Critical infrastructure amendments to Public Works Act

Critical infrastructure projects will get underway faster following introduction of an accelerated process to acquire land for public works.  

The Public Works (Critical Infrastructure) Amendments Bill had its third reading on 21 August 2025. It will speed up land acquisition for certain critical public works projects and ensure landowners are fairly compensated.  

Once the Bill is enacted, the changes will accelerate the acquisition of land needed for public works projects that will be listed in Schedule 2A of the Public Works Act. These are based on projects listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act and the Roads of National Significance listed in the Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024.  

Key changes for critical infrastructure projects include:

• incentive and recognition payments for landowners
• streamlining the process for objection to land acquisition so landowners go directly to the relevant decision-maker rather than the Environment Court
• requirement for designation to be in place or applied for, or resource consents obtained, for the project before land is compulsory acquired under the accelerated process
• an opt-out clause for agencies to use the standard PWA process
• transitional provisions allowing the accelerated process to be applied where critical infrastructure project negotiations are already underway.  

Protected Māori land, as defined under the PWA, cannot be acquired under the accelerated process for critical infrastructure.  

Read more about the critical infrastructure amendments to the PWA

Public Works Act Review

Legislation with wider proposed amendments to the PWA is expected to be introduced to Parliament later this year. The public will have the opportunity to give feedback through the select committee process.  

Read more about the PWA review