Draft decision and conditions

On 13 March 2026, the Waitaha Hydro project expert panel released its draft decision and conditions. 

The panel proposes to grant the approvals sought in this application.

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 must also issue the panel’s draft decision document for each approval in accordance with section 70(2)(b). 

The panel set a deadline of 27 March 2026 for receiving this response. 

The panel also set a deadline of 7 April 2026 for the applicant to respond to comments received under section 70.

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 27 March 2026 for receiving this response. 

Comments on draft decision and conditions

Applicant's comments on draft decision and conditions

Applicant response to comments on draft conditions