We’re delighted to congratulate our client OceanaGold on securing Fast-track approval for the Waihi North mining project, which is the first major mining project to gain consent through New Zealand's Fast-track approvals process.

Announced yesterday by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Resources Minister Shane Jones, the approval represents a significant milestone for both OceanaGold and the Waikato region.

The consent allows OceanaGold to expand its existing gold and silver mining operations at Waihi, extending operations from the original 2030 expiry date through to 2043.

Sally McKechnie, Partner at Simpson Grierson says: "This approval demonstrates the effectiveness of the Fast-track approvals process in facilitating nationally significant infrastructure and development projects.

“The ability to streamline multiple consents, permits and authorisations through a single process delivered certainty for OceanaGold in just 112 working days. Without the Fast-track consenting regime, it would traditionally have taken many years and involved a range of different decision makers," explains Sally.

The project is expected to generate $5.2 billion in additional silver and gold exports over its 18-year life, approximately $286 million per year, and will support around 800 jobs in the Hauraki District and beyond.

The Waihi North Project application, lodged in April 2025, sought environmental, wildlife, heritage and access permissions to establish new open pit and underground mines, and tailings and rock storage areas across several sites.

Simpson Grierson has been proud to support OceanaGold through this significant project, and we look forward to seeing the substantial economic benefits it will deliver for the Waikato region and Aotearoa.

To find out more about the Fast-track approvals process and whether it could suit your business, contact one of our team today.

For more information about Fast-track, read our quick guide: Fast-track enters overdrive: A quick guide to the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill.