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Public Works Act 1981

Acquisition or taking of land for critical infrastructure projects - Exceptions to when this Part applies

39AAD: Exception for protected Māori land

You could also call this:

"Some Māori land is protected and can't be taken for projects, even if they're really important."

Illustration for Public Works Act 1981

If you are looking at land that is protected for Māori, this Part of the law does not apply when the Minister or a local authority needs to take that land for a critical infrastructure project. You should know that this rule is about protected Māori land being used for important projects. The law was changed by the Public Works (Critical Infrastructure) Amendment Act 2025 to include this exception.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1498088.

Topics:
Housing and property > Land useMāori affairs > Māori land
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39AAC: When this Part applies, or

"When the government needs land for a big project, this part of the law applies."

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39AAE: Exception if Part 2 process preferable in circumstances, or

"Using a different process to acquire land for a big project if it's faster or cheaper"

Part 2AAcquisition or taking of land for critical infrastructure projects
Exceptions to when this Part applies

39AADException for protected Māori land

  1. To the extent that any protected Māori land is required for a critical infrastructure project, this Part does not apply to the acquiring or taking of that land by the Minister or a local authority.

Notes
  • Section 39AAD: inserted, on , by section 5 of the Public Works (Critical Infrastructure) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 46).