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Fast Track Consenting

We are one of New Zealand's most experienced teams in fast-track consenting, advising on projects under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 and the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020.

Our experience spans large-scale solar, ports, transport infrastructure, quarries, geothermal energy, retirement villages, mixed use, residential and industrial developments. We have acted for applicants, invited parties and iwi authorities on major consenting projects through the referral and substantive stages of the fast-track process.  Our team was actively involved in shaping the COVID-19 fast-track legislation, and Daniel Minhinnick and Kristen Gunnell have chaired expert consenting panels. We know the process inside out and how to get a project across the line.

Experience

 Our experience includes advising:

  • Port of Auckland on securing approval for its major wharf extension project to enhance berthing capacity at New Zealand’s busiest port, the first project approved under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.

  • Precinct on the redevelopment of the Downtown Car Park site in Auckland. The NZ$1.2 billion project involves the integrated redevelopment of a full city block, including three podium buildings, two towers of 56 and 45 floors, six levels of shared basement, public spaces and laneways.  We are also assisting Precinct on its fast-track project for a residential-led development in Wynyard Quarter.

  • Graymont (NZ) Limited on the referral and substantive applications for its proposed expansion of its Oparure Quarry near Te Kūiti, New Zealand’s largest limestone quarry by output.

  • Kings Quarry Limited, the owner of a major aggregate quarry in Wainui, Auckland, to secure fast-track resource consents and wildlife approvals for an expansion enabling extraction of up to 500,000 tonnes per annum over 45 years and including a successful defence in the High Court.

  • Summerset on applications for retirement village developments and extensions for developments in Waikanae, Half Moon Bay, Rotorua and Paraparaumu.

  • Harmony Energy on its 100 MW Hinuera Solar Farm and on a High Court appeal challenging the fast-track consent for its 133 MW Carterton Solar Farm.

  • KiwiRail on fast-track applications for new train stations in Drury, the Papakura to Pukekōhe electrification project, and major terminal and port upgrades of ferry infrastructure in Kaiwharawhara and Picton.

  • Fletcher Residential Limited and Auckland Thoroughbred Racing on The Hill residential development in Ellerslie.

  • Arvida on fast-track applications for its Lincoln retirement village and Warkworth urban development.

  • Beachlands South Limited Partnership on its substantive application for fast-track consent to develop a comprehensive residential development of approximately 2,000 dwellings including local centre, schools, commercial and community facilities.

  • Knight Investments Limited in on its business park development in Beachlands.

  • Waste Management on the extension of the Redvale landfill.

  • Harmony Energy on the 100 MW Hinuera Solar Farm.

  • Simplicity Living on its comprehensively master-planned residential neighbourhood at Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile in Queenstown comprising approximately 1100 new homes supported by community facilities, transport infrastructure, open space, and a local commercial centre.

  • HND Upland in securing consents for the Upland Road retirement village.

  • Woolworths New Zealand limited in relation to NZTA's fast-track application for the Norhwest Rapid Transit Project.

  • Airways Corporation of New Zealand in relation to a fast-track industrial development near Christchurch International Airport.

  • Rotorua Airport Limited in relation to the aviation safety implications of the Taheke Geothermal fast-track project.

  • Ngāpuhi in relation to the fast-track project for the Rangitane Maritime Development.

  • Rydges Hotel in relation to the Federal Street Residences fast-track project.

In addition to acting for applicants and interested parties, Daniel Minhinnick has chaired expert consenting panels for the Milldale Development, The Point Mission Bay and Beachlands Housing Development. Kristen Gunnell has chaired the expert consenting panel for the Maraekakaho Quarry.