The Public Works Act review

In June 2024, the Government initiated an eight-week targeted review of the PWA, to look at ways to make the land acquisition, objections and compensation functions of the PWA more efficient, effective and clear to help make it easier to build public infrastructure projects.

Review focus

The review focused on:

  • Efficiency – improving processes and removing unnecessary duplication in the PWA.
  • Effectiveness – ensuring the PWA is workable, fit for purpose and realises the Crown's ability to undertake public works.
  • Clarity – providing transparency and certainty for those using and affected by PWA processes.

The review aimed to ensure due process is taken to maintain property rights and natural justice for all affected parties, and that any proposed changes to the PWA are consistent with existing legal obligations under Treaty of Waitangi settlements.

Expert advisory panel appointed

An expert advisory panel was appointed by the Chief Executive of LINZ, as the agency responsible for administering the PWA.

Charlotte von Dadelszen chaired the five-member group. Also appointed were Spencer Webster, Paul Cassin, James Clareburt, and Pat Dougherty.

The panel convened from July to September 2024.

Expert advisory panel’s advice paper  

The Panel provided independent specialist advice on potential reforms to the PWA that would better facilitate infrastructure delivery, while retaining the fundamental principles of the Act.  This advice fed into proposed reforms.  

You can find out more about the work the expert advisory panel was asked to do, who was appointed and what they found: