What is the Fast-Track Approvals Act, Anyway?

What is the Fast-Track Approvals Act — and Why It’s Cause for Concern

The Fast-Track Approvals Act 2024 was introduced by the New Zealand Government to accelerate consents for infrastructure and development projects it deems “nationally significant.” But beneath the promise of efficiency lies a process that sidelines environmental protections, weakens public participation, and bypasses meaningful engagement with iwi and local communities.

How It Works — and What’s Missing

The Act creates a streamlined pathway for projects to bypass the usual checks and balances of the Resource Management Act and other key environmental laws. Projects can either be:

• Listed directly in the legislation, skipping the usual public input altogether, or

• Referred by Ministers, who have sweeping powers to decide whether a project gets fast-tracked — often behind closed doors.

Once accepted, an Expert Panel reviews the application, but unlike standard consenting processes, these panels operate with limited transparency, reduced environmental scrutiny, and no guaranteed right for communities or mana whenua to have their say. Public submissions may be allowed, but the process is rushed and controlled by ministers, not the courts or independent planning authorities.

What's at Stake

The Act can override up to seven key environmental and heritage laws, including the Conservation Act, Wildlife Act, and even Treaty-related statutes like the Reserves Act. This puts precious ecosystems, endangered species, wāhi tapu, and community spaces at risk — with no requirement for cultural impact assessments or engagement with tangata whenua unless the government chooses to allow it.

Critics — including environmental groups, iwi, and legal experts — warn the Act could lead to irreversible harm to Aotearoa’s landscapes and waterways, all in the name of economic development. With the public increasingly shut out of decisions that affect their environment, many fear the Act opens the door to unchecked development without democratic oversight.

Steps in the Fast-track Referral Process

1. Application Submission:

   • Project proponents submit an application detailing the project's scope, benefits, and compliance with eligibility criteria.

2. Ministerial Assessment:

   • The joint Ministers evaluate the application to determine if it meets the criteria for fast-tracking.

3. Referral to Expert Panel:

   • Eligible projects are referred to an Expert Panel comprising members with expertise in relevant fields.

4. Expert Panel Evaluation:

   • The panel assesses the project's merits, potential impacts, and compliance with relevant legislation.

5. Recommendation to Ministers:

   • The panel provides a recommendation to the joint Ministers on whether to approve or decline the project.

6. Final Decision:

   • The joint Ministers make the final decision, considering the panel's recommendation.