Consultation before applying
Before applying, applicants must consult with relevant iwi authorities, hapū and Treaty settlement entities as listed in the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
These pre-application consultation requirements also apply to a substantive application for a listed project.
Referral application stage
The Minister for Infrastructure decides whether the project should be referred to the substantive stage of the Fast-track process.
This involves inviting comments on the referral application from relevant iwi authorities, hapū and Treaty settlement entities and other relevant Māori groups.
Land exchange
Before lodging a substantive application, projects seeking approval for a land exchange must lodge their application with the Department of Conservation (DOC).
This involves DOC inviting comments on the proposed land exchange from relevant iwi authorities, hapū and Treaty settlement entities and other relevant Māori groups.
Substantive application stage
An expert panel decides whether to approve or decline a project, and whether to impose conditions on a project.
Expert panels may invite comments on the application and draft conditions, or request further information about the application, from relevant iwi authorities, hapū and Treaty settlement entities and other relevant Māori groups.
Contribution fees
Under some circumstances, Māori groups that provide comments on Fast-track applications when requested may be eligible to claim a contribution fee.
Information about this fee and how to claim it can be found on the Cost recovery for agencies page. Note that you will need to register as a supplier before being able to invoice us.
This contribution fee does not apply for pre-lodgement consultation requested by applicants.