Mō ngā awa te aroha, he waiaroha — For the love of rivers
The Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 creates an accelerated consent pathway for major development projects. Selected projects skip key steps of the normal Resource Management Act process. There is no public notification, no right to make formal submissions, no automatic hearings, and appeals are limited to points of law.
Instead, a project can be referred to an Expert Consenting Panel. The panel must give greater weight to a project’s benefits, such as energy supply or economic development, than to its environmental or recreational effects. Once a project is listed or referred, it is much harder to stop than under the standard process.
Projects that affect rivers, such as dams, diversions and flow changes, can now be approved quickly, with less public input and weaker recreational protection. Projects that were previously declined can also reapply through the referral process.
As a recognised national body, Whitewater NZ is more likely to be treated as a directly affected party when whitewater is at risk. That can earn us a place at the table, but only if the panel chooses to engage with us, and sometimes only after hard negotiation. Our standing, and our ability to act on it, comes directly from our membership.
We can only act on what we know. If you hear of a project that could affect a river and are unsure if we’re aware of it, tell us through the access form or, even better, by email contact: communcations@whitewater.nz
For where specific fast-track projects stand right now, see our most recent news updates and social channels.
Become a member to strengthen our voice when it matters most.
Through Fast Track, a resource consent renewal for the Tekapo Power Scheme was passed without altering impacts to recreational oppotunities on the Tekapo Whitewater Course
Through Fast Track, a resource consent renewal for the Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme was passed without altering impacts to recreational oppotunities on the Wairoa River
A resource consent renewal for the Wheao Hydro-Electric Power Scheme could impact the Rangitaiki River (Jeffs Joy)
Through Fast Track, Westpower has aquired approval to build a hydro scheme that will impact Morgan Gorge
The Lower Gorges of the Kaituna River are under threat of damming
The river may be impacted by a proposed flow control regime
