Port of Tauranga says a High Court decision dismissing an appeal against plans to deepen and widen Tauranga's harbour means that dredging will start next year to ensure access for bigger container ships.
At the end of last year, the Environment Court upheld a decision made by a panel of commissioners, to grant the Port of Tauranga consent to dredge the harbour.
Local iwi and hapu - including Ngati Ruahine - lodged an appeal in the High Court against the Environment Court decision, but that has now been dismissed.
The judge's reserved judgement was released on Tuesday after a two day hearing was held in the High Court last month.
Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns says the first stage of the $80 million project should start late next year.
The country's largest export port wants to widen and deepen the harbour to a maximum depth of 17.4 metres to ensure access for bigger container ships.
