Stewart Island / Rakiura, Southland, in the South Island of New Zealand.
Photo: Adobe Stock.
New Zealand has approved Ngāi Tahu Seafood Resources Limited’s Hananui Aquaculture Project, clearing the way for a large-scale open-ocean salmon farm off Rakiura/Stewart Island.
The project is the first aquaculture development to receive approval through the country’s Fast-track process and the 31st project overall, according to the New Zealand Government. The expert panel granted the approvals on 10 August, subject to conditions.
The proposed development would cover a 2,500-hectare area of coastal waters between two and six kilometres off Stewart Island’s northern coastline. Plans include four separate marine farms, each comprising two blocks of around 10 circular net pens, as well as approximately five anchored barges.
Once fully operational, the development is projected to produce 14,400 tonnes of salmon a year and generate more than NZD 310 million (EUR 158 million/USD 183 million) in annual sales, according to Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. The Government estimates the project could create between 415 and 480 jobs in Southland.
“This is almost as much salmon as was produced by all of New Zealand’s salmon farms in 2025-2026,” Jones said in a news release.
Ngāi Tahu initially applied for consent under the Resource Management Act in 2019 before withdrawing the application. It subsequently applied through the COVID-19 fast-track consenting process in 2020, but, as reported at the time by WeAreAquaculture, that application was declined in August 2023 due to environmental concerns.
The latest application for the project was lodged by Ngāi Tahu Seafood in November 2025 and deemed complete on 17 December after being processed by the fast-track system, the government said.
“Alongside this approval, our planning reforms will further support Māori commercial aquaculture, including by making it easier for iwi to unlock the potential of Aquaculture Settlement Areas provided for under the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004, making the process easier, faster and more efficient,” said Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop.
The project forms part of the New Zealand Government’s plans to expand aquaculture, which include a target of NZD 3 billion in annual sector revenue by 2035.
Jones said large-scale open-ocean farming had been identified as one of the main elements of the Government’s Aquaculture Development Plan.
“The global appetite for our king salmon is extremely high, representing a massive opportunity for New Zealand. To take full advantage of it we need to increase supply to meet this demand, and the approval of Hananui is an incredibly positive step in this direction,” he said.
“Fast-track approval means these projects can proceed sooner, supporting jobs, regional growth, and export earnings, as well as New Zealand's position as a leader in sustainable seafood production,” Shane added.