Back in February, we welcomed the release of the National Infrastructure Plan as a long-overdue shift toward more disciplined, evidence-based infrastructure planning.
Four months later, the Government has formally responded and, importantly, it has supported all 16 recommendations put forward by the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, either in full or in principle, and attached work programmes and timelines to many of them. The conversation is now shifting from strategy to implementation.
A welcome step toward bipartisan planning
For years, the infrastructure sector has called for greater certainty and less political volatility. That’s why Property Council was pleased to see forewords from both Labour and the Green Party included alongside the Government’s response. While differences remain on individual policies, there is broad support for the long-term direction set out by the Commission.
A welcome step toward bipartisan planning
One of the strongest themes running through both the Plan and the Government’s response is a renewed focus on asset management and maintenance. Property Council has consistently argued that selecting the right projects is only part of the challenge. Governments must also be good stewards of the assets they already own.
The Infrastructure Commission identified significant weaknesses in asset management, including deferred maintenance, poor asset information and a lack of long-term planning. The Government has now agreed to require capital-intensive agencies to prepare long-term investment and asset management plans, report on asset performance and improve stewardship of public assets. Legislation for this is expected early 2027.
A stronger Infrastructure Commission
Property Council has long supported a greater independent assurance role for the Infrastructure Commission, and it is encouraging to see that direction reinforced.
The Commission will assume responsibility for independent assurance of major infrastructure projects and take on a greater role overseeing long-term investment and asset management planning.
Combined with new Investment Decision Assurance processes and greater ministerial oversight, these changes should improve project selection, strengthen governance and help deliver a more credible pipeline of projects, making sure our money goes where it is most needed.
Certainty for growth remains critical
While the Plan rightly places greater emphasis on maintenance and renewals, it is equally important that New Zealand continues investing in growth-enabling infrastructure. All infrastructure providers will be required to maintain up to date data in the National Infrastructure pipeline and the Government will look at multi-year budget funding for projects in the pipeline.
The National Infrastructure Plan reinforces several reforms important to Property Council members, including planning reform, spatial planning, infrastructure funding reform and better alignment between land-use planning and infrastructure investment. With many of these initiatives already underway, the challenge now is successful implementation, ensuring the various workstreams align and collectively provide a clear and predictable pathway for investment and development.
What should members expect next?
Over the next 12 months, key developments include:
- The Infrastructure Commission taking over responsibility for major project assurance from November 2026.
- New requirements for long-term asset management and investment planning reporting requirements across government agencies legislation expected early 2027.
- Before election, progression of the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill, which are expected to replace the Resource Management Act.
- Continued work on Going for Housing Growth and intensification around key transport corridors.
- The Minister for Infrastructure’s formal progress report back to Cabinet in June 2027.
There is still a long road ahead, but stronger governance, better asset stewardship, more rigorous project assurance and a greater focus on long-term planning are all reforms Property Council has consistently advocated for. Most importantly, the continued move toward a more stable and bipartisan approach provides the certainty our sector needs to invest, plan and build for the future.
Development levies: what’s happening and what we’re pushing for
Opinion | Why Global Capital Chooses New Zealand
Government commits to National Infrastructure Plan
A fresh look at funding for Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Health15 at the Residential Development Summit: the results are in (and it’s not great news)
