Environment Court commissioners will visit the land of author Patricia Grace as they decide whether it can be taken by the Crown for a major road.
Patricia Grace. Photo: RNZ / Leigh McLachlan
A two-day hearing at the Environment Court in Wellington, in which Grace is objecting to her Waikanae land being acquired under the Public Works Act for the Kapiti expressway, concluded on Tuesday.
The closing submission, on behalf of Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson, said taking 980 square metres of Ms Grace's land was fair and sound.
It said there was no Treaty of Waitangi clause in the act and other Maori land had been acquired for the expressway.
The court had been told it could cost the Transport Agency $16 million if it could not take Grace's land.
The Maori Land Court has recommended the site be given special protection for its cultural significance, descending from the Maori leader Wi Parata.
Commissioners will visit the site on Wednesday, and a decision will follow later.
