09 June 2010
Auckland Airport welcomed the decision today by the Supreme Court to dismiss a Craigie Trust application for leave to appeal an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal’s decision in December 2009 had upheld an earlier High Court ruling in favour of Auckland Airport.
Auckland Airport has always been of the view that the claim is entirely without merit and the High Court, Court of Appeal and now Supreme Court decisions are wholly appropriate.
The decision means that Auckland Airport will continue to develop a modern and dynamic airport business district that will generate economic growth for Auckland and New Zealand.
The claim for land made by the Craigie Trust under the Public Works Act was originally heard before the High Court in March 2008. Following the dismissal of the claim by the High Court in June 2008, an appeal was heard by the Court of Appeal in September 2009. In its decision released in December 2009, the Court of Appeal dismissed the claim as the land is still required for a public work. Further, the Court of Appeal ruled that even if not required for a public work it would be unfair, unreasonable and impracticable to require the land to be offered back.