Further to reply 35745 (2026), will the Government now separately disclose section 185-related contingent liabilities in the Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand, given the scale of properties identified in reply 35761 (2026); if not, why not?

Answer

Treasury is responsible for determining the content of the Financial Statements of the Government, including whether contingent liabilities are separately disclosed. In general, a separate disclosure is required only where a contingent liability is financially material. Section 185 acquisitions arise when a property owner exercises their right to require NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) to purchase affected land. Based on advice from NZTA, section 185-related liabilities have not been assessed as financially material and therefore would not warrant separate disclosure.