Waihi North mine wins fast-track approval, securing expansion of operations to 2043

According to Minister Jones, the traditional consenting route would have taken more than five years, involving multiple agencies and complex environmental, heritage, and wildlife assessments.

New Zealand’s first major mining project to undergo the new Fast-track consenting system—OceanaGold’s Waihi North Project—has officially been granted approval, allowing mining operations to extend until 2043. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Resources Minister Shane Jones announced the decision, highlighting its economic significance for both the Waikato region and the wider national economy.

A Milestone for the Fast-Track System

The Fast-track process, designed to streamline major project approvals by bringing all regulatory decisions into a single coordinated pathway, enabled the project to be approved in 112 working days. According to Minister Jones, the traditional consenting route would have taken more than five years, involving multiple agencies and complex environmental, heritage, and wildlife assessments.

Minister Bishop noted that the new system demonstrates the effectiveness of a “one-stop shop” approach:“A project of this scale and complexity requires numerous consents. The Fast-track process brings all these approvals together, ensuring major investments aren’t slowed by bureaucratic delays.”

Economic Benefits: $5.2 Billion in Exports

The Waihi North expansion is expected to generate $5.2 billion in additional gold and silver export earnings over its 18-year lifespan—equivalent to roughly $286 million per year.

Jones compared the export impact to some of New Zealand’s other major sectors:

• 64% of annual wool exports

• 14% of annual wine exports

“This is a substantial boost to New Zealand’s export profile,” he said, noting the country’s reliance on resource-based revenue to balance trade deficits.

Job Creation and Regional Development

The project is forecast to support around 800 well-paid jobs across the Hauraki District and surrounding communities. These roles will support local businesses, stimulate household spending, and contribute millions to the region’s economic output.

Strong Returns to the Crown

The expert panel concluded that the expansion will deliver a net present value of $422 million in Crown revenue through corporate tax, PAYE, and mineral royalties.

Minister Bishop said these funds will play a key role in bolstering essential public services:“That revenue will go towards meeting future healthcare, education and infrastructure needs—investments that benefit every New Zealander.”

Details of the Approved Expansion

OceanaGold submitted its application in April 2025, requesting a staged expansion of existing operations. Key components include:

• New open-pit and underground mines

• Additional tailings and rock storage facilities

• Environmental, heritage, wildlife and land-access permissions

• Expansion across multiple mining sites surrounding Waihi

The approval extends the company’s operational timeline 13 years beyond the original expiry of 2030, securing long-term employment, investment certainty, and continuous production in one of New Zealand’s most important mining districts.

Strategic Significance for New Zealand

The Waihi North approval marks a pivotal moment for New Zealand’s infrastructure and resources policy. As the first major project to clear the Fast-track system, it signals the government’s intention to accelerate nationally significant investments, particularly in export-driven and job-creating sectors.