Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Public Works Act 1981

Acquisition of land for public works - Acquisition by agreement

21: Land may be purchased or improved for granting as compensation

You could also call this:

“Government can buy or fix up land to give as payment when they need your property”

The law says that certain government agencies can buy land or improve land they already own. They can do this to give the land (or part of it) to someone as payment. This happens when the government needs to take someone’s land for a public project. Instead of giving money, they can give the person new land or improved land as compensation. The agency can even build buildings on this land before giving it to the person. This is a way to make up for taking someone’s property for public use.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on 19 March 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM45789.

20: Declaration may give effect to agreement, or

"The government can make an agreement to use someone's land official with a simple declaration"

22: Only land required for essential works may be compulsorily taken, or

"This rule about taking land for important projects no longer exists"

Part 2 Acquisition of land for public works
Acquisition by agreement

21Land may be purchased or improved for granting as compensation

Any notifying authority, as defined in section 59, may acquire any land under section 17 and develop and construct buildings on such land or on any other land owned by the notifying authority for the purpose of granting the land or any part of it in payment or satisfaction or in part payment or part satisfaction of the compensation payable to the person entitled for any land taken, purchased, or acquired for or in connection with a public work.

Compare

1928 No 21 s 32A
1976 No 165 s 2