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Public Works Act 1981

Summary of changes

These summaries explain recent changes to the law. They are generated by AI comparing versions of the legislation, so they might oversimplify, miss details, or get things wrong. Learn more about how we track these changes.

14 May 2025

  • The definitions of 'aerodrome' and 'airport authority' have been repealed from the interpretation section
  • The reference to 'an airport authority' has been removed from the list of persons or bodies having authority to undertake public works

Affected provisions

  1. 2: Interpretation
    The definitions of 'aerodrome' and 'airport authority' have been repealed from the interpretation section; The reference to 'an airport authority' has been removed from the list of persons or bodies having authority to undertake public works

10 September 2025

  • Definitions in section 2 have been updated to include a water service provider and critical infrastructure project
  • Compensation determination under section 72A is now subject to certain conditions for specific persons
  • Transitional provisions for critical infrastructure projects have been added to Schedule 1AA

Affected provisions

  1. 1AA: Transitional, savings, and related provisions
    Transitional provisions for critical infrastructure projects have been added to Schedule 1AA
  2. 2: Interpretation
    Definitions in section 2 have been updated to include a water service provider and critical infrastructure project
  3. 72A: Amount of compensation to be paid under section 72
    Compensation determination under section 72A is now subject to certain conditions for specific persons

29 October 2025

  • The definition of local authority has been amended to include a polytechnic
  • The definition of public work has been updated to refer to a university, polytechnic, or wānanga

Affected provisions

  1. 2: Interpretation
    The definition of local authority has been amended to include a polytechnic; The definition of public work has been updated to refer to a university, polytechnic, or wānanga

15 January 2026

  • The definition of a local authority and public work has been updated to remove references to polytechnics
  • A correction has been made to the reference to the section under which notice of an intention to take land for a critical infrastructure project is given and served

Affected provisions

  1. 2: Interpretation
    The definition of a local authority and public work has been updated to remove references to polytechnics
  2. 39AAJ: When Proclamation may issue
    A correction has been made to the reference to the section under which notice of an intention to take land for a critical infrastructure project is given and served