📋 Faster compulsory land acquisition for public works
← All policiesSpeeds up how the Government and other public works agencies can compulsorily acquire land for infrastructure projects under the Public Works Act 1981 - fewer information/negotiation steps, and changes to objection proceedings including requiring objectors to state specific grounds. It also increases compensation: a new 10% incentive payment for agreeing early, and higher home-loss and land-loss payments.
This is the second tranche of Public Works Act reforms - the first (not separately tagged here) enabled faster acquisition specifically for "critical infrastructure".
How each party has stood on this policy over time. On a 🔄 Aye = against vote, whoever voted Aye is shown as opposing the policy, not supporting it. 🙋 Conscience vote rows show which way most of that party's MPs voted, plus what % voted Aye in the House.
| Vote | National | Labour | Green | ACT | NZ First | Te Pāti Māori |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Public Works Amendment Bill
✓ Passed
15 Sep 2026
· Third reading
|
✓ Supports | ✕ Opposes | ✕ Opposes | ✓ Supports | ✓ Supports | ✕ Opposes |
|
Public Works Amendment Bill
✓ Passed
15 Sep 2026
· Second reading
|
✓ Supports | ✓ Supports | ✕ Opposes | ✓ Supports | ✓ Supports | ✕ Opposes |
|
Public Works Amendment Bill
✓ Passed
9 Dec 2025
· First reading
|
✓ Supports | ✓ Supports | ✕ Opposes | ✓ Supports | ✓ Supports | ✕ Opposes |