This guidance is based on the Ministry of Justice’s media guide for reporting the courts and tribunals:
Media information – New Zealand Ministry of Justice website
Please contact the communications team with any queries: media@fasttrack.govt.nz
Notice of a hearing
Fast-track project panels will issue a Notice of Hearing no later than five working days before any hearing date. This will be published on the relevant project page on the Fast-track website and include the date, time and place.
A hearing schedule will also be provided on the project page, detailing the speakers and running order, but this is subject to change.
Attendance and permissions
A hearing is open to the public and media unless the panel orders exclusion from all or part of it.
Media must seek permission to attend, take photographs and record audiovisual content.
Email the communications team to receive an application form: media@fasttrack.govt.nz
Complete the application form and sending it back to the communications team as soon as possible.
This permission is required both for media attending in-person and for media attending virtually via livestream. Livestream links are provided on the Fast-track website project page shortly before the meeting.
Advanced permission is recommended. Permission may be sought on the day, but sufficient reason should be provided. Advanced notice ensures we can accommodate media personnel and equipment in the venue, as well as communicate orders from the panel.
Interviews
While hearings are open to the public and media, they are not an open forum for participation. Only invited parties can speak during the meeting.
Media can conduct interviews outside of the meeting room and official proceedings.
An exception is the panel, who are not available for media interviews.
The Fast-track communications team can provide Fast-track process details and further information. All general media enquiries should be directed to media@fasttrack.govt.nz
On the day
Before the hearing begins, please make yourself known to the Fast-track team and provide suitable identification to show you are a member of the media.
Electronic communication devices must be turned off/muted, only used for silent communication and used as unobtrusively as possible.
When held on marae, media must understand and comply with protocols for that venue.
Follow ups
Recordings and any available transcripts of the hearings will be available shortly after the event on the relevant project page on the Fast-track website.
Legislation
There is no requirement for a panel to hold a hearing in respect of a substantive application, and no person has a right to be heard by a panel.
Section 57 of the 2024 Fast-track Approvals Act outlines provisions if a hearing is held:
FAST-TRACK APPROVALS ACT 2024 - SECT 57 Procedure if hearing is held
Who may appear and be heard
1. If, in its discretion, a panel considers it is appropriate to hold a hearing on a substantive application (or any part of a substantive application), it may hear from:
a) the applicant (or, if the substantive application is lodged by more than 1 authorised person, any of those persons); and
b) any person commissioned by the panel to write a report on the substantive application; and
c) any person or group that provided comments under section 35 or 53.
2. If a person or group that provided comments is heard, a panel must give the applicant the opportunity to be heard.
Notices and timing requirements
3. If a panel decides to hold a hearing, the EPA, at the direction of the panel, must issue a notice of hearing to persons and groups referred to in subsection (1), fixing the date, time, and place of the hearing.
4. The notice must give no less than 5 working days' notice of the hearing, and must advise the persons and groups notified—
a) that they may appear and be heard, be represented, and call evidence in relation to the substantive application (or the part of the substantive application for which a hearing is held); and
b) that they must, within 3 working days after the notice of hearing is given, advise the EPA whether they will attend the hearing.
5. If a person or group advises the EPA under subsection (4)(b) that they will attend a hearing but fails to appear, the panel may proceed with the hearing.
6. A panel must complete any hearing within the time frame allowed under section 79 for the panel to issue its decisions under section 88.
Application of Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
7. For the purposes of this section and sections 58 and 59 , Part 1 and sections 48 and 53 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 apply, with any necessary modifications, as if a panel were a board of inquiry given authority to conduct a hearing under section 149J of the Resource Management Act 1991.