Northwest Busway – Public Works Compensation

The Northwest Rapid Transit project, now known as Te Ara Hauāuru – Northwest Busway, will provide a busway alongside State Highway 16, similar to the Northern Busway.

The Busway will include a park and ride facility and station at Brigham Creek, and stations at Westgate, Royal Road, Lincoln Rd, Te Atatū, Point Chevalier and Western Springs.

NZTA will be seeking statutory approvals for the project via the Fast-track Approvals Act.

NZTA will need to acquire land from property owners adjacent to the Busway route to enable the project to proceed. As a first step, it intends to lodge Notices of Requirement to designate the project corridor in late 2025.

Property owners whose land is affected by the Notice of Requirement are entitled to apply to the Environment Court for an early acquisition under the Resource Management Act, together with compensation under the Public Works Act.

The Busway is a “critical infrastructure project”, as listed in Schedule 2A of the Public Works (Critical Infrastructure) Amendment Act, so in addition to claiming compensation for the unaffected full market value of the land and costs of moving:

• Property owners who obtain an order for early acquisition are entitled to claim a recognition payment (5% of the value of the land capped at $92,000).

• Property owners who sell to NZTA without it having to take formal steps, when the land is required for the project, may claim the recognition payment of up to $92,000 and an incentive payment (15% of the value of the land capped at $150,000).

Grimshaw & Co Lawyers are experts in Public Works Act compensation and applications for early acquisitions. If you are affected by the Northern Busway, feel free to contact us for specialist advice on the compensation available and your acquisition options.