Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has released a factsheet providing information on changes to the Public Works Act 1981 which raised the level of compensation available to landowners whose land is acquired for a public work.

From 19 April 2017, the level of additional compensation has increased. If a property is acquired for a public work, the landowner will receive up to $50,000 as additional compensation if the land includes their home. This was previously set at $2,000.

If the property doesn't include their home, landowners could still receive up to 10% of the value of the land acquired as additional compensation, up to $25,000. This is a new payment which has not existed in the past.

The change was made by the Resource Management Legislation Amendment Act 2017 which made amendments to the Public Works Act. This followed a review of the Act and Cabinet agreement in June 2013 to amend it to improve the fairness of the acquisition and compensation process.