The Fast-Track Approvals Bill is proposed legislation meant to speed up consenting for major infrastructure and development projects while broader Resource Management Act reforms are underway. It bypasses standard checks and balances, limiting hearings and public input.
We oppose key elements of the Bill, recommending that final approvals shift from Ministers to an Expert Panel, that the panel include economic expertise, and that a sunset clause be introduced. We also call for clear protections distinguishing private projects from taxpayer-funded initiatives to safeguard property rights.
Without these safeguards, the Bill risks politicised decision-making, weak economic scrutiny, and government overreach onto private land. Properly designed, the legislation can accelerate development while protecting taxpayers, property rights, and rigorous cost-benefit analysis.
