Advocacy and Engagement Update June 2025
We may be in the depths of winter, but it’s heartening to know we’ve passed the shortest day and the halfway point of this Parliamentary term. The political calendar has marked the occasion with a reshuffle; Hon David Seymour has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister as part of the Coalition Government’s planned rotation of this responsibility.
Meanwhile, the Government’s legislative programme continues at pace, with significant implications for infrastructure. With New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit now well acknowledged, getting the system settings right is critical. Infrastructure New Zealand (INZ) plays an essential role in shaping these settings to support the delivery of infrastructure that our communities and businesses depend on.
Legislation and Other Submissions
Since the last edition of InfraRead, INZ has made a number of submissions on legislation and public consultations – all of which are available on our website here.
INZ submitted to the National Emergency Management Agency on its discussion document, This was an opportunity to provide an early voice on options to improve New Zealand’s overarching emergency management legislation and influence the design of the upcoming new Emergency Management Bill. INZ emphasised the importance of national coordination and long-term resilience planning. Given the increasing occurrence of severe weather and other natural emergency events, INZ again recommended the establishment of an Agency with a similar ongoing function to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
There have been several different consultations as part of the reform of the work-based education and training system and the dismantling of Te Pūkenga and a plan to re-establish independent regional polytechnics and support more industry-based training. INZ completed the online Tertiary Education Commission survey, which outlined the scope of the proposed new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) and sees a separation between the infrastructure and construction sectors. This month INZ has also submitted on the which establishes the new work-based training regime. INZ recommended strengthening the role of industry in governance and workforce planning and ensuring there is sustainable funding with good system oversight.
INZ supports long term infrastructure asset management, and it is great to see a growth in best practice in Aotearoa and a commitment to earlier planning, increased resilience and planned maintenance and replacement programmes. In an example of this work, INZ submitted in support of Transpower New Zealand ‘s proposal to which will enhance energy connectivity between the North and South Islands. The projected $1.4 billion investment for the project (proposed to begin in 2030) is to be user-funded over the 40-year life of the asset.
Along with the RMA reform changes to streamline processes, equally important is the ability to efficiently acquire the land needed for key public infrastructure. INZ was pleased to see the introduction of changes to land acquisition powers, albeit with a more targeted focus than a wholesale update of the Public Works Act 1981, which is still badly needed.
There is significant duplication between the Public Works Act and the Resource Management Act, which leads to project delays and greatly increases the cost of developing critical public infrastructure. INZ submitted on the Public Works (Critical Infrastructure) Amendment Bill, implementing changes to the Public Works Act. These changes provide for streamlining the objection process by moving this away from the Environment Court, the introduction of increased compensation payments as well as incentive payments to landowners for earlier settlement. These should help speed up land acquisition for those projects on Schedule 2 of the Fast-Track Approvals Act and the Roads of National Significance.
Over the last month or so, INZ has presented to several select committees in support of recent submissions including the Transport and Infrastructure Committee on the Public Works (Critical Infrastructure) Amendment Bill and the and the Justice Committee on the
Other Consultations
INZ was also invited to provide feedback on the Fast-track Approvals Draft Panel Guidance as part of a limited consultation exercise by the Environmental Protection Authority. We have also seen another milestone with the appointment of the expert advisory panels to hear the first three fast-track applications, including the Port of Auckland Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth extension project.
The Infrastructure Commission (InfraCom) released the first draft for consultation of the National Infrastructure Plan at their annual symposium held this month. This is a significant achievement and INZ was privileged to be part of the Quality Review Panel for this and appreciates the robust work that sits behinds this Plan and its recommendations. We encourage the sector to provide their feedback to InfraCom by the closing date of 6 August 2025.
New Resource Management Act National Direction
The release of the four packages for consultation to inform development of national direction under the Resource Management system are no doubt keeping many organisations busy. The draft National Policy Statement for Infrastructure is particularly welcome. This set of national direction takes on even more importance with the indication that these will also flow through into the Phase 3 RMA replacement legislation. A key question for many will be how these individual National policy Statements and National Environmental Standards interact and provide clarity for the local authorities implementing them.
The Government has also released its Going for Housing Growth Pillar 1 proposals for consultation and how they could work in the new resource management system. Pillar 1 is all about freeing up land for urban development, including removing unnecessary planning barriers, and will sit alongside two other pillars based on supporting growth. Cabinet has decided it will be implemented during the next stage of the resource management reform programme, the legislation for which is under development.
INZ will be making a submission on both of these reforms and would welcome your feedback. Please email Michelle, our Policy Director (michelle.mccormick@infrastructure.org.nz).
INZ Policy Development
Delivering Next Generation Infrastructure in Aotearoa
Infrastructure New Zealand and Connexa have jointly released, Delivering Next Generation Infrastructure: How Global Investment and Local Innovation are Shaping Aotearoa’s Digital Future. The report highlights how foreign direct investment is enabling the delivery of world-class mobile telecommunications infrastructure across New Zealand and offers lessons that can be applied to other parts of the infrastructure sector as New Zealand seeks to attract new foreign direct investment.
The report explores how Connexa, now New Zealand’s largest mobile tower infrastructure company, has scaled rapidly since 2022 and now manages more than 2,450 tower sites, with 800 more planned over the next eight years. Connexa’s success is underpinned by this committed project pipeline and strategic international investment partners. It delivers critical infrastructure for New Zealanders quickly and efficiently using innovative modular and standardised design solutions and a modern approach to workforce culture and planning.
The Connexa story shows what’s possible when forward-thinking delivery models are combined with long-term investment. There’s a great opportunity for New Zealand to learn from positive examples like Connexa and apply those lessons more broadly.
The report was launched at two events in Auckland and Wellington, where attendees from across the sector explored how the Connexa experience can inform New Zealand’s response to its infrastructure deficit. The report is available here.
Building Better: What New Zealand Can Learn from Canada’s Infrastructure Approach
New Zealand’s infrastructure challenges are mounting, but lessons from Canada offer a compelling roadmap. Infrastructure New Zealand’s 2025 delegation saw 32 senior leaders’ jet to Canada to look at inspirational infrastructure ideas. Kicking off in Toronto, the delegation travelled by train to Ottawa and on to Montreal, in each city making site visits and meeting with thought leaders, politicians, funders, indigenous leaders and many others. The scenic train trips provided the delegation with time to reflect and discuss lessons for Aotearoa. It wasn’t all perfect, Canada has faced many of the same problems as New Zealand but is finding ways to move forward.
Strategy must come before shovel-ready lists. Canada builds around a national vision of housing, resilience, and inclusion – not just affordability. New Zealand needs similar clarity to guide long-term investment and bipartisan commitment beyond election cycles.
Early collaboration beats rigid contracting. Canada is shifting from what it views as inflexible PPPs to more progressive models like design-build alliances. The insight? Success depends less on the delivery model, and more on trust, early alignment, and project-specific strategies.
Whole-of-life thinking stood out. Canada plans for the long term, factoring operations, maintenance, and sustainability from day one. By contrast, New Zealand often defaults to the cheapest upfront option, costing more over time.
Finally, infrastructure must be celebrated for what it delivers – jobs, homes, and resilience – not just what it costs. Canada tracks and communicates these benefits. The lesson being that New Zealand needs to talk less about the costs and more about the benefits.
“The most expensive project is the one we never build.”
A detailed report on the delegation’s findings will be published and revealed at events in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland in mid-July.
Connecting Canterbury
Work continues on taking forward the ideas that were generated at the April workshop where INZ partnered with Simpson Grierson across four key issues as they relate to Canterbury:
- Improving Transport Connectivity
- Funding Infrastructure Improvements
- Supporting Local Councils
- Strengthening Bridge Infrastructure
We are working to develop a White Paper which can be used to inform a future regional deal for Canterbury.
Media
INZ continues to attract media interest with our various media releases, opinion pieces, and interviews. Media coverage included INZ commentary on the Health Infrastructure Plan, the Australian election and the impact on New Zealand businesses, jobs and projects, PPPs, Transpower’s Cook Strait cable investment proposal, relaxation of the capitalisation rules for investors, expectations and reactions to Budget 2025, including the Investor Boost provisions, the decision not to toll Te Ahu a Turanga – the new Manawatū–Tararua Highway Media, and councils decisions to date on their water services delivery models.
You can read our media releases here.
Future Proofing New Zealand: The 2050 Local Government Forum
Infrastructure New Zealand and The Post, with support from Aurecon recently presented a forum on the future of local government, attended by 150 stakeholders and livestreamed on The Post.
The forum included presentations by Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, Local Government Minister Simon Watts, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Labour’s local government spokesperson Tangi Utikere, as well as a panel discussion with local government experts. Some fascinating insights were gained on where the various politicians and parties are on the relationship between central and local government and the future of local government more generally.
David Seymour discussed some of the issues facing councils as they deal with having only one major funding tool, the additional development contribution mechanisms being developed by the Government and comparisons with overseas jurisdictions.
Watts revealed that he is working on a rates cap model as National and the Government remain concerned about the significant rates increases experienced by ratepayers in recent years. He emphasised that the model needed be designed to allow regions that are growing to do so without a rates cap being a constraint.
Shane Jones emphasised NZ First’s position to remove regional councils on the basis that New Zealanders are over-governed by too many different governmental units. He also expressed support for council amalgamations and the removal of the need to obtain consents for existing vital infrastructure.
Tangi Utikere reinforced Labour’s commitment to support local government and ensure a true partnership is maintained with central government. Labour remains steadfast in its position on the provision of water services and does not wish to see any concessions over those. He also expressed support for regional deals but wants to see the establishment of those accelerated.
The expert panel featured Porirua Mayor Anita Baker, Campbell Barry, Mayor of Lower Hutt, Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale and INZ CE Nick Leggett. Panellists reflected on the positive consequences that could come from council amalgamations, the steps being taken by some councils, such as Porirua to engage voters on the amalgamation question, and the longer-term funding challenges faced by all local councils. Nick spoke of INZ’s recent delegation to Canada and the positive tension he saw between federal, provincial and city governments over there.
You can watch a replay of the livestream here.
Manawatū Tararua Highway a Missed Opportunity for Tolling
The opening of Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway marks a major step forward for safety and connectivity in the lower North Island. However, Infrastructure New Zealand believes the Government has missed an important opportunity by choosing not to toll the new route.
“Tolling a new highway isn’t about penalising the users of that road or the communities in the area,” said Chief Executive Nick Leggett. “It’s about being honest about the ongoing costs required to ensure the responsible management of the asset and ensuring that those who benefit from the road are making a direct contribution to its delivery and maintenance.”
Infrastructure New Zealand’s position is that all new state highways and expressways should be tolled as part of a fair and transparent ‘user pays’ approach to funding our roading network. Tolling helps cover the long-term maintenance and resilience costs of major roads, ensures those who directly benefit from a road contribute to its management, and protects the sustainability of the National Land Transport Fund for future investments.
Read Infrastructure New Zealand’s media release on the opening of the new highway and our position on tolling here.
Welcoming New Members
Nau mai haere mai, welcome, to our new Infrastructure New Zealand members. We’re so glad to have you on board and look forward to continuing to engage with you.
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