Far North Mayor Wayne Brown says a government review of his council's consent process is too late to be of any use.
Environment Minister Nick Smith on Wednesday announced an investigation under the Resource Management Act, following a survey which found only 37% of Far North resource consents are being processed within the statutory time.
Mr Brown, himself a property developer, says there were lengthy delays in the development boom years of 2005 - 2007, which is one reason he ran for mayor.
He says the delays have now been resolved and last month's figures show 98% of resource consents were processed in time.