Hunua Quarry development fast-tracked

The Infrastructure and Resources Ministers announced the 37th project approved under the Fast-track process, with Winstone Aggregates securing approval for the Hunua Quarry redevelopment. The application, lodged in March 2026, underwent a four-month review by an independent expert panel before receiving clearance. The expansion will deepen the Symonds Hill Pit to access additional high-quality greywacke, increasing peak production capacity to 5.4 million tonnes annually. The government highlighted the project’s role in addressing Auckland’s long-standing reliance on imported aggregate, which has driven up construction and infrastructure costs over the past 15 years.

Auckland’s housing and infrastructure sectors have faced rising costs due to aggregate shortages, with the government warning that delays in expanding local supply would further inflate expenses. The Hunua Quarry expansion, alongside two other approved projects, aims to stabilize supply and reduce dependence on external sources. Without the redevelopment, the quarry’s approved rock supply was projected to deplete by 2039, threatening ongoing material availability. The Ministers emphasized the need for reliable local supply to support construction and infrastructure development across the region.

The expert panel concluded that the project would deliver significant benefits by enhancing material supply reliability and utilizing an existing quarry with a century-long operational history. Approval was granted subject to conditions addressing concerns about increased truck traffic on Hunua Road and other local routes. Additional safeguards were imposed to protect surrounding land, natural features, and the area’s visual character, ensuring environmental and community impacts were minimized.

Resources Minister Shane Jones stated that the three quarry expansions would reduce the need to source aggregate from outside the region, lowering costs and emissions while easing heavy traffic on major roads. The government underscored the broader economic importance of quarrying, noting its role in supplying materials for housing, infrastructure, and employment across New Zealand. The approvals align with efforts to address the national housing and infrastructure deficit while maintaining environmental and traffic management standards.