Stella Passage Development

Project summary

The project involves the following activities.

• 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 description has been updated by the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Act 2025.

Project location

Coastal marine area within Tauranga Harbour at Sulphur Point and Mount Maunganui.

Initial application as listed project

The project was listed in schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.

Stella Passage Development listing application – Ministry for the Environment website

A substantive application was lodged on 14 April 2025.

Stella Passage Development: initial substantive application

Judicial review of completeness decision

On 27 August 2025, Justice Boldt issued his decision on the judicial review of the EPA's decision on completeness for the Port of Tauranga Limited's Stella Passage application.

Judicial review of completeness decision (PDF, 296KB)

New referral application

Port of Tauranga Limited lodged a new referral application with an updated description of the project on 24 September 2025.

The project was referred to the Fast-track on 26 November 2025. 

The Minister for Infrastructure referred the project to the Fast-track on 26 November 2025. The application was lodged on 24 September 2025.

Stella Passage – Stage 2 Notice of decisions (PDF, 219KB)