Novelist Patricia Grace is continuing her fight against the seizure of her ancestral land for a major expressway in the Kapiti Coast, this time in the Environment Court.
Grace was at the hearing in Wellington on Monday to object to the Transport Agency taking part of her Waikanae land under the Public Works Act for the Kapiti Expressway.
Just days ago, the Maori Land Court recommended Ms Grace's land be given special Maori Reservation status which, if classified by a government department, can not be transferred to the Crown.
Lawyer Leo Watson said that special status was not binding on the Environment Court but he was arguing the court consider it anyway, and stop the land from being taken.
Grace said the land had cultural and historical significance and she hoped her objection to the Crown acquisition would be successful.
The hearing continues on Tuesday.
