First Fast-track Housing Development Approved in Nelson: Maitahi Village Project

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones have welcomed news that the first housing development has received consent under the Fast-track Approvals Act.

The Maitahi Village housing development in Nelson lodged its application in February 2025 and has now been approved by an independent expert panel.

Minister Bishop says the Maitahi Village development is expected to deliver approximately 180 homes, including 50 Ngāti Koata iwi-led houses, a retirement village with 194 townhouses and 36 in-care units, and a commercial centre.

The development will provide much-needed housing and commercial infrastructure for the Nelson region.

It is a significant investment in the future of Nelson and is expected to inject up to $308 million into the local economy.

The Maitahi Village development is the second project to be approved through the Fast-track one-stop shop following the Port of Auckland wharf extension’s approval last month. I’m pleased to see the system starting to deliver approvals in these key areas to help address our significant infrastructure deficit and increase housing supply.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said he was looking forward to more regional housing developments reaching the approval stage, along with other regional projects in the pipeline.

I’m working with Minister Bishop on legislative changes to speed up the process and get projects under way faster.

For more information about the project: Maitahi Village | Fast-track website Notes to editor: Maitahi Village: CCKV Maitai Dev Co LP lodged a substantive application for the project on 19 February 2025.

The panel was appointed by panel convener Jane Borthwick and commenced on 12 May 2025.

The draft decision was issued by the panel on 19 August 2025.

The panel’s final decision can be appealed to the High Court on a question of law.

Panels make the decisions to approve or refuse consents and whether to impose conditions.

Fast-track projects to date: The Fast-track Approvals Act contains a list of 149 projects which, from 7 February, have been able to apply for consideration by an expert panel.

Projects not listed in the Act can also apply for referral into the Fast-track process.

Expert panels have been appointed for: Milldale Sunfield Masterplanned Community Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stage 1 and Stage 2 Waihi North Kings Quarry Expansion - Stage 2 Drury Quarry Expansion—Sutton Block Taranaki VTM Project Ryans Road Industrial Development Rangitoopuni Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents Homestead Bay Stella Passage Development Pound Road Industrial Development project 13 projects have now been referred into the Fast-track process by the Minister for Infrastructure: Ashbourne Auckland Surf Park Ayrburn Screen Hub Brymer Gordonton Country Estate Development Grampians Solar Project Southland Wind Farm The Point Mission Bay Twizel Solar Project Waipiro Marina Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project Lake Pukaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works Southern Link Inland Port