Minutes of the expert panel
4 February 2026 – Minute 9
The expert panel issued Minute 9 granting the applicant's request to suspend processing of the application. The suspension will start from 11.59pm on 4 February 2026.
Minute 9 of the expert panel (PDF, 131KB)
Memorandum of counsel from the applicant (PDF, 211KB)
29 January 2026 − Minute 8
The expert panel issued Minute 8 regarding a report received from the panel's technical advisor (traffic advice) and a request for information relating to Waipapa Stream Bridge.
Minute 8 of the expert panel (PDF, 123 KB)
27 January 2026 − Minute 7
The expert panel issued Minute 7 regarding its direction following expert conferencing. This includes indicative timing of a draft decision and preliminary indications on certain outstanding issues.
Minute 7 of the expert panel (PDF 140 KB)
13 January 2026 − Minute 6
The expert panel issued Minute 6 regarding a report received from the panel's technical advisor (ecological) and updated directions for expert conferencing (ecology).
Minute 6 of the expert panel (PDF, 193KB)
12 January 2026 – Minute 5
The expert panel issued Minute 5 regarding a request for information on Stormwater and National Policy Direction.
Minute 5 of the expert panel (PDF, 112KB)
6 January 2026 − Minute 4
The expert panel issued Minute 4 regarding arrangements for a conditions workshop to be facilitated by Marlene Oliver.
Minute 4 of the expert panel (PDF, 148KB)
19 December 2025 − Minute 3
The expert panel issued Minute 3 recording that the technical advisors have undertaken a site visit, the applicant's response to comments, a request for further information and expert witness conferencing.
Minute 3 of the expert panel (PDF, 138KB)
Attachment 1: Draft agenda for ecology conference (PDF, 226KB)
15 December 2025 − Minute 2
The expert panel issued Minute 2 regarding comments received, appointment of technical advisors, request for further information and proposed expert witness conferencing.
Minute 2 of the expert panel (PDF, 131KB)
11 November 2025 − Minute 1
The expert panel issued Minute 1 regarding applicant briefing and site visit, s67 further information request and recording their decision on which parties are to be invited to comment.
Minute 1 of the expert panel (PDF, 418KB)
Minutes of the panel convener
15 October 2025 — Minute regarding appointments and timeframe
The panel convener issued a minute regarding the expert panel appointments and the application timeframe.
Minute of the panel convener regarding panel appointments and timeframe (PDF, 160KB)
10 October 2025 – Minute regarding correspondence received
The panel convener issued a minute regarding correspondence received regarding panel appointment process
Minute of the panel convener regarding correspondence received (PDF, 275KB)
2 October 2025 – Minute regarding post-conference directions
The panel convener issued a minute regarding post-conference directions to conference participants.
Minute of the panel convener regarding post-conference directions (PDF, 127KB)
26 September 2025 – Minute regarding conference
The panel convener issued a minute regarding the planned conference on 1 October 2025.
Minute of the panel convener regarding the convener conference (PDF, 217KB)
8 September 2025 – Minute requesting section 51 report
The panel convener issued a minute requesting a section 51 report from the Director-General of Conservation and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and the Māori Heritage Council.
On 17 September 2025 the panel convener amended the section 51 report.
Minute of the panel convener requesting the s51 report (PDF, 142KB)
Correspondence to the panel
23 January 2026
The applicant provided a memorandum of counsel, regarding next steps following the ecological expert conferencing and conditions workshop on 20 and 21 January 2026.
Memorandum of counsel from the applicant (PDF, 124KB)
16 January 2026
The applicant provided a letter regarding a correction in Attachment 2 to NZTA's Response to Comments from Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
Letter of Correction from the applicant (PDF, 136KB)
7 November 2025
The applicant provided a memorandum of counsel regarding proposed process and timing.
Memorandum of counsel from the applicant (PDF, 146KB)
8 May 2025
Powerco provided a letter requesting to comment.
Letter from Powerco (PDF, 241KB)
Correspondence to the panel convener
10 October 2025
The Director-General of Conservation provided a memorandum of counsel regarding a response to Minute regarding post-conference directions.
Memorandum of counsel from Director-General of Conservation (PDF, 87KB)
A joint memorandum on behalf of the applicant, local authorities and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga was provided regarding a response to Minute regarding post-conference directions.
Ngāti Taka provided a memorandum of counsel regarding a response to Minute regarding post-conference directions.
Memorandum of counsel from Ngāti Taka (PDF, 141KB)
Pirirākau provided a memorandum regarding a response to Minute regarding post-conference directions.