OCEANIA

Reclamation bill pleases ports

16 years ago

Legislation to return New Zealand ports to their pre-2004 status – when they were granted a fee simple title on land created as a result of reclamation – has been applauded by the country’s 15-member port company chief executive group.

Replacing the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004, the Marine and Coastal Area Bill currently before Parliament will abolish the current practice of the Crown taking ownership of such land and granting ports with 50-year leases renewable in perpetuity.