Offshore Renewables: Planning for Engagement From the Start

Aotearoa New Zealand’s first offshore renewable energy feasibility permit application round opened on 19 October 2026. Under the new regulatory framework, developers must consult relevant Māori groups with rights and interests before submitting an application.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has published guidance explaining how consultation fits into the permitting process, including responsibilities before an application is submitted and throughout the life of a permit.

The current round covers proposed developments offshore Taranaki and offshore Waikato/South Auckland. Applications close on 19 April 2027.

Engagement before applications

Under the Offshore Renewable Energy Act 2026, developers must consult relevant Māori groups with rights and interests in their proposed development area before applying for a feasibility permit.

These may include iwi authorities, hapū, Treaty settlement entities and groups holding customary rights.

Applicants must document the consultation undertaken and explain how it has informed their proposed development.

MBIE’s guidance encourages developers to begin preparing early, allowing sufficient time for meaningful engagement and consideration of potential impacts on Māori rights and interests.

For engagement professionals, this creates a practical planning responsibility: identify the relevant groups, understand the consultation requirements and allow time for engagement before application documents are finalised.

Responsibilities continue beyond an application

Engagement responsibilities do not end when a feasibility permit application is submitted.

During the assessment process, MBIE will consult relevant Māori groups on behalf of the Minister for Energy. Public consultation on proposed developments will also take place, with both processes expected around mid-2027.

If a feasibility permit is granted, developers must continue engaging with relevant Māori groups throughout the permit period.

Under the conditions for the current round, permit holders must also provide annual reports on their engagement with relevant iwi and hapū. Draft reports must be shared with those groups for comment before submission.

A feasibility permit allows developers to investigate the viability of a proposed development. A commercial permit and other applicable consents are required before construction and operation can proceed.

What practitioners can take from the guidance

For professionals supporting offshore renewable energy proposals, MBIE’s guidance provides a starting point for mapping engagement responsibilities across the project lifecycle.

It raises several practical planning questions:

• Have relevant Māori groups with rights and interests in the proposed area been identified?
• Is enough time allocated for consultation before applications are finalised?
• How will consultation activities, feedback and outcomes be documented?
• What arrangements will support ongoing relationships and reporting if a permit is granted?

Understanding these requirements early can help practitioners advise project teams on the time, resources and continuity their engagement approach will need.

The guidance also reinforces the importance of distinguishing consultation required at different stages of the permitting process, rather than treating engagement as a single activity.

Explore MBIE’s guidance on engaging with Māori groups with rights and interests