Information regarding the fast-track application for the Waihi North project by Oceana Gold Limited

Details of the request

REQUEST UNDER THE OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT 1982 – WAIHI NORTH FAST TRACK APPLICATION

1. This is a request under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) in respect of the application by Oceana Gold (New Zealand) Limited (Oceana) for its Waihi North project. Media reports state that Oceana has now lodged its application for fast track approvals (Substantive Application).
2. We have reviewed the information on the Ministry’s website,1 and the redacted listing application documents disclosed in respect of Oceana Gold seeking to have the Waihi North project to be listed in Schedule 2 to the Fast-Track Approvals Act 2024 (FTAA).
3. In addition to the documents disclosed about that project, we request:
   1. The staging information on the Listing Application (“Describe the staging of the project, including the nature and timing of the staging”) is redacted on the basis of s 9(2)(b)(ii) of the OIA. While financial details may be commercially sensitive, it is unclear why these aspects of the project are commercially sensitive in a manner that justifies them being withheld. Please provide the staging information.
   2. Any records of communications with Oceana Gold or its representatives relating to its Listing Application prior to its lodgement (on 3 May 2024).
   3. Any records of the assessment by the EPA of the Listing Application against the original resource consent application lodged with the Hauraki District Council (in June 2022).
   4. The documents comprising the Substantive Application.
   5. Any records of communications with Oceana Gold or its representatives relating to its Substantive Application prior to its lodgement.
   6. Documents recording any policies and procedures for the purposes of:
      1. managing conflicts of interest that potential appointees to panels for the purposes of substantive FTAA applications;
      2. the appointment of members to panels under Schedule 3 of the FTAA, including to ensure that the members satisfy cl 7(1) of Schedule 3;
      3. the appointment of special and technical advisers to panels under cl 10(2) and cl 10(3) of Schedule 3;
      4. giving guidance to panels as to decision-making; and
      5. the keeping of a full record of panel proceedings under cl 10(5) of Schedule 3.
   7. The identity of the panel members for the Substantive Application. 
   8. Any records of communications between the panel convener or any panel members and Oceana Gold.
   9. Any records of consideration by the EPA or the panel of the persons from whom comments will be sought under s 53 of the FTAA.
   10. Any records of comments by persons identified under s 53 of the FTAA, whenever received.
4. We look forward to hearing from you as soon as reasonably practicable, and within no later than 20 working days.

oia@mfe.govt.nz