Advocacy and Engagement Update September 2025
Legislation and Other Submissions
This month has seen a slight slowing in the government consultation stream, but several significant developments remain on the horizon.
Resource Management Reform
There is considerable anticipation around the introduction of the replacement Resource Management Act legislation, the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. Both are on track to be introduced before Christmas. Minister Bishop has already acknowledged that the submission period will inevitably cover the summer holiday period and apologised for this intrusion.
We also look forward to seeing the next phase of the Going for Housing Growth Pillars 2 & 3, which will focus on Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act improvements and incentivising communities and councils with legislative amendments. Those are due to be introduced later in the year.
Submissions
Recently Infrastructure New Zealand has submitted in support of the tolling proposal for SH1 Belfast to Pegasus Motorway including the Woodend Bypass north of Christchurch. The reality is, we need direct user pays for these significant new roading projects where they meet the requirements of our tolling provisions.
We have also submitted on the Government Policy Statement on Housing and Urban Development (GPS- HUD) 2025. The alignment of housing growth with infrastructure capacity is critical.
You can read these submissions here.
Local Government Legislation
A notable Bill introduced to the House this month is the Local Government (Auckland Council)(Transport Governance) Amendment Bill. Awaiting its first reading, this legislation delivers on campaign commitments by Mayor Wayne Brown to reform Auckland’s transport governance. The Bill proposes:
- Establishing an Auckland Regional Transport Committee to lead strategic transport planning.
- Transferring most transport functions from Auckland Transport to Auckland Council.
- Allocating decision-making for local transport to Auckland’s local boards, and reforming the role and functions of Auckland Transport.
Other Policy Work
Infrastructure New Zealand was a signatory to a joint letter, to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Scott Simpson, advocating for reform of the New Zealand Standards model. The letter, led by Engineering New Zealand, highlighted the need for a more effective, sustainable, and accessible standards system. This reform is particularly important as standards are set to play an increasingly central role within the Government’s reform agenda, both in strengthening infrastructure planning and delivery, and in shaping the proposed changes to the building sector.
Local Government Business Forum
Infrastructure New Zealand is an active member of the Local Government Business Forum (LGBF) along with other organisations that have a vital interest in the activities of local government. Established in 1994, its members include Business New Zealand, Federated Farmers of New Zealand, New Zealand Forest Owners Association, New Zealand Initiative, New Zealand Business Chamber, the Retirement Villages Association of New Zealand. It was established to promote greater efficiency in local government and to contribute to debate on relevant policy issues.
We all know that local government funding is unsustainable in its current form. The current election campaign highlights the widespread pain that people are feeling due to escalating rates across the country. Local government own over a quarter of the infrastructure in Aotearoa and are at the forefront of growth pressure. While the Future of Local Government report and its recommendations have been gathering dust since 2023, the issues canvassed have not gone away. In fact, they have grown in magnitude. We have seen some new ripples stemming from the implementation of Local Water Done Well. The next wave of pressure from the regional spatial plan will further shine the light on the role and number of local authorities.
Infrastructure New Zealand has an article looking at the impact of a proposed rates cap on infrastructure. You can read this in the LGBF newsletter.
Masterclasses
The first of our two Masterclasses – PPP and Private Finance – was held in Auckland this month and was very well attended. We are extremely fortunate to have international experts Professor Martin Locke from Sydney University and expert Ian Greer sharing their knowledge and expertise as New Zealand once again seeks to build its capability in this space.
Media
We have had significant media coverage of the launch of our report on the economic and social benefits of Transmission Gully and Kāpiti Expressways. We think it is very important that the sector tells the story about what infrastructure provides for its communities and the difference it makes in everyday life. Too often the focus is just on the funding side of the equation. We need to be more diligent in conducting post construction evaluations and sharing these transparently with the public who are our funders.
Over the last month, Infrastructure New Zealand was also interviewed in relation to the select committee report back on the proposal to move to a four-year Parliamentary term, supporting a term extension for both central and local government. BusinessDesk published a story on our letter to Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith, sent back in June, regarding the industry’s concerns around the progress of the court build programme. The Justice Property Partnership Model had been presented at March’s Infrastructure Investment Summit to prospective international investors as an upcoming opportunity but was then not part of Budget 2025, disappointing potential investors and others in the industry.
You can read our media releases here.
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