Waikato West Coast Mussel Spat Nursery

Project summary

The project is to establish and operate, using conventional longline methods, a new 700-hectare mussel spat nursery farm at four sites in the coastal marine area of the Waikato west coast, for the purpose of spat catching and seed holding and transfer of Greenshell mussel (Perna canaliculus).

The applicant seeks the following approvals under the fast-track approvals process to authorise the project:

• Resource consents under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) described in section 42(4)(a) of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 (the Act).

Project location

The four sites are in the coastal marine area, approximately 3km offshore from the coastline, near Whāingaroa/Raglan, on the west coast of the Waikato Region.

Project referral

The Minister for Infrastructure referred the project to the Fast-track on 4 May 2026. The application was lodged on 3 December 2025.

Notice of decisions on application for referral of the Waikato West Coast Mussel Spat Nursery project (PDF, 345 KB)

Completeness decision

The substantive application by North Western Mussels Limited was deemed complete on 30 October 2026. The application complies with the requirements of section 46 (2) of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. The application was lodged on 7 October 2026.

Decision on completeness and scope – Waikato West Coast Mussel Spat Nursery substantive application (PDF, 90KB)

Memorandum on Completeness and Scope (PDF, 1 MB)

Competing applications decision

The substantive application by North Western Mussels Limited was deemed not to have any competing applications or existing resource consents on 13 November 2026. This decision is required under section 47 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.

Record of decision on competing applications – Waikato West Coast Mussel Spat Nursery substantive application

The application has now been referred to the panel convener for determination by a panel.