On 3 November 2025 the Government introduced the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill. On its face the Amendment Bill's focus is on improving competition in New Zealand’s grocery sector; if passed, however, the proposed amendments will bring broader changes to the Fast-track Approvals regime which will affect a much wider range of organisations and sectors.
The key changes introduced by the Amendment Bill include:
- Stricter timeframes / faster processes, including a 15-working day limit for setting up a panel, a 60-working day limit for issuing a final decision and a 10-working day limit (after appointment of the panel) for comments on a substantive application
- Restricted commenting rights of invited commenters, limited to those considered "appropriate" by the panel but only where the relevant local authority or relevant administering agency does not intend to address the matter, or where their comments would not sufficiently address it
- Restricted appeal rights of invited commenters, limiting rights of appeal to only those from whom comments "must" have been invited (under sections 17(1), 53(2) or 35(1)(a)-(d))
- The ability for applicants and local authorities to raise concerns about the suitability of panel members
- Provision for the Minister for Infrastructure to issue a Government policy statement stating the Government’s policies about the regional or national benefits of certain types of infrastructure or development projects
- Ministerial powers to approve 'modifications' to an application after it has been referred (if requested to do so by a panel)
- Ministerial powers to issue directions to the Environmental Protection Authority in relation to its performance and exercise of its functions, duties and powers.
The Amendment Bill is expected to have its first reading this Thursday, following which it will be referred to the Environment Select Committee. The Government has signalled an intention to pass the Amendment Bill before the end of the year.
We will monitor these developments closely and provide further updates in due course. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the Amendment Bill or would like assistance with the legislative process, please get in touch with a member of our team.
Co-authored by Sean Chan (solicitor).
