Public Works Act Advisory

The Public Works Act 1981 (PWA) is the legislation that allows the Government, councils, and other authorised agencies to acquire private land for projects that serve the public such as roads, railways, flood protection works, and other essential infrastructure.

While the Act gives these agencies strong powers, it also sets out important rights and protections for landowners.

In recent history, the building of new roads and expressways is the most common kind of public works that we’ve given advice on. Sometimes the road is proposed to go right through a property, and sometimes it’s on the boundary. Either way, it can cause great disruption to a landowner’s plans for their plot. The PWA dictates that landowners are entitled to fair representation by a knowledgeable representative (eg. Land Matters) and that the cost of this representation will be covered by the Public Agency. Our advice? Get our advice.

If your land is affected, here’s what it means for you:

• Your land may be taken – Sometimes only part of a property is needed, other times it’s the whole section.

• You’ll need to negotiate – The agency will ask you to agree on a price and terms.

• You’re entitled to compensation – This usually covers:

  • The value of the land they take

  • Any drop in value to the land you keep

  • Extra costs you face, like moving or lost income

  • Professional advice (lawyers, valuers, planners) to help you through the process – these are paid for by the agency.

• But not your time – The PWA does not pay you for the time and stress of trying to handle it all yourself. That’s why having experts like us on your side makes such a difference.

How We Help

At Land Matters, we deal with the PWA every day. We make sure you’re treated fairly, your rights are protected, and you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to — without it costing you.

Get the Right Representation – Without the Cost Falling on You

When a public agency wants to acquire your land, they are required to cover the cost of professional representation, including our services at Land Matters.

What they don’t cover is the time you spend trying to handle it yourself. Every hour you spend on paperwork or negotiations is unpaid. Why carry that burden when our team does this every day, with proven results?

At Land Matters, we’ll guide and consult with you throughout the entire process, making sure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.

We’ve successfully represented landowners on some of New Zealand’s largest infrastructure projects, including:

• Transmission Gully

• M2PP Expressway

• PP20 Expressway

• O2NL Expressway

• SH58 Safety Upgrade

• GWRC Riverlink Project

• Wairoa River Flood Control Programme (Hawke’s Bay Regional Council)

Your time isn’t recognised, but our expertise is. Ready to protect your interests? Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.