2/02/2024
Marcus Cook
[FYI request #25183 email]
Tēnā koe Marcus
OIA: 1320408 - Update on Kumeu Col ege site acquisition
Thank you for your email on 24 January 2023 to the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) requesting
the following information:
Further to my previous request, duly answered: https://fyi.org.nz/request/24233-further-
kumeu-college-site-acquisition-update#incoming-91519
1) Could you please provide an update on the site acquisition process. I understand
specific details wil be withheld under S9(2)(j).
2) Further, in light of the fact that negotiations have been reportedly "in progress" for some
considerable time, could you advise whether or not the Ministry has considered compulsory
acquisition under the PWA, and if not, why not?
Your request has been considered under the Of icial Information Act 1982 (the Act). We have
numbered your request for clarity.
In response to
part one of the request, as mentioned in the previous request, the Ministry is
currently in discussions with the owners of the preferred site. I can advise that the negotiation is
still ongoing with no update regarding site acquisition.
In response to
part two of the request, the Minister, as a requiring authority, can seek to use
compulsory acquisition of land for education purposes through the provisions of the Public Works
Act 1981. The Ministry’s property team considers the most appropriate negotiation strategy for a
given project based on a number of factors, including land options available, owner interest in
selling and timing of the requirement. The large majority of land purchases are achieved by the
Ministry without the use of compulsory acquisition. The Minister reserves the right to utilise those
provisions if necessary and suitable. It would not be appropriate for the Ministry to comment on
whether the education requirement in Kumeu is a candidate for compulsory acquisition.
Thank you again for your email.
Wellington National Office, 1 The Terrace, Levels 5 to 14, Wellington 6011
PO Box 1666, Wel ington 6140, DX SR51201 Phone: +64 4 463 8000
Please note, we may publish this response on our website after five working days. Your name and
contact details wil be removed.
Nāku noa, nā
Sam Fowler
Head of Property
Te Pou Hanganga, Matihiko | Infrastructure and Digital
