POT notified of legal challenges to Stella Passage

Port of Tauranga notified of legal challenges to Stella Passage resource consent Port of Tauranga (NZX:POT) advises that three appeals and two judicial review applications have been filed against the fast-track expert panel decision to approve the Stella Passage development. Port of Tauranga intends to vigorously defend the approval, issued on 7 September, and will be seeking an expedited hearing. Appeals have been filed by: • Ngāi Te Rangi Settlement Trust • Ngāti Pūkenga • Ngāti Ranginui Iwi Society Incorporated, Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Ranginui Settlement Trust, and the Ngāti Ranginui Fisheries Trust. The applications for judicial review have been filed by: • Ngāti Kuku Hapū Trust • Ngā Tai ki Mauao Manatōpū and Ngā Hapū o Ngā Moutere Trust. The Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 provides that appeals and judicial reviews relating to the same matter should be heard together and the Port will ask the High Court for a single hearing. The Port will also be applying for an urgent hearing and hopes to have confirmation within the next month of a hearing date. The Stella Passage development involves extending the Sulphur Point container berth by 385 metres (in two stages) and the Mount Maunganui wharves by 315 metres, by converting existing cargo storage land within the Port’s current footprint. It also involves associated reclamation of the land behind the new wharves and dredging of the passage. For more information, please contact: Rochelle Lockley GM Communications 021 865 884 Email rochelle.lockley@port-tauranga.co.nz