stella Passage Development listed project after withdrawing their original application on 16 January 2026.
On 27 November 2025, a referral application for this project was approved. The applicant has not yet submitted a substantive application for assessment under this referral pathway.
Each application is considered a new application, subject to fees and charges.
Information on the original (withdrawn) and subsequent applications is provided below.
Deepening, by dredging, approximately 10.55 hectares of Stella Passage to a finished depth of approximately 16 metres below Chart Datum (CD) (approximately mean low water spring tide). This would yield a volume of dredgings of approximately 1.5 million cubic metres. This dredging will provide clearance for vessels to berth at the proposed wharf extensions.
Maintenance dredging, on an as needed basis, to maintain an operational depth of 16 metres below CD within sitting basins and the shipping channel of Stella Passage.
Reclamation of approximately 3.58 hectares of the CMA either side of Stella Passage, to facilitate the wharf extensions. Approximately 1.81 hectares is to be reclaimed on the Sulphur Point (western) side, and approximately 1.77 hectares is to be reclaimed on the Mount Maunganui (eastern) side.
Development of an approximately 385 metre long extension to the south of the existing Sulphur Point wharves in two stages, a 285 metre extension first and the balance later.
Development of an approximately 315 metre long extension to the south of the existing Mount Maunganui wharves in stages.
Reconfiguration of existing structures and development of new structures in the CMA, primarily wharf piles, berthing piles and jetties.
Construction and use of four additional cranes atop the proposed Sulphur Point wharf and Mount Maunganui wharves extensions for port operations (shipping container handling).
If necessary, the capture and relocation of kororā/blue penguin from the footprint of the Mount Maunganui extension.
Activities involved in, or that support and are subsidiary to, the project.
This project description was updated on 16 December 2025 under the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Act 2025.
Project location
Coastal marine area within Tauranga Harbour at Sulphur Point and Mount Maunganui.
Listed project applications
The project was listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
On 22 January 2026 the applicant reapplied for a listed 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.
The (second) substantive application by Port of Tauranga Limited was deemed complete on 12 February 2026. The application complies with the requirements of section 46 (2) of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. The application was lodged on 22 January 2026.
The initial substantive application for the Stella Passage Development listed project, and information about its processing before the judicial review. This application was withdrawn on 16 January 2026.