Programme
| 7.00 | REGISTRATION OPENS BREAKFAST AND NETWORKING | |
SESSION 1: LIFTING THE VISION FOR AOTEAROA Session Chair: Jack Tame, Building Nations MC | ||
| 8.30 | Mihi whakatau Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei | |
| 8.40 | Opening Address from Infrastructure New Zealand Session Chair: Jack Tame, Building Nations MC Tracey Ryan, Chair, Infrastructure New Zealand Board | |
| 8.50 | Premier Sponsor Welcome Antonia Watson, Group Executive and CEO, ANZ New Zealand |  |
| 09.00 | Government Address Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, | |
| 9.05 | Infrastructure Decision Making Amid Growing Polarisation Professor Francis Fukuyama, Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow, Stanford University | |
| 9.40 | Growing Future Leaders in Infrastructure Diversity, inclusion, and equity is crucial for fostering innovation, enhancing decision-making, and ensuring that the needs and perspectives of all communities are represented in the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure. We encourage our people to think differently, bringing diversity of thought, together with experiences, to the table. In an increasingly complex industry, the ability to draw on a wide range of perspectives is not just beneficial – it’s an essential for success. Join Laressa Mills, Dentons and former Chair of The Infrastructure Collective, and Kaenan Ferguson, current Co-Chair of The Infrastructure Collective Auckland Chapter, as they talk about diversity in infrastructure. They will also discuss the impact of mentoring for young professionals in the infrastructure sector, and the difference mentors can have in career growth and success. Laressa Mills, Senior Associate, Dentons Kaenan Ferguson, Co-Chair, The Infrastructure Collective Auckland Chapter, Assistant Project Manager, Tactical Connect |  |
| 9.50 | MORNING TEA |   |
SESSION 2: DELIVERING SYSTEM CHANGE Session Chair: Jack Tame, Building Nations MC | ||
| 10.20 | International Lessons on System Change Implementation – What Does it Take to Get it Right? Infrastructure can be a great catalyst for change. In the right place at the right time, infrastructure can open up new possibilities that improve lives, solve big problems and transition the economy. But infrastructure on its own is not enough. What drives real change takes so much more. From around the world come lessons and examples of how genuine system change takes planning, co-operation, big picture thinking and action that goes well beyond the delivery of just the infrastructure itself. And sometimes, it also requires faith that the social and business potential unshackled by new infrastructure will be realised. Tony Canavan, Global Transport Leader, Government and Public Sector, EY |  |
| 10.50 | Minister for Infrastructure Address Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Infrastructure | |
| 11.20 | Infrastructure Commission Address The demands on our infrastructure are ramping up. Not only do we want to get where we are going as fast and safely as possible on uncongested and well-maintained networks, but we also want to do it while reducing carbon emissions with infrastructure that can withstand the effects of changing weather patterns (but are easy to reinstate if needed). We want to give a hand up to the most disadvantaged and increase housing supply, but without annoying the neighbours in the process. And we want our infrastructure investment to be well signalled years in advance, while fitting within prudent fiscal limits. It’s a lot to ask. So, if we can’t do it all, what should we do? And how does a National Infrastructure Plan help? Geoff Cooper, Acting Chief Executive, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga | |
| 11.50 | Premier Sponsor Address: ANZ Economic Update The RBNZ has now kicked off the easing cycle. How far, how fast? Sharon will sift the latest tea leaves for signals regarding what lies ahead. Sharon Zollner, Chief Economist, ANZ New Zealand | |
| 17.20 | LUNCH | |
LEADERS’ LUNCH Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Infrastructure Hon Simeon Brown, Minister of Transport |  | |
SESSION 3A: CENTRING EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS (CONCURRENT) Session Chair: Jack Tame, Building Nations MC | ||
| 1.20 | Panel Discussion: Developing and refining the Public Private Partnership model and other infrastructure financing tools in New Zealand The challenges and impediments to infrastructure delivery in New Zealand are well-known. A mature conversation on infrastructure, how we finance and fund it, and how we get the most out of the relationship between central government, local government and the private sector is needed to delivery better infrastructure faster. The Funding and Financing Working Group has engaged with the sector over the past year, culminating in Infrastructure New Zealand presenting a number of recommendations to refine and develop infrastructure financing models to enable the private sector capability and capacity to be harnessed to support the delivery of New Zealand’s infrastructure pipeline. Our panellists will be discussing the outputs of the report and their views on how the recommendations can help make these models sustainable for New Zealand, and drive better outcomes for infrastructure projects. Facilitator: Susan Lucking, Head of Infrastructure, Government & Specialised Finance, BNZ Bevan Peachey, Partner, Russell McVeagh Quintin Blackburn, Senior Principal in Project Delivery, Beca Isabelle Whitehead, Director, Origination, Plenary Group Mark Evans, CEO, HEB Construction |  |
| 2.00 | Panel Discussion: Uplifting Public Sector Procurement and Delivery Capability Facilitator: Ross Copland, Director, Southern Infrastructure Helen Kerr,General Manager Infrastructure, Crown Infrastructure Partners Nicole Rosie, Chief Executive, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Paul Stocks, Deputy CE, Building, Resources & Markets, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Leilani Frew, Deputy Secretary, Financial and Commercial, The Treasury New Zealand | |
| 2.40 | Panel Discussion: Funding the Deficit In this panel discussion, expert panelists will discuss the funding challenges we must overcome in order to pay for the infrastructure our communities need, and opportunities to refine the funding toolkit. Facilitator: Josh Cairns, Partner, Simpson Grierson James Gill, Director, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Alistair Birchall, Head of Transactions, The Treasury Karen Mitchell, Principal, KPMG |  |
SESSION 3B: MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE – WHERE TO FROM HERE? (CONCURRENT) Session Chair: Angela Young, Chair – Waikato Chapter, Women’s Infrastructure Network | ||
| 1.20 | Green Party Address Hon Julie Anne Genter, Spokesperson for Transport, Infrastructure, Urban Development, State Owned Enterprises and Building and Construction, Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand | |
| 2.00 | Leveraging Private Capital for Infrastructure Resilience and Decarbonisation In Government, New Zealand’s former Minister for Climate Change was highly focused on increasing the flow of capital towards decarbonising the economy. Now in the private sector, he is continuing that work. James Shaw will share how he was engaged with the investment community during his political career and is now leveraging those relationships and his expertise to drive the next generation of investment opportunities at one of the world’s pioneering infrastructure investors, Morrison. Founded in New Zealand, the now global manager is driven by its purpose of investing wisely in ideas that matter, with the energy transition being one of today’s most enduring themes shaping economies, industries and societies. Hon James Shaw, Operating Partner, Morrison | |
| 2.40 | Panel Discussion: Collaboration Across Private and Public Investment will Deliver Better Outcomes If we are to truly raise the productivity of our industry, deliver more resilient infrastructure and decarbonize our industry then we need to break down siloes and leverage off our collective expertise. We all bring our strengths to the table and so we need to work together to deliver more positive economic, environmental and social outcomes. Facilitator: Angela Young, Chair, Waikato Women’s Infrastructure Network Chapter |  |
| 3.20 | AFTERNOON TEA | |
SESSION 4: CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND DISASTER RECOVERY – THE CASE FOR CLARITY AND COORDINATION Session Chair: Jack Tame, Building Nations MC | ||
| 3.40 | International Lessons in Climate Resilience Join us for a session on international lessons in climate resilience, acknowledging that we are all in this together and can learn from each other – whether it’s a small island in the Pacific or a bustling metropolis in the USA. Our discussion will touch on the process of developing comprehensive adaptation strategies in the face of climate change, underscoring the importance of solid planning to instil confidence in communities, stakeholders, and investors alike. You’ll learn the value of acting now, rather than waiting for perfect data, through the optimal use of available information. Our conversation will cover affordable and scalable solutions to build resilience, continuing risk management, and the vital role of community-wide and led initiatives. Together, we will navigate these dynamic times of change toward a more resilient future. Facilitator: Jack Tame, Building Nations MC Richard Reinen-Hamill, Sector Director – Natural Hazard Resilience, Technical Director Coastal Engineering, Tonkin + Taylor |  |
| 4.10 | Panel Discussion: Towards a Consistent Adaptation and Retreat Framework Facilitator: Jack Tame, Building Nations MC Jimmy Scott, General Manager Integration and Coordination, Queensland Reconstruction Authority Nadeine Dommisse, Deputy Secretary – Environmental Management and Adaptation, Ministry for the Environment | Manatū mō te Taiao | |
| 4.50 | Minister of Climate Change Address Hon Simon Watts, Minister of Climate Change | |
| 5.20 | Day One Conclusion and Evening Announcements Nick Leggett, Chief Executive, Infrastructure New Zealand | |
| 5:30 | PRE DINNER NETWORKING FUNCTION |  |
| 7:15 | GALA DINNER |  |
| 10:00 | POST DINNER NETWORKING FUNCTION |  |
| 8.00 | BREAKFAST AND NETWORKING | |
SESSION 5: BUILDING LOCAL DELIVERY CAPABILITY Session Chair: Jack Tame, Building Nations MC | ||
| 8.55 | Opening Address Tracey Ryan, Chair, Infrastructure New Zealand Board | |
| 9.00 | Minister of Transport Address Hon Simeon Brown, Minister of Transport | |
| 9.30 | The Way Forward for Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland | |
| 10.00 | What Does it Take to Deliver Infrastructure at Scale? Looking at the main principles for delivering programmes of major projects in Australia and Europe, what do we recommend for Aotearoa New Zealand to improve productivity and standards of living. Lauren Jewell, Aurecon’s Industry Director – Precincts, will give a high level overview of the scale of major programmes of investment being delivered in Australia. Tuhi Isaachsen, Aurecon’s Industry Director – Community & Place, will then join Lauren on stage for a discussion on how the main principles of major investment programmes across Australia and Europe could be translated to Aotearoa New Zealand, together with giving a recommended approach to pipeline, strategic partnerships and certainty of funding. Lauren Jewell, Industry Director – Precincts, Aurecon Tuhi Isaachsen, Industry Director – Community & Place, Aurecon |  |
| 10.30 | MORNING TEA |  |
SESSION 6A: DESIGNING A SYSTEM THAT DELIVERS (CONCURRENT) Session Chair: Jack Tame, Building Nations MC | ||
| 11.00 | Reflections on UK Devolution Rt Hon Lord Heseltine of Thenford CH In conversation with Nick Leggett, Chief Executive, Infrastructure New Zealand | |
| 11.30 | Panel Discussion: Private Sector Perspectives: Collaborating to Invest in New Zealand’s Future How we build robust strategic infrastructure partnerships and how we can better entice institutional investors to invest in New Zealand. Join us as we discuss the path forward for building the foundations for sustainable, high-quality infrastructure delivery. Facilitator: Mayurie Gunatilaka, New Zealand Country Leader, Arup Andre Noonan, Chief Operating Officer, ACCIONA AU & NZ Scott Markwick, General Manager, Infrastructure Origination, Dexus Hannah Crosby, Director, Corporate Finance, ANZ |  |
| 12.10 | Opposition Leader Address Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, Leader of the Opposition | |
SESSION 6B: DRIVING PRODUCTIVITY UPLIFT (CONCURRENT) Session Chair: Arden Hermans, Chair – Northland Chapter, Women’s Infrastructure Network | ||
| 11.00 | F1 technology to drive the success of your infrastructure projects Formula 1 is a sport often described as being driven by data; teams are obsessed with analysis and minute details that could give them a competitive advantage on the track. It’s commonly accepted that technology already has or will have a significant role to play in supporting New Zealand’s growth and infrastructure needs. Making construction industries more and more data-driven will ensure that decisions for major infrastructure projects can be made using the latest data and technology. So, what can you learn from Formula 1 that accelerates performance and productivity in project execution? In Formula 1, races are won or lost on the smallest of margins, where every tenth of a second counts with a high reliance on data and technology. In this session, learn how you can discern the value and benefits of data and information in project controls, and how to apply these learnings to your own project controls practices and make improvements to boost team productivity and drive successful infrastructure projects. Rogier Roelvink, Customer and Industry Value Engagement Director, Oracle |  |
| 11.30 | Panel Discussion: Designing for Whole of Asset Life Maintaining a better future for New Zealand: Asset Management, Maintenance and Operations are critical elements in delivering a prosperous New Zealand for all our communities. Facilitator: Damian Pedreschi, Executive General Manager New Zealand, Ventia Mark Ryall, Executive General Manager of Grid Delivery, Transpower New Zealand |  |
| 12.10 | Panel Discussion: Towards an Effective and Productive Workforce Facilitator: Stacey Millar, Executive Manager Strategy & Innovation, Hynds Erica Cumming, GM Engagement and Partnerships, Waihanga Ara Rau |  |
| 12.50 | LUNCH | |
LEADERS’ LUNCH Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, Leader of the Opposition Shanan Halbert MP, Spokesperson for Auckland, Labour Party | | |
SESSION 7A: BUILDING SOCIAL LICENCE (CONCURRENT) Session Chair: Jack Tame, Building Nations MC | ||
| 1.40 | What Rail Brings to NZ Inc. Peter’s presentation will explore KiwiRail’s operations and services, the scale of their current network investments, the complexities they face and how they are transforming to better meet their customers’ needs despite global economic challenges. Peter Reidy, CEO, KiwiRail | |
| 2.10 | Time of Use Charging – International Lessons on Implementation How did Stockholm and Gothenburg turn their traffic crises around with smart pricing strategies? What can we learn from the hurdles faced by cities like Cambridge and New York in the rollout of congestion charging or time-of-use schemes? International experts from WSP and industry panellists will reveal how a well-designed congestion scheme can enhance productivity, cut emissions, and make commutes faster and more reliable. Using lessons learned from overseas, the panel will explore how to get the community on board and how to implement a scheme like this in an equitable way. Join us for what will be an eye-opening session on congestion charging that will shift your perspective as we explore innovative solutions for a fair, effective, and environmentally friendly approach to urban congestion. Facilitator: Grant Hodges, Director Strategic Advisory, WSP Anne Bardsley, Deputy Director, Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures Mark Lambert, Executive Programme Director – Strategic Programmes, Auckland Transport Nadine Dodge, Principal Economist, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga Robyn Elston, National Manager, System Design, NZTA Waka Kotahi |  |
| 2.50 | Delivering Beyond the Brief – What Else Can Infrastructure Achieve? Designing with Outcomes in Mind – Placemaking in Focus The development of new infrastructure is critical to the efficient operation of our cities. But, as designers, we know that roads and railways are not just about transportation—they are a catalyst for greater opportunities for community. This session explores both local and global exemplars of infrastructure projects that have gone beyond their core functions to create significant social and environmental impacts and value. We will consider how we can enable more of these successes in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Facilitator: Jack Tame, Building Nations MC Thomas Hale, Principal, Warren and Mahoney Mark Fraser, General Manager, Urban Development Delivery, Kāinga Ora Simon Light, Chief Executive Officer, EMEA, GHD |  |
SESSION 7B: GETTING THE MODEL RIGHT FOR NEW ZEALAND’S FUTURE (CONCURRENT) Session Chair: Sharon Dines, Chair – Auckland Chapter, Women’s Infrastructure Network | ||
| 1.40 | Panel Discussion: Learnings from 2024 INZ Delegations Infrastructure New Zealand took two delegations of senior infrastructure leaders to Denmark, Ireland and Northern Ireland, and England and Wales this year. The study tours were focussed on how advanced economies of a similar size to New Zealand have achieved greater political consensus on a shared national vision and plan for infrastructure, and how devolution – including city and regional deals, and water regulation, funding and service provision settings have evolved in the UK. In this session, delegates will share their experience and insights as we discuss the way forward for New Zealand. Facilitator: Martina Moroney, Advocacy and Strategy Lead, Infrastructure New Zealand Mair Brooks, Partner, KPMG Jennifer Caldwell, Partner, National Chair, Buddle Findlay Angela Harford, Partner, Bell Gully Ceinwen McNeil, Director, Government and Innovation, Aurecon Christine Jones, General Manager, Strategy, Growth & Governance, Tauranga City Council | |
| 2.20 | Panel Discussion: Next Steps for Water Facilitator: Anna Crosbie, Partner & Head of Construction, Russell McVeagh Khareedi Suman Kumar, Infrastructure Business Manager, Babbage Consultants Allan Prangnell, Chief Executive, Taumata Arowai Hamiora Bowkett, Executive Director Water Services Policy, Department of Internal Affairs | |
| 3.00 | Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Address Hon Barbara Edmonds, Spokesperson for Infrastructure, Labour Party | |
| 3.30 | AFTERNOON TEA | |
SESSION 8: RESHAPING INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY Session Chair: Jack Tame, Building Nations MC | ||
| 3.50 | Measuring Success: The Evolution of Cities and the Role of Innovation and Data in Measuring Growth Introduced by Chloe Williams, National Manager for Innovation and Digital Engineering, Fulton Hogan Professor Edward Glaeser, Fred and Eleanor Glimp Professor of Economics and the Chairman of the Department of Economics, Harvard University |  |
| 4.30 | Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Infrastructure Address Simon Court MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Infrastructure | |
| 5.00 | Closing Remarks Nick Leggett, Chief Executive, Infrastructure New Zealand | |
| 5.10 | DAY TWO CONCLUSION |