Project record

Tauranga Stella Passage phased marine development

Participation
Not assessed
Project facts checked

Conditional approval issued; three appeals and two judicial-review applications reported

Project sources

Stella Passage retains conditional approval for staged berth extensions, reclamation and dredging. Port of Tauranga reported three appeals and two judicial-review applications on 13 October and continues to seek an urgent combined hearing. The development connects new quay frontage with terminal-equipment readiness.

Stella Passage approved extension scope: 385 m at Sulphur Point in two stages and 315 m at Mount Maunganui, with three appeals and two judicial reviews reported against the approval.

IMWO original Stella Passage scope and proceedings diagram based on Port of Tauranga disclosures

Location

New Zealand / Asia Pacific

Segment

Marine infrastructure

Phase

Planning / Confirmed

Last checked

30 October 2026

Coverage

Related sectors

Marine infrastructure is the primary work classification. Related sectors connect this record to adjacent marine delivery and market coverage.

Subject index

Related subjects

These subject pages bring together related projects, technical articles, reports, and evidence methods.

Project anatomy

Contract scope and delivery roles

Client / authority
Port of Tauranga Limited
Delivery parties
Construction appointment not disclosed in approval announcements
Contract route
Owner-led marine development following fast-track panel approval. A construction contractor appointment or dredging subcontract award is not disclosed in the approval announcements.
Execution window
The panel decision was dated 4 September and issued on 7 September 2026. The owner reported legal challenges on 13 October and was still seeking confirmation of an urgent hearing date in its 29 October chair's speech. Separately, the second stage of current capital dredging is under way, with completion expected around mid-2027.
Works package
Sulphur Point container-berth extension of 385 metres in two stages, a separate Mount Maunganui wharf extension of 315 metres, reclamation, cranes, capital dredging and maintenance dredging under the issued conditions.
Marine interfaces
Campaign methodology, cultural engagement, navigation notification and disposal authorisations connect dredging to berth and reclamation development. The chair's 29 October account also links the new container berth to two planned blocks of nine electric automated stacking cranes, with system design, operational readiness and vendor contracting continuing.
Commercial evidence boundary
The scope defines a marine development opportunity but does not identify the appointed contractor, selected dredger, package price or a verified start. Capacity benefits announced by government remain forecasts.

Contract and delivery chain

Work packages and named roles

Published scope, named parties and supporting evidence for each workstream.

Berth development

Sulphur Point and Mount Maunganui extensions

Named party
Port of Tauranga Limited
Evidence status
Confirmed
Source position
Original decision defines the separate extensions and staged Sulphur Point scope, not completed berth lengths. Source
Dredging

Campaign planning and completion reporting

Named party
Port of Tauranga Limited
Evidence status
Confirmed
Source position
Original issued conditions require campaign management, notifications and subsequent completion reporting; contractor and mobilisation remain unconfirmed. Source

Evidence gap

What remains unverified

Outstanding evidence

  • Hearing arrangements and the disposition of the disclosed proceedings
  • Staged marine procurement and contractor appointment
  • Campaign plan certification, navigation notices and cultural-monitoring arrangements
  • New berth and automated-stacking-crane readiness
  • Completed quantities and bathymetric survey records

Reporting status

Project phase
Planning
Evidence confidence
Confirmed
Last checked
30 October 2026
Cited sources
8

Sources and related records

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Project sources 8