Land Compensation Lawyers

Land Compensation – Public Works Act 1981

Warwick Wright and his team specialise in representing private landowners confronted with the trauma of losing their land or a part of their land because of proposed public infrastructure works or acquisitions for a school, hospital or other facilities required by government or local authorities. 

Recently many properties in the wider Auckland area have been impacted by Notices of Requirement and Designations for future public works; often many years in the future. Warwick provides advice and strategies as to landowner’s rights under the Resource Management Act 1991 for the early acquisition of properties and market value compensation.

Warwick provides competent professional advice to ensure landowners understand and receive their legal entitlement to full compensation under the Public Works Act 1981. The governing principle of compensation is the award of a monetary equivalent for what has been lost. The landowner is entitled to reimbursement of legal and other professional fees. Businesses are entitled to recover business losses. Warwick will negotiate with the authorities and guide the landowner through the processes which can sometimes be difficult and traumatic. Warwick’s experience will help to smooth out these processes.

He acts for a wide range of clients from major corporations through to family homeowners. He has had 40 years of experience. His experience includes public works such as roads, motorways, bus lanes, cycleways, rail, parks, schools, hospitals, public utility works such as wastewater.

Auckland Transport is continually acquiring or designating properties or street frontage land for road widening, roading realignment, cycleways and better pedestrian facilities.

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA, Waka Kotahi) is continually widening or realigning motorway and highway roading to improve traffic flow or to provide for cycleways. And developing new motorways. Warwick has acted for a number of landowners impacted by the Ministry of Education need to acquire land for new schools or expansion of existing schools. He can provide competent advice in this area also.

Frequently Asked Questions

Section 60(1) of the Public Works Act provides that affected landowners are entitled to monetary compensation to ensure they are left in the same position as before the acquisition. Full compensation is available for the full value of the land, disturbance, damage, business loss and relocation.

Reasonable legal fees are recoverable from the acquiring authority under the Public Works Act acquisition process. Your legal fees will be invoiced for payment by you on a monthly basis.

There is a statutory process for compensation. Telephone to discuss your rights.

Ideally, you should seek legal advice as soon as you become aware your property might be affected to ensure that due process is followed by the acquiring authority. However, you can seek legal advice at any part of the process.

Contact Warwick by email [email protected] or text +6427294 4102 for an initial free 15-minute legal consultation.

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Let Rainey Collins Wright be your trusted guide through your property transaction. Contact us for an initial consultation and experience the difference of our expertise, clear communication, and commitment to protect your interests.

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