A 60.4-hectare industrial subdivision led by Ngāi Tahu Property has been approved through the government’s Fast-track process, Ministers Chris Bishop and Shane Jones said today.

The Pound Road development will carve up land northwest of Pound Road and east of Barters Road into lots ranging from about 2,000 square metres to 1.5 hectares. About 50 lots are planned for the first stage, with 84 across the full site. The project is aimed at “dry” industrial uses — light manufacturing, warehousing and logistics — and includes developer-provided roads, landscaping and three-waters services.

Ngāi Tahu Property Development Holdings lodged its substantive application in July 2025. The expert panel’s decision took roughly seven months from commencement, including around three months when the process was suspended. The approval grants consents under the Resource Management Act 1991 and an approval under the Wildlife Act 1953, subject to conditions. The statement did not detail those conditions or a construction start date.

The ministers said construction activity is expected to contribute $451 million to the economy, with businesses on the site generating “hundreds of millions” more once operating. No job numbers were provided.

This is the 20th project approved by Fast-track expert panels, and the seventh in the South Island. Officials say decisions on substantive applications have taken an average of 117 working days once applications are deemed complete. According to the government, 45 projects are currently progressing through the Fast-track pathway, and 149 are listed in the legislation’s schedule, meaning they can apply.