As we approach the end of 2022, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the advocacy work and engagement that Infrastructure New Zealand has undertaken this year.
Debate and action on infrastructure has been at the heart of the New Zealand agenda, and has rightfully been identified as a solution to some of our largest challenges – from transport to innovation to climate change to job creation.
Achievements have been plentiful and have been made possible by the input and collaboration from our members:
- We published submissions on eight policy issues. Most recently on the Drury development contributions, inter-regional passenger rail, and Waka Kotahi and the Ministry of Transport’s re-shaping streets proposal. Our highest priority submissions this year have included those on the Emissions Reduction Plan, the Draft National Adaptation Plan, and our future Resource Management System.
- We commissioned a report that, for the first time in New Zealand, quantified the cost of delays to decision making: Great Decisions are Timely: Benefits from more Efficient Infrastructure Investment Decision-Making. This report highlighted a mentality to kick the can down the road on big infrastructure decisions, heightened by inadequate funding, complex planning processes, and a culture of politically-based second guessing. An overall system that impacts poorly on our society and does not save us money. The report was well covered in the media including appearances from INZ on Three’s AM breakfast show, Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking’s show and in ZB news bulletins across the morning.
- Across Infrastructure New Zealand, The Women in Infrastructure and The Infrastructure Collective Networks, we’ve facilitated 52 events throughout the country.
- We have published seven editions of InfraRead this year.
- On the digital communications front we’re now seeing an average of 4,300 user visits to our website every month, and have grown a social media following of more than 13,250 people on LinkedIn.
- We’ve appeared in hundreds of items across a range of key news outlets, including in TV and radio interviews. Media continues to be an important tool for us in reaching stakeholders and the general public to advance our goals.
- We now have around 130 member organisations, and we value each of you as leaders from diverse sectors around New Zealand.
Looking ahead, 2023 is already shaping up to be a critical year for our sector:
- In the first quarter of next year, submissions on the Resource Management Bills will close on 5 February. This will be closely followed by the deadline for submissions on the Future for Local Government draft report, which will be on 28 February.
- Midway through next year, we will move from ambition to action at Building Nations 2023 being held on 7 and 8 June at Christchurch’s Te Pae Convention Centre. We’ll look at the practicalities of delivering the infrastructure that New Zealanders urgently need within the context of massive system change. Focusing on the delivery of plans to address our infrastructure deficit, we’ll come together to commit to bold action as we head into a national election.
- We’ll continue work with Te Waihanga to progress the Funding and Finance working group workstream and our capital funds consolidation work.
- We’ll be looking to hold more events outside of Auckland, and more sector/topic-specific ones. There will be more leaders’ lunches, and we’re looking at the possibility of an international delegation.
We thank all of our members for their ongoing support and input as we continue to advocate for the infrastructure sector.
We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season and a great start to the new year.
Meri Kirihimete me te Hape Nū Ia!