Contact the Fast-track team

Only people and organisations specified in the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 (Act) can comment on an application. The Act does not allow panels to give public or limited notification for comments.  

The Fast-track team, on behalf of the expert panel, will invite relevant people or organisations to comment on an application at the appropriate time.  

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 No 56, Public Act Opportunity for comment on substantive application – New Zealand Legislation  

Projects can be listed or referred to the Fast-track process. Projects listed in the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 (Act) don’t need referral and can go straight to the substantive application. Other projects need referral before making a substantive application.  

Projects listed in the Act:  

Listed projects – Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 –New Zealand Legislation website 

Referral applications  

The Minister for Infrastructure decides whether to accept projects for referral to the Fast-track.  There are specified criteria for assessing a referral application. For example, the Minister may consider whether a project will increase the supply of housing, address housing needs, or contribute to a well-functioning urban environment. 

Referral application to use the Fast-track

Substantive applications  

Expert panels make the decisions to approve or refuse consents and whether to impose conditions.  

The Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 specifies other requirements for making a decision, including the opportunity for panels to transfer certain decisions to the appropriate Minister, or for the appropriate Minister to ‘call in’ the decision taking into account the panel’s advice. 

The Fast-track team provides administrative support to the panel. We are not involved in the decision-making process for approvals.  

Substantive application for resource consents and other approvals 

Please contact the Fast-track team for access to the application portal. Before contacting the team, please make sure you’ve read about the process and confident you’re ready to apply.

Process overview

The Minister for Infrastructure can determine that a project is a priority project, either on their own initiative or if the applicant requests. This request must be made:

• after paying any outstanding fees or costs

• before making the substantive application.

Applicants can request priority by emailing contact@fasttrack.govt.nz. The Ministry for the Environment handles these requests.

Substantive application for resource consents and other approvals