5. Question No. 5—Land InformationTEANAU TUIONO (Green) to the Minister for Land InformationQuestion No. 5—Land Information5. TEANAU TUIONO (Green) to the Minister for Land Information: Does he think it is acceptable that the Public Works Act continues to allow compulsory acquisition of Māori land; if not when will Māori land be fully protected? Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister for Land Information): To the first part of the question: yes. However I would note to the member that compulsory acquisition of land under the Public Works Act is only ever the final step in a lengthy acquisition process. For Māori land specifically the Crown recognises the special significance of Māori freehold land and always looks to employ methods other than compulsory acquisition. Compulsory acquisition is a tool to be used when the situation requires it and without compulsory acquisition significant infrastructure like roads railways and schools simply would not happen. Teanau Tuiono: What work if any has LINZ done on preventing compulsory acquisition on Māori land?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: There's been considerable work under way to consider the issues of Māori land the views of Māori landowners and to ensure that acquisition of Māori land does not occur when it is not necessary. We are aware of the issue we're working through it very carefully. But I'll remind the member again: it only ever occurs if a greater good of a public asset is required for all New Zealanders.Teanau Tuiono: How much Māori land has been compulsorily acquired since the Public Works Act was passed in 1981?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: I'm afraid I don't have that total area. I'm quite happy to answer that question if you'd like to send it to me in written form.Teanau Tuiono: Why are there no central records of Māori land taken through compulsory acquisition?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: I'm sure there are. It's just that I don't have the information with me here now.Hon David Parker: Can the Minister confirm that in recent years a transmission line was put through in the Northland area on private land that those that were subject to compulsory acquisition asserted it should go through Māori land instead that the Crown supported the original position and the court upheld the fact that it shouldn't go through Māori land thereby showing that the Crown is actively protecting Māori interests?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: I will confirm that and say that the Government is very sensitive to the complex issue of Māori land and the ownership of that. Should acquisition ever occur it's only at the end of a very long process involving extensive consultation with all landowners particularly if they're Māori landowners.Teanau Tuiono: Will he direct LINZ to pick up the work programme signalled by Minister Mahuta in late 2019 to address issues with public works acquisitions of Māori land?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: I know there's been a lot of cross-agency discussion on this issue and I know that that work that was undertaken has progressed. At this stage the one thing that Government has been concerned about is to ensure that the rights of Māori land owners is not overruled. But at the end of the day should acquisition of any of that land occur it's only for significant public assets and infrastructure that we all need to exist as a country.Teanau Tuiono: Does he have confidence that all surplus land previously taken for public works is being returned to Māori land owners without financial disadvantage under current processes?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: I am aware that the offer-back process is a very robust open and transparent one. I have no doubt that everyone is doing their very best to ensure the rights of all landowners particularly Māori are upheld through that process. It's complex sometimes lengthy but I have no reason to believe that there are any injustices being imposed upon any Māori land owners.