On Wednesday 22 April, the Government announced a refresh of how infrastructure projects are assessed with a bigger role for the NZ Infrastructure Commission at the centre of it.
Under the changes, the Commission will take on responsibility for coordinating independent assurance of major infrastructure projects. In simple terms, that means bringing expert, independent scrutiny in much earlier, before projects gather momentum and giving Ministers clearer, more decisive advice on whether proposals should proceed. A new two-page “Fitness Assessment” will also accompany major business cases, helping put projects in context and making it easier to compare options. These fitness assessments will also be open for public scrutiny.
For the infrastructure sector, the implications are significant. Stronger upfront scrutiny should mean fewer poorly scoped or unrealistic projects entering the pipeline and, importantly, less of the stop-start cycle that has characterised delivery in recent years. The intention is a more stable, credible pipeline of projects that are actually ready to be delivered.
Property Council welcomes the direction of these changes. In our submission on the National Infrastructure Plan, we advocated for this kind of independent assurance to strengthen oversight of long-term investment planning and lift the quality of decision-making.
However, assurance at the project selection stage is only part of the picture.
There is still work to do to ensure the same level of discipline is applied to how assets are maintained and managed over time. As highlighted in our submission, ongoing issues with deferred maintenance and short-term budget pressures can undermine even well-selected projects. We have called for a more robust, system-wide approach to asset management. In particular, there is an opportunity to build on the Commission’s enhanced role to ensure long-term asset stewardship is treated as seriously as upfront investment decisions.
This announcement is a positive step toward better infrastructure outcomes but it’s not the end of the road. We will continue to advocate for a system that not only selects the right projects, but also ensures they are properly maintained, managed, and delivering value over their full lifecycle.
Author | Bella Leddy
As an Advocacy Advisor, Bella supports the development of policy and advocacy initiatives that reflect the real-world experience of our members.
With a Bachelor of Laws and Politics from Otago University and previous experience as a policy intern at the Department of Internal Affairs, Bella brings both a sharp analytical mind and a genuine passion for public policy. She’s particularly energised by engaging with members to ensure our advocacy is grounded in industry insight and practical solutions.
Extroverted, thoughtful and service-focused, Bella thrives in roles that connect people and ideas. Outside the office, she channels her energy into teaching group fitness classes – including yoga, pilates and spin – and is always up for a good political yarn.
