Key statutory bodies

Administering agency 

The administering agency is the chief executive of a department that is responsible for administering a specified Act.

Responsible agency 

The responsible agency is the Secretary for the Environment.

 The responsible agency is in charge of:

•    Approving the form for referral applications db1e2f1f-6eac-4d9f-a6c3-d3344b3a504b
•    Setting the lodgment process for referral applications 4b1bacf1-8be4-45d8-9b28-359a42ef2be3

Minister

The Minister is the Minister for Infrastructure.  

Environmental Protection Authority 

The Environmental Protection Authority plays a secretariat role under the Act. It does the panel’s bidding in terms of managing the processing of a substantive application. 

The Environmental Protection Authority may make administrative decisions that are incidental or ancillary to the conduct of a panel. c655264a-3a17-474f-ac7f-c76f828be061 In performing and exercising its functions, duties, and powers under the Act, the Environmental Protection Authority must, as far as is reasonably practicable, minimise costs and avoid delay.  

Panel convener

The panel convener is appointed by the Minister and is either a former Environment or High Court Judge or a senior lawyer with expertise in resource management.The Minister can also appoint one or more associate panel conveners.  

The panel convener is responsible for appointing a panel to hear an application, including the panel chairperson. When appointing members the panel convener may, at their discretion, consult with the Minister and/or, in the case of a marine consent, the Environmental Protection Authority. 39cbda4d-5644-4fd9-b393-c019b126308e

Panel 

A panel considers and makes decisions on approvals sought in substantive applications. b05083c3-e1f6-40a5-bbd0-30c2044ea365

Panels can consist of up to 4 members appointed by the panel convener,  but this number can be increased in limited circumstances. c91e9df7-d464-4501-83cd-6bb729dabf16

The panel must include 1 person nominated by the local authority or, if no one is nominated, someone with appropriate skills and experience.  At least 1 member must have an understanding of te ao Māori and Māori development. 

Collectively, the panel must have knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the approvals sought in the substantive application and expertise in environmental matters. 

Every panel has a chairperson who is either a lawyer, a planner with experience in relevant law or someone accredited under s39A of the Resource Management Act 1991. 

  1. Fast-track Approvals Act, Schedule 3, cl 3(2)

  2. Fast-track Approvals Act, s 81

  3. Fast-track Approvals Act, s 92(1)

  4. Fast-track Approvals Act, Schedule 3, cl 3(7)

  5. Fast-track Approvals Act, s 13(2)(a) and s13(5)

  6. Fast-track Approvals Act, s 13(2)(a)

Last updated at 7:40PM on February 7, 2025