Minor corrections
On 30 April 2026, the expert panel received correspondence from the applicant requesting a number of amendments to the conditions of consent.
Westpower LTD Memorandum - minor corrections (PDF, 163KB)
On 7 May 2026, the expert panel received correspondence from the Department of Conservation requesting a number of amendments to the decision text and conditions of consent.
Department of Conservation - minor corrections (PDF, 273KB)
On 15 May 2026, the expert panel issued an addendum decision that outlines which amendments they have agreed to make.
Minute 13 of the expert panel (PDF, 180KB)
Amended decision report and conditions of consent
- Waitaha Hydro – Decision (PDF, 2 MB)
- Appendix B – Resource Consent Conditions (PDF, 2 MB)
- Appendix C – List of Concessions (PDF, 93 KB)
- Appendix D1 – Concession (Lease and License) (PDF, 9 MB)
- Appendix D2 – Concession (Easement) (PDF, 10 MB)
- Appendix E – Wildlife Act Permit (PDF, 1007 KB)
- Appendix F – Freshwater Fisheries Approval (PDF, 203 KB)
- Appendix G1 – Summary of Comments on Application (PDF, 262 KB)
Appendices A and G2 remain as originally issued below.
Decision report and conditions of consent
On 17 April 2026, the expert panel granted approvals for the Waitaha Hydro application. The approvals are subject to conditions.
- SUPERCEDED Waitaha Hydro – decisions of the expert panel (PDF, 3 MB)
- SUPERCEDED Appendix B – Resource Consent Conditions (PDF, 3 MB)
- SUPERCEDED Appendix D2 – Concession Easement (PDF, 10 MB)
- SUPERCEDED Appendix D1 – Concession Lease and License (PDF, 10 MB)
- SUPERCEDED Appendix C – List of Concessions (PDF, 598 KB)
- SUPERCEDED Appendix E – Wildlife Act Permit (PDF, 1 MB)
- SUPERCEDED Appendix G1 – Summary of Comments on Application (PDF, 734 KB)
- SUPERCEDED Appendix F – Freshwater Fisheries Approval (PDF, 691 KB)
- Appendix A – List of Resource Consents (PDF, 225 KB)
- Appendix G2 – Summary of Comments on Conditions (PDF, 467 KB)
- Appendix H – Glossary (PDF, 193 KB)
Appeal rights
The panel’s decision can be appealed to the High Court in whole or in part on questions of law only. Any of the following persons may appeal:
the applicant (or, if the substantive application was lodged by more than 1 authorised person, the person who was proposed to hold the approval)
any relevant local authority
the Attorney-General
any person or group that provided comments in response to an invitation given under this Act.
A notice of appeal must be filed with the Registrar of the High Court within 20 working-days after the date on which the decision document that relates to the approval is published.
Appeals can be served on the panel by emailing them to: general.counsel@epa.govt.nz
or by post to:
Waitaha Hydro expert panel
c/- Environmental Protection Authority
Attn: General Counsel
Private Bag 63002
Wellington 6140
Further details on how to proceed with an appeal are covered in section 100 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 No 56, Public Act 100 Procedural matters – New Zealand Legislation